With the song of Malhar(1951) "Bade Armano Se Rakkha Hai Balam Teri Kasam", the underrated lyricist of Bollywood became Indeewar. His original name was Shyam Lal Babu Rai. He made his debut as a lyricist from the 1946 film Double Face as 'Azad'. This was his name in the literary circle. With this name, he wrote many songs for films from 1946 to 1951.
He wrote over a thousand songs in over 300 films in a career spanning over four decades, he gave us many immortal songs like 'Zindagi ka Safar' (Safar),' Koi jab Tumhara Hriday Tod De (Purab Aur Paschim), 'Kasme Waade Pyar Wafa' (Upkaar), Hothon Se Chhoo lo tum (Prem Geet) and also the song like ' Aap Jaisa Koi Meri Zindagi Mein' (Kurbani)
He worked with various film composers but his association with Kalyanji Anandji produced many great songs such as 'Chandan Sa Badan' (Sarswati Chandra, 1968), 'Zindagi Ka Safar Hai Yeh Kaisa Safar' (Safar, 1970), 'Dil Aisa Kisi Ne Mera Toda' (Amanush, 1975), and 'Dushman Na Kare' (Akhir Kyon, 1985).
He was nominated as Best Lyricist for the first time for the song "Ek Tu Na Mila" (