Alam Ara (1973)Cinemaazi
Alam Ara (1931) was the first talkie and it had seven songs. Hindi cinema's love affair with songs started with this film. The name of the lyricist of the film is not known.
Hindi cinema has fostered several writers and poets since its inception. The songs in the films often presented themes which are much bigger than the films.
Sometimes they presented the hopes, aspirations and concerns for the nation, sometimes the pain and pleasure of love, sometimes they explored deeper philosophical yearning of the poets.
Several Hindi film lyricists have contributed a great deal to the field of literature.
Tanvir Naqvi
Tanvir Naqvi was a well-known Urdu poet, and came from a family of poets. He wrote some very memorable songs for Anmol Ghadi (1946). Naqvi migrated to Pakistan after Partition and continued to write songs for Pakistani films like Teri Yaad (1948), Mousiqar (1962).
Portrait of Mohammed RafiOriginal Source: Private collection of Yasmin Khalid Rafi
Tanvir Naqvi introduced Mohammed Rafi to Hindi cinema. Mohammed Rafi is one of the stalwarts of Hindi film music. Naqvi and Rafi worked together in films like Anmol Ghadi (1946) and Aladin Ka Beta (1955).
Majrooh Sultanpuri
Majrooh Sultanpuri was the pen name (Takallus) of Asrar ul Hassan Khan. He not just wrote songs like "Dar Na Mohabbat Karle" of Andaz (1971) to "Pehla Nasha" of Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992), but was also an active member of Progressive Writers' Movement, started in 1936. It was a deeply humanist movement and strived for equality in society.
Teesri Manzil (1966)Cinemaazi
Majrooh Sultanpuri wrote songs like "Deewana Mujhsa Nahin", "Aaja Aaja Me Hu Pyaar Tera", "O Mere Sona Re" for Teesri Manzil (1966).
Buddha Mil GayaCinemaazi
Majrooh Sultanpuri wrote the melody "Raat Kali Ek Khwab Me Aayi" for Buddha Mil Gaya(1971) which was reused in the film Dil Vil Pyar Vyar (2002).
Pakeezah PakeezahCinemaazi
Through the song "Inhi Logon Ne", Majrooh captured the anguish of the tawaif (courtesan) being forced into the singing-dancing trade in Kamal Amrohi's Pakeezah (1972).
Jo Jeeta Wohi SikandarCinemaazi
The evergreen song of love "Pehla Nasha" was written by Majrooh Sultanpuri.
Shakeel Badayuni
The songs of Shakeel Badayuni are popular across generations, whether it is "Dukh Bhare Din Bite Re" from Mother India (1957) or "Pyaar Kiya to Darna Kya" from Mughal-e-Azam (1960), they connected with an entire generation of film viewers.
Publicity Booklet cover of film Mother India (1957)Original Source: Mehboob Productions, Mumbai
Mother India (1957) is a cult film and the song "Dukh Bhare Din Bite Re" sang about the trials of the farmers.
Aar Paar (1954)Cinemaazi
The song "Babuji Dheere Chalna" from Aar Paar (1954) by Shakeel Badayuni, is very popular and has been remade for the film Salaam-e-Ishq (2007) and a dance cover has been released by Salman Khan (dancer) and Scarlett Wilson. It has become more sensuous each time it has been remade.
Baiju Bawra (1952)Cinemaazi
For Baiju Bawra (1952) Shakeel wrote songs for Hindustani classical music, which was a big challenge.
Kavi Pradeep
Kavi Pradeep was famous for his patriotic songs like "Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon", "Aao Bacchon Tumhe Dikhayein Jhanki Hindustan Ki", "De Dee Humein Azadi Bina Khadag Bina Dhal..Sabarmati Ke Sant Tu Ne Kar Diya Kamaal". "Sabarmati Ke Sant" spoke of Gandhi's non violent methods and "Ae Mere Watan Ke Logo" paid homage to the soldiers of Indo-China War (1962).
Sahir Ludhianvi
Sahir Ludhianvi was the pen name of Abdul Hayee, it meant magician. He truly was a magician of words. A humanist at heart he wrote about the worker, the city dweller, the sex worker and the underdog. He wrote "Tu Hindu Banega Na" for Dhool ka Phool (1959) saying a human child will not become a Hindu or a Muslim but a human.
Pyaasa (1957)Cinemaazi
For Pyaasa (1957), Sahir wrote "Jinhen Naaz Hai Hind Par Woh Kahan Hain." In this song, speaking of the unfulfilled promises of the nation of an equal and just society, he asks where are those who were proud of the nation.
Kabhi Kabhie (1976)Cinemaazi
Sahir’s poetry enlivened the character of the poet played by Amitabh Bacchan in Kabhie Kabhie (1976).
In the song "Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar Hu, Pal Do Pal Meri Kahani Hai, Pal Do Pal Meri Hasti Hai", Sahir wrote that poetry, identity and life were all ephemeral.
Barsaat ki Raat (1960)Cinemaazi
"Zindagi Bhar Nahi Bhoolegi Wo Barsaat" Ki Raat was another timeless song by Sahir.
Hasrat Jaipuri
Hasrat Jaipuri gave us songs like "Sayonara, Sayonara" and "Aao Twist Karein". He had a long partnership with Shailendra. Both of them wrote lyrics for several Raj Kapoor films.
Shararat ShararatCinemaazi
Hasrat Jaipuri wrote songs like "Baharo Phool Barsao" and "Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana" among others.
