Golden Era of Bollywood: Kavi Pradeep- The Nationalistic Poet who got immortalized for writing Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo

Kavi Pradeep, who was born on 6th Feb 1915 as Ramchandra Narayanji Dwivedi, penned 1,700 songs for more than 85 Hindi films, most of them embellished with a patriotic fervour, including Chal chal re naujawaan and Door hato aye duniyawalon Hindustan hamara hai (both from Kismet, India's first golden jubilee hit), which stirred the souls of the people during the 1942 Quit India Movement.
His first recognition came for his patriotic lyrics for the film Bandhan (1940) with the song Chal Chal Re Naujawan which made waves since the Indian freedom movement was at a crucial juncture.He worked on five more movies for Bombay Talkies which included Punar Milan (1940), Jhoola (1941), Naya Sansar (1941), Anjan (1943) and Kismet (1943). Kismet is known for its patriotic song "Aaj Himalay Ki Choti Se Phir Hum Ne Lalkara Hai, Door Hato Ae Duniyawalon Hindustan Hamara Hai"
Pradeep also penned a large number of non-film songs that inspired freedom-fighters during the independence movement. After Independence, he wrote several more to promote national integration, bringing him a wealth of honours and the title, Rashtra Kavi.
Kavi Pradeep was at his peak of creativity when he wrote for the films Nastik (1954) and Jagriti (1954). He even lent his voice for the evergreen song "Dekh Tere Sansar Ki Halat Kya Ho Gayi Bhagwaan, Kitna Badal Gaya Insaan" (Look at your world, O God. How the man has changed!) from the film Nastik (1954). Jagriti is considered to be among his best work for one movie as it includes hit songs such as Aao Bachcho Tumhein Dikhayen Jhanki Hindustan Ki, Is Mitti Se Tilak Karo, Yeh Dharti Hai Balidan Ki" (sung by himself), "Hum Laye Hain Toofan Se Kishti Nikal Ke, Is Desh Ko Rakhna Mere Bachcho Sambhal Ke" and "De Dee Humein Azadi Bina Khadag Bina Dhal, Sabarmati Ke Sant Tu Ne Kar Diya Kamaal".
Beside writing patriotic songs he wrote all kind of songs.His songs on love specially between a mother and her children, between a father and his children, between a bhakt (devotee) and his deity,In fact the songs of 1975 film Jai Santoshi Ma became very popular. Ladies would perform poojas when the immortal song "Main To Aarti Utaroon Re Santoshi Mata Ki" was played in the theatres. He also sang one of the songs "Yahan Wahan" from the film for which he received the award as Best Male Playback Singer from the Bengal Film Journalists' Association in 1975.
S. Mukerji's Sambandh (1969) starring Pradeep Kumar was a movie that ran on the popularity of songs such as "Chal Akela Chal Akela, Tera Mela Peechhe Chhoota Raahi Chal Akela", "Jo Diya Tha Tum Ne Ek Din, Mujhe Phir Wohi Pyar De Do, Ek Karz Mangta Hoon, Bachpan Udhar De Do" were written by Kavi Pradeep.
In 1997, he was honoured by India's highest award in Cinema, the Dada Saheb Phalke Award for Lifetime Achievement.He died at the age of 83 on 11 December 1998.

The Great Songs By Kavi Pradeep