Anjaan Death Anniversary: If someone asks you if you know Lalji Pandey, you might have to rack your brain, but if someone asks you if you know âAnjaanâ, you must have heard this name. Yes, we are talking about the famous lyricist Anjaan.
Lalji Pandey alias Anjan impressed people with his poems and songs. He used sweet Bhojpuri and Purvanchal words in his songs. This is the reason why people who listened to his songs enjoyed it a lot. Let us tell you that famous lyricist Sameer Anjan is his son.
Who was âAnjaanâ?
But the world could not know Lalji Pandey by this name. Actually his friends had given him a nickname âAnjaanâ and this name gave him his real identity. He had no connection with art, he was a student of commerce but his pen was so skilled that whatever words he wrote started echoing in the air.
Singer Mukesh had discovered âAnjaanâ
In true sense, this rare diamond which the film world of Mumbai got was the discovery of singer Mukesh. Mukesh had once come to Banaras for his programme and here on someoneâs request he heard some lines written by Anjaan from his mouth and then told him that you should write songs for films.
Anjaan ji wanted to go to Mumbai because he did not like the climate of Banaras anyway, and on top of that, his asthma was restricting his breathing. In such a situation, the doctors were also advising him to leave this city if he wanted to stay alive.
In such a situation, ailing Anjan left Banaras for Mumbai. Mumbai also could not take care of Anjan. The city of dreams made him wander from door to door. Anjan spent many nights sleeping in trains because he had no place to hide his head. He would sleep on a bed placed under an apartment.
How did âAnjaanâ get his first break?
If you work hard, success is sure to come, even if it is delayed. The year was 1953. Premnath was making âPrisoner of Golcondaâ. At that time, Mukesh sahab remembered Anjaan and arranged a meeting between him and Premnath.
After this, he wrote a song for a film for the first time as a lyricist. Although the film flopped badly, Anjaan kept getting work, yet he kept struggling for name and fame. There was no reduction in his struggles.
Then in 1963, the film âGodaanâ was released whose songs were written by Anjaan. One of its songs âPipra ke patwa sarikha dole manwa, ki jiyara me utha hilor, hiya jarat rahat din rain ho Rama, jarat rahat din rainâ brought recognition to Anjaanâs name but his bank balance remained the same even then.
When Anjaanâs song got Rafiâs voice
After this Guru Dutt thought of making a film âBahare Phir Bhi Aayengiâ, its songs were being written by Kaifi Azmi, Shevan Rizvi and Aziz Kashmiri. Meanwhile Guru Dutt died suddenly and the production of the film was stopped.
Then his brother Atmaram took the responsibility of completing this film. Anjaan got the job of writing two songs of the film. One of these songs âAapke Haseen Rukh Pe Aaj Naya Noor Hai, Mera Dil Machal Gaya To Mera Kya Kusoor Haiâ was sung by Rafi Saheb. This song created a stir with the release of the film.
How did the unknownâs luck open?
Then Anjan wrote songs for GP Sippyâs film Bandhan (1970) with Kalyanji-Anandji and this is where Anjanâs luck really started to shine. Anjan always used to say that Mumbaiâs film industry never grooms a runaway lover; it wants a true lover who never leaves it even in times of struggle.
He always used to say that this industry is heaven where you get houris, money, fame but to go to heaven, you have to die and one should be prepared for it.
These superhit songs came from the pen of Anjaan
You must have heard âMere Angne Mein Tumhara Kya Kaam Haiâ in the voice of Amitabh Bachchan. This song was also written by Anjaan. Apart from this, he also wrote songs like âE Hai Bambai Nagariya Tu Dekh Babuaâ, âJiska Mujhe Tha Intezaarâ, âJiska Koi Nahi Uska To Khuda Hai Yaaroâ, âKab Ke Bichhdeâ, âDisco Dancerâ, âYashoda Ka Nandlalaâ.
âEat paan Banaras walaâ, âOh friend, what is the point of living without youâ, âEveryone comes crying, who will go laughingâ, âWhy are you so proud of moneyâ, âLook and hide, look and hideâ, âIf we slip today, donât wake me upâ, âWhat gesture did you give by touching my heartâ, âThe waiting has reached its limitâ, âYou are a mad wandering loverâ, âMy wrists are fair, you load me with green banglesâ, âIf you believe, I am mother Gangaâ, such countless superhit songs are the pearls of Anjaanâs pen.
Anjaan, who had penned more than 1500 songs for more than 300 films, suddenly suffered a stroke of paralysis and was bed-ridden for 4-5 years. He died on 13 September 1997 at the age of 67. Anjaan never received any award or honour but he was happy that he saw the success of his son Sheetla Pandey (Sameer) during his lifetime and felt the joy of him receiving a Filmfare Award.