In 1899, something happened that still empowers everyone's dreams today. Yes, the inception of Hindi Cinema (Bollywood) took place in 1899, approximately 11 years before Hollywood. Music held great significance, and in films, it was firmly integrated into all situations – be it love, happiness, sorrow, festivities, life, or even death. The myriad emotions that reside within humans found a splendid expression through music. The bond between music and Bollywood is akin to that of a sunflower and a honeybee. Hindi films remained incomplete without music.
In the world of Hindi cinema, many music directors emerged who tried to make their mark – some succeeded while others couldn't leave a lasting impression. However, among them, one director who was born on November 16, 1917, stands out and will always be remembered in the world of Bollywood music – 'Chitragupta Shrivastav.' This name will forever continue to resonate in the realm of music. Chitragupta Ji was a multi-talented artist – a writer, a singer, a composer, but above all, he was a person who embodied the smiles and pride of gods. Such great personalities are those who perform deeds that undoubtedly bring well-being to the world.
Do you not believe that music becomes a source of solace and healing in times of sorrow or pain? Chitragupta Ji played a significant role in giving music a new dimension. If I were to express it in today's words, he was the kind of Music Director who elevated our Indian and contemporary culture with the power of his music and melodies.
Chitragupta Ji hailed from the village of Karmaili in Gopalganj, Bihar. He was a beacon of determination in honoring Bhojpuri music. He was like an ever-flowing river, never stopping in his efforts. The magic of Chitragupta Ji can be heard in famous songs like 'Ganga Maiya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo,' and many others like 'Ganga Kinaare Mora Gaav Ho,' 'Chadte Phagun Jiyara,' and 'Sang Sang Beti.' He acquainted the entire nation with Bhojpuri music. Yes, Chitragupta Ji was an educated artist in an industry where education had no relevance. He pursued a Master's degree in Economics and Journalism from Patna University, yet his heart resided in music. His passion and love for music were unparalleled. He was a true devotee of Goddess Saraswati.
And so, he journeyed to Mumbai, fueled by his belief in his music. After ten years of dedicated hard work and struggle, success began to smile upon him, much like a mother watching her child's first steps. His music in the film 'Sindbad the Sailor' captured the hearts of people worldwide, irrespective of whether the film was an 'A' grade or 'B' grade. Chitragupt Ji and his music always remained 'A' grade. Impartial and serene, he never showed favoritism in his dreamy melodies.
He bestowed 'A' level music in both Bhojpuri and Hindi cinema, working diligently and respecting both languages, never causing any offense. A true devotee of Goddess Saraswati, Chitragupta Ji immortalized countless Hindi songs with his compositions, such as 'Chali Chali Re Patang,' 'Koi Bata De Dil Hai Jahan,' and 'Tadpaoge Tadpa Lo.' However, on January 14, 1991, Chitragupt Ji bid farewell to us and the entire film fraternity. His music will remain eternal, and with time, he was named 'The Melodious Son of Bihar.' But what lies ahead?
Anand-Milind are such music directors and composers who have not only captivated India but also the entire world with their music and songs, making people fall in love with their melodies. As soon as their songs were released, they would become an instant hit among the listeners. Anand-Milind were a prominent music duo of the 90s Bollywood era, contributing significantly to making the 90s 'The Most Loved Era' of Bollywood. However...
On December 21st, 1957, Chitragupt Ji embarked on a new journey in his life when a child entered his world. His life seemed to transform with the birth of this child. If you want to know who brought happiness to Chitragupt Ji's life, well, it was none other than Anand Shrivastav.
Anand Shrivastava was born on this very day to be able to assist his father, to lend a helping hand, and approximately 2 years later, on May 31st, 1959, Milind Shrivastav was born. It's as if happiness was scripted to enter Chitragupt Ji's life...
Chitragupt Ji, who contributed his music to more than 200 films, where the voice of Lata Mangeshkar Ji found a special place, interestingly, it was Lata Ji who named Anand. This way, Anand Shrivastav and Milind Shrivastav became Anand-Milind for the world. However, Chitragupt Ji did not want his sons to step into the Bollywood industry. He wished for both his sons to pursue higher education. For this reason, he kept Anand-Milind away from film-related magazines and news.
Interestingly, both Anand and Milind were academically inclined and enjoyed studying. Due to this, when they were in 8th grade, their father, Chitragupt Ji, introduced Anand to the piano and Milind to the guitar. Little did anyone know that this initial step towards music would lead to such a long and remarkable journey, where the country would become intertwined with their musical voyage.
As time passed, Anand-Milind began composing their own tunes, surprising and compelling everyone to ponder: how is it possible for someone to craft their own melodies at such a young age?
However, in 1968, a year arrived that brought a heart attack to Chitragupt Ji. Anand-Milind stepped in as assistants to their father, which led them to understand the demands and tasks of a music director. During this journey, they had the opportunity to meet legendary singer 'ANUP JALOTA' Ji, and together, they showcased their magical talents of playing the piano and guitar in various programs and live shows.
Then, in 1979, Chitragupta Ji provided his music for the superhit Bhojpuri film 'BALAM PARDESIYA'. In around 40 films, he composed music, where Anand-Milind both stood by as assistants, eager to help their father. It's often said that there's a kind of magic in the father-son relationship when the son desires to take forward his father's work...
Lata Mangeshkar Ji has lent her voice to several films alongside Chitragupt Ji, enchanting the entire nation with her melodious tones. With Anand-Milind, she even bestowed a name upon their home, calling it 'SwarGanga'.
In 1982, Anand-Milind's true musical journey began with the film 'Ab Aayega Maza,' produced by their childhood friend Pankaj Parashar. However, true success found them nearly seven years later with the film 'QSQT' (Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak), for which they received the prestigious 'Filmfare' Award. The film's songs, particularly the iconic track 'Papa Kehte Hai,' became a youth anthem across India, garnering widespread praise in newspapers and magazines.
Anand-Milind never looked back from there; they gave opportunities to numerous new singers, offering their heartfelt assistance. Singers like Abhijeet Bhattacharya, Chandana Dixit, Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik, Gayatri Iyer, Bela Sulakhe, and many others worked diligently with Anand-Milind, resulting in remarkable success. Their music, combined with these singers' voices, created a unique magic that touched our hearts, as heard in the song "Badi Mushkil Hai, Khoya Mera Dil Hai," sung by Abhijeet Bhattacharya, which portrayed Shah Rukh Khan in a different light.
The music of that era brought a so-called 'Revolution' to Bollywood. Anand-Milind's work will always occupy a prominent place in history because they contributed their music to many films featuring big stars like Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and more. However, their most significant and successful collaboration was with superstar Govinda, where their music adorned 20 movies, each song becoming a superhit sensation that remains timeless.
In 2017, Anand-Milind Ji were honored with the most cherished accolade that every artist aspires for—the 'Dadasaheb Phalke Award.' This recognition was a testament to their remarkable and outstanding contribution to the Indian film industry through their music.
In 2016, this sensational duo established a music academy — Anand-Milind Academy of Music (AMA) — to share their knowledge and life experiences with the new and modern generation. Their aim is to pass on the legacy of music to all music enthusiasts, empowering the youth to build their careers in the world of music with the sole purpose of 'Giving Back to Society.'