When Lyricist Anand Bakshi Was Beaten For A Glass Of Milk

Anand Bakshi stands as one of Bollywood’s towering figures, revered for his unmatched talent in crafting thousands of timeless songs. Despite his departure, his lyrical legacy continues to echo through the hearts of millions across India. Renowned for his simplicity tinged with mischief, Bakshi’s life unfolds with a poignant narrative, anchored by a seemingly ordinary incident involving a glass of milk.

In pursuit of his dream to explore Bombay, a young Bakshi, fueled by youthful exuberance, hatched a plan with his friends to sell their school books. However, upon reaching Rawalpindi station, his companions abandoned him, leaving him stranded and crestfallen. As a mere child, the prospect of venturing alone into the unknown expanse of Bombay proved daunting, thwarting his aspirations.

Considering the consequences of his misadventure, Bakshi faced the anger of his family, who sought to redirect his focus away from his mischievous inclinations. Thus, he was dispatched to a boarding school in Jammu, with the hope that distance from his troublemaking peers would extinguish his burgeoning interests in acting and singing, which were fueled by his fascination with films.

Upon commencing his tenure at the boarding school, Bakshi astutely seized upon an opportunity to enrol in boxing, enticed by the promise of a daily glass of milk afforded to pugilists. Despite the rigorous regimen enforced by the sports instructors, Bakshi adeptly evaded their scrutiny, ensuring his sustenance through the simple act of donning boxing gloves. This surreptitious ploy persisted for months, allowing him to savour the coveted milk unimpeded.

However, fortune proved fickle as Bakshi’s ruse eventually unravelled. Marked out for individualised instruction by a vigilant teacher, he found himself subjected to a brutal reprisal – a beating that extinguished his entitlement to the cherished glass of milk. This anecdote, recounted in his son Rakesh Anand Bakshi’s book Nagme, Kisse, Baatein, Yaadein, offers a poignant glimpse into the formative years of the lyrical luminary, underscoring his resilience and resourcefulness amidst adversity.