Songs have always played an undisputed role in inciting the spirit of nationalism in the hearts of millions of people. Many patriotic songs, written by the literary stalwarts like Tagore or Bankim Chandra Chatterjee.
Kavi Pradeep was the first songwriter to write patriotic songs for Bollywood. His song ' Chal Chal Re Naujawan", for the 1940 film Bandhan, made waves since the Indian freedom movement was at a crucial juncture.
The impact and popularity of the song can be gauged by the fact that the song used to be sung at these assemblies by patriotic INC activists. INC also formed a children corp known as “Vanar Sena” under the leadership of Indira Gandhi. Vanar Sena adopted the song as its marching song and Indira herself used to sing it at the meetings. She later admitted that this song had a lifelong impact on her.
His next song , “Aaj Himalaya ki choti se phir humne lalkara hai” for the 1942 film 'Kismet' was very popular in the Quit India Movement. It is said that he had to go underground to avoid the arrest from the British Government.
Even after independence, he wrote many such songs. Recall the songs of Jagriti (1954) '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".
He always believed in writing songs in simple words portraying a meaning fitting into the situation. The popularity of his songs was due to his down-to-earth lyrics and simple language that was well understood by everyone.
He was the writer of Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo, that become one of the greatest patriotic songs of the country. It was while Lata Mangeshkar was rendering the song that the Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, was moved to tears. For writing the song Kavi Pradeep was conferred the honour of "Rashtriya Kavi" (National Poet) by the government of India.
Beside writing patriotic songs he wrote all type of songs for Bollywood,In a career span of five decades, Kavi Pradeep wrote about 1,700 songs.
Kavi Pradeep received numerous awards throughout his life. Some of which are:Sangeet Natak Akademi Award – 1961 and Dada Saheb Phalke Award in 1997.
He died of old age at his bungalow, 'Panchamrita', at Vile Parle in north-west Bombay on 11th Dec 1998. He was 84
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