Kal Aaj aur Kal (1971)Cinemaazi
Kal Aaj aur Kal (1971) starred three generations of the Kapoor family Prithviraj Kapoor, Raj Kapoor and Randhir Kapoor. Hasrat Jaipuri wrote songs like "Aap Yaha Aaye Kis Liye" for the film.
Shailendra
Shailendra had a strong association with Raj Kapoor and wrote lyrics for several of his films. He voiced the concerns of the newly independent nation, its lineage from Russia, Japan and Britain in "Mera Joota Hai Japani" from Shree 420 (1955) and gave us the song symbolic of women’s freedom in "Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna Hai" for the film Guide (1965).
Awara (1951)Cinemaazi
Shailendra gave words to the tramp played by Raj Kapoor.
AnariCinemaazi
Shailendra wrote life is about sharing each others' sorrows and joys, and giving to the world even if one is penniless in the song "Kisiki Muskurahaton Pe Ho Nisar" for Anari (1959).
Indeevar
Indeevar wrote songs like "Zindagi Ka Safar..." for Safar (1970). He is known for the patriotic song “Bharat Ka Rehne Wala Hu" and the popular song sung by Nazia Hasan, "Aap Jaisa Koi Mere Zindagi Me Aaye."
Johnny Mera Naam (1970)Cinemaazi
Johny Mera Naam (1970) had a hit song "Pal Bhar Ke Liye Koi Hume" by Indeevar.
Kaifi Azmi
Kaifi Azmi’s life intersects with some of the important moments in Indian history. He participated in the Quit India Movement (1942), led the Progressive Writers' Group, and was a member of Communist Party of India (1943). He acted in the film Naseem (1995) which presented the destruction of Babri Masjid. He wrote script, dialogues and lyrics for many Hindi films like Garam Hawa (1973), which narrates the heart wrenching story of Partition. His songs like "Waqt Ne Kiya Kya Haseen Sitam" from Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), "Jhuki Jhuki Si Nazar" from Arth (1982) have tugged the hearts of millions. He is the father of the actor Shabana Azmi.
Kaagaz ke Phool (1959)Cinemaazi
In the song "Waqt Ne Kiya Kya Haseen Sitam", Kaifi Azmi wrote how life and love are timeless yet very time bound. Time, he wrote, changes everything.
Baawarchi (1972)Cinemaazi
Kaifi Azmi wrote songs for Hrishikesh Mukherjee's hugely successful film Bawarchi (1972).
Nida Fasli
Nida Fasli, known for his simple language and beautiful poetry, he used colloquial language instead of complex words and simplified poetry. He gave us songs like "Aa Bhi Jaa" from Sur (2002), "Hosh Walon Ko Khabar Kya" from 'Sarfarosh' (1999).
Gulzar
Gulzar is a living legend who has received the Sahitya Academy Award, Dada Saheb Phalke Award and Padma Bhushan. He has won awards in all the categories of lyrics, script writing and direction. He has written songs, dialogues, scripts and also directed films like Koshish (1972), Maachis (1996), Aandhi (1975), Mausam (1975), Angoor (1982) etc. His versatile genius has given lyrics to songs across the spectrum from "Dil Doondhta Hai Phir Vahi" from Mausam (1975), "Mera Kuch Samaan" from Ijaazat (1987) to "Beedi Jalaile" from Omkara (2006).
GharondaCinemaazi
Gulzar won the Filmfare award for Best Lyrics in 1978 for the song "Do Deewane Sheher Me" from Gharonda (1977).
KoshishCinemaazi
Gulzar won the National Award for best screenplay for Koshish in 1972. He also directed the film.
Javed Akhtar
Javed Akhtar is the son of the Urdu poet and lyricist Jan Nisar Akhtar. He has written scripts, screenplays and lyrics for several films. He has been a recipient of many awards including the Sahitya Academy Award, Padma Bhushan, and National Award. He has been a public intellectual who has voiced his opinion on several important issues. His popular songs include "Me Koi Aisa Geet Gau" from Yes Boss (1997), "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To" from 1942: A Love Story (1994), the title song from Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003).
Silisila (1981)Cinemaazi
Silsila (1981) had many popular songs like "Neela Aasman So Gaya", "Ye Kahan Aa Gaye Hum", "Dekha Ek Khwab To Ye Silsile Hue", written by Javed Akhtar.
Anand Bakshi
Anand Bakshi gave us songs like "Ye Shaam Mastani" from Kati Patang (1971), "Dum Maro Dum" from Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971), "Tujhe Dekha To Ye Jana" from Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995).
Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971)Cinemaazi
Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971)'s song "Dum Maro Dum" written by Bakshi is famous even today, and has been remixed for the film Dum Maaro Dum (2011).
Amar Akbar Anthony (1977)Cinemaazi
The legendary singers Kishore Kumar, Mohammed Rafi, Mukesh and Lata Mangeshkar came together for the first time for the song "Humko Tumse Hogaya Hai Pyaar" from the film Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), written by Anand Bakshi.
Sameer
Sameer began writing lyrics in the 1980s. He holds the Guinness World Record for writing the largest number of songs (3524 songs), awarded in 2016.
Gharwali BaharwaliCinemaazi
Sameer has many contemporary hit numbers to his credit like, "Ladki Badi Anjani Hai" from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), "Jab Se Tere Naina" from Saawariya (2007).
Google Exhibit | Curation & Content: C.Yamini Krishna
