Veteran lyricist Santosh Anand, known for penning timeless songs like “Ek Pyar Ka Nagma Hai” from the 1972 film Shor, recently shared insights into his creative process during a visit to Lucknow. The 83-year-old, who has contributed some of the most heartfelt lyrics in Hindi cinema, remains a staunch advocate of collaboration between lyricists and music composers, something he feels has been lost in today’s music industry.
Reflecting on the success of his iconic song “Ek Pyar Ka Nagma Hai,” Anand said, “The song expresses deep life philosophies without saying much.” The haunting melody, composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal and sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Mukesh, is remembered for its simplicity and emotional depth. Santosh Anand believes that creating such timeless pieces requires not only inspiration but also a strong connection between the lyricist and the composer, something he feels is missing in today’s music-making process.
During his Lucknow visit, Anand spoke candidly about how his creative process is different from the current trends in the industry. “I don’t like the way most composers work now. Main apne gaane khud saamne baith kar banwaata hoon (I like to create my songs while sitting in front of the composers). Laxmikant-Pyarelal, the composers I worked with, made me sweat, and only then did we create a song. Today, composers want me to write something so they can compose it, or they share a tune and ask me to write lyrics for it. But that’s not how it works for me,” he said.
Anand believes in the power of collaboration, something that has been integral to his creative journey. “There should be collaboration. That’s why good work is not happening nowadays,” he explained. He recounted a recent experience with Vishal Dadlani, the singer-composer, who asked Anand to share his lyrics. Anand, however, declined, insisting that they create the song together, face-to-face. “Mere saamne mil kar banaoge tab gaana doonga” (I’ll give the song only when it’s created in front of me), he emphasized, illustrating his firm belief in the traditional method of collaborative songwriting.
Despite being bound to a wheelchair due to physical challenges, Santosh Anand remains as sharp and creative as ever. “My physical efficiency has been affected, but my work efficiency is intact,” he shared. He mentioned that several composers have approached him for new projects, and while some are in the pipeline, he prefers to remain tight-lipped until everything is finalized.
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Anand’s attachment to his craft runs deep, and he still feels a constant rhythm within him, driving him to create. “I can still work like before,” he said, exuding confidence. “If the subject and music director are right, I’ll definitely work. I can move forward and do even better work.”
His visit to Lucknow was nostalgic, as he fondly remembered his first trip to the city in the 1950s. “My first memory of Lucknow is from around 1955 when I came for a wedding in Aminabad. I remember visiting the zoo, the Residency, and the Imambaras on a rickshaw,” he recalled. Over the years, he visited Lucknow several times for kavi sammelans (poetry recitals) and forged a close bond with the late politician Lalji Tandon, who would invite him to his birthday celebrations every year, owing to his fondness for Anand’s poetry.
Anand was in the city for a musical evening titled Ek Shaam Santosh Anand Ke Naam, organized by the Uttar Pradesh Artiste Association. During the event, the lyricist was celebrated for his contributions to Indian cinema and his influence on generations of music lovers.
Though his health limits his mobility, Santosh Anand remains an indomitable force in the world of lyrics and poetry. As he continues to inspire with his undying passion for creating meaningful songs, his legacy as one of Bollywood’s finest lyricists is only growing stronger. “Everyone needs Santosh (contentment),” he quipped with a smile, referring both to his name and the essence of his work.
