Most of us remember him as a lyricist but he was a multi-talented personality. He started his film career as an assistant music director to Khurshid Anwar in Aaj Aur Kal(1947). He got his first film Ziddi(1948) as a lyricist with a hit song .'Chanda Re, Ja Re Ja Re' sung by Lata Mangeshkar and composed by Khemchand Prakash. Since then he wrote many memorable songs like "Seene Mein Sulagte Hain Armaan" from Tarana(1951) or "Zindagi Khawab Hai" from Jagte Raho(1956)'
Manoj Kumar had high regard for his talent, he offered him, Shaheed(1965) to give its music as well as write songs. He wrote the immortal song ' Rang De Basanti Chola'. Apart from his career as a lyricist and composer, acted in two films, Lajawab (1950) and Goonj Uthi Shehnai (1959). He also worked as a choreographer for seven films Arzoo (1950) was the first film as a choreographer, his choreographed song 'Ude Jab Jab Zulfein Teri' and 'Yeh Desh Hai Veer Jawano Ka' from Naya Daur (1957) are immortal.
He also appeared in the song 'Ari O Mohe Chhed Gaya Re from the 1949 film Singaar as a dancer with Cuckoo. He also choreographed the popular song ' Hariyala Sawan Dhol Bajata Aaya' from 'Do Bigha Zameen(1953)'
He was born on 13th June 1923, in Ambala in Hariyana District. His father was Jail superintendent and because of his job, Prem Dhawan got to travel a lot in undivided India with his family, where he got an opportunity to study various cultures and be a part of it. He completed his college education in Lahore where Sahir & Indrakumar Gujral were his best friends.
Prem Dhawan was an underrated music director and lyricist. He composed several films. His songs were full of typical Punjabi flavor. He could not shine as a successful composer, but his few films need a mention like, Shaeed (1965), Pavitra Papi (1970), Raat Ke Aandhere Mein (1987) etc.
He got the National Award for Best Lyrics for the Punjabi film Nanak Dukhiya Sub Sansar (1970). He died on 7 May 2001, at the age of 78, following a cardiac arrest.
