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Sahir Ludhianvi.
25 October is the death anniversary of Sahir Ludhianvi (1921-1980)
Sahir Ludhianvi is one of the most celebrated poets and lyricists who wrote in both Urdu and Hindi languages.
He was born as Abdul Hayee in Ludhiana, Punjab. His pen name, Sahir Ludhianvi, was derived from his birthplace and his poetic style, which means “magician” or “enchanter” in Urdu.
Sahir was known for his unconventional and rebellious personality. He was an atheist who questioned the orthodoxies and hypocrisies of religion. He was a feminist who advocated for women’s rights and dignity. He was a socialist who opposed capitalism and exploitation. He was also an artist who demanded respect and recognition for his work. He insisted that the music should be composed according to his lyrics, not vice versa.
An interesting anecdote is that he insisted on a remuneration of
one rupee more than Lata Mangeshkar, as a symbol of his protest against the hierarchy in the film industry. He also fought for the rights of lyricists to be given credit by All India Radio.
Sahir’s childhood was marked by hardship and struggle. His mother left his father soon after his birth due to domestic abuse and financial disputes. His father remarried and tried to claim custody of Sahir, but his mother raised him single-handedly. Sahir was deeply attached to his mother and admired her courage and resilience. Sahir’s friend and poet Ahmad Rahi once said “In his entire life, Sahir loved once, and he nurtured one hate. He loved his mother, and he hated his father.”
Sahir received his primary education in Urdu and Persian from Maulana Fiyaz Haryanvi, and then attended Khalsa High School in Ludhiana. He developed a passion for poetry and literature at an early age and started writing poems and ghazals. He was also influenced by the progressive writers’ movement, which aimed to challenge the social injustices and inequalities in society through literature.
Sahir moved to Lahore in 1943 and joined Dayal Singh College, where he became the president of the student federation. He also published his first collection of poems, Talkhiyaan (Bitterness), in 1944, which received critical acclaim and established him as a prominent poet. He also worked as an editor for various Urdu magazines, such as Shahkaar, Adab-e-Lateef, and Savera.
One of his friends was making a film “Azadi ki Rah par” and asked him to write a song for it. He moved to Bombay, where he met SD Burman. Their first film was Naujawan(1951) and the song “Thandi Hawayein” become a chartbuster. This was the start of a long collaboration between two geniuses who collaborated in films like Baazi (1951), Jaal (1952),Taxi Driver (1954), Munimji(1955), Devdas (1955), Funtoosh(1956) & Pyaasa (1957).
Sahir went on to work with music composers like Ravi, Roshan, Khayyam, N. Datta, OP Nayyar, Laxmikant Pyare, Madan Mohan etc. With N. Datta, Sahir collaborated for films like Milaap (1955), Chandrakanta (1956), Saadhna (1958), Dhool Ka Phool (1959), Dharamputra (1961), Naya Raasta (1970). Ravi and Sahir formed a long working relationship with Chopra brothers B.R and Yash, in films like Gumrah, Waqt (1965 film), Hamraaz(1967), Aadmi Aur Insaan(1969), Dhund (1973).
Some of Sahir’s best work were Naya Daur, Phir Subah Hogi, Hum Dono, Taj Mahal, Chitrlekha, Ghazal, Kajal, Izzat, Neel kamal, Aankhen, Dastan, Daagh, Joshila, Laila Majnu, and Kabhi Kabhie.
Sahir’s songs were not only melodious and poetic, but also meaningful and relevant. He wrote about various themes, such as love, romance, patriotism, social issues, humanism, philosophy, and spirituality. He also expressed his views on politics, religion, war, peace, and justice. He used simple yet powerful words to convey his message and touch the hearts of the listeners.
Some of his famous songs are
“Thandi Hawayein Lehrake Aaye”- Naujawan (1951)
“Jayen To Jayen Kahan” – Taxi Driver (1954)
“Saathi Haath Badhana” – Naya Daur (1957)
“Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaye Toh Kya Hai”- Pyaasa (1957)
“Aurat Ne Janam Diya Mardon Ko” – Sadhna (1958)
“Woh Subah Kabhi Toh Aayegi”- Phir Subah Hogi (1959)
“Tu Hindu Banega Na Musalman Banega”, – Dhool Ka Phool (1959)
“Yeh Ishq Ishq Hai”, “Na To Karvan Ki Talash Hai” – Barsaat Ki Raat (1960)
“Allah Tero Naam Ishwar Tero Naam’, “Main Zindagi Ka Sath Nibhata Chala Gaya”, “Kabhi Khud Pe Kabhi Haalat Pe Rona Aaya” – Hum Dono (1961)
“Chalo Ek Baar Phir Se Ajnabi Ban Jaye Hum Dono’ – Gumrah (1963)
“Laaga Chunri Mein Daag” – Dil Hi To Hai (1963)
“Aye Meri Zoharjabin” – Waqt (1965)
“Babul Ki Duaen Leti Ja”- Neelkamal (1968).
“Man Re Tu Kahe Na Dheer Dhare”, “Sansar Se Bhage Phirte Ho” – Chitralekha (1964)
“Tora Mann Darpan Kehlaye”- Kaajal (1965)
“Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar Hoon”, “Kabhie Kabhie” – Kabhi Kabhi (1976)
“Dil ke tukde tukde karke” – Dada(1980) and many more
Sahir had a turbulent love life as well. He was romantically involved with two famous women Amrita Pritam and Sudha Malhotra. Amrita Pritam, a renowned Punjabi poetess, and Sahir had a complicated relationship. Due to the childhood trauma of his parents’s faield marriage, Sahir turned away from marrying Amrita but their friendship remained for ever. an
Even though Sudha , a famous singer chose to marry another person, Sahir didn’t hesitate to support her career in the film industry. It was for her that Sahir penned the immensely popular Nazm ‘Chalo Ik Baar Phir Hum Ajnabi Ban Jaen.’ Sahir remained unmarried till his death.
Sahir died of a cardiac arrest at the age of 59 in Mumbai. His death was mourned by millions of fans and admirers across India and Pakistan. He was honoured with many awards and recognitions. He received two Filmfare Awards for Best Lyricist for Taj Mahal (1964) and Kabhie Kabhie (1977) and was nominated for seven more. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1971 by the Government of India. In 2013, a commemorative stamp was issued in his honour by India Post on his 92nd birth anniversary.
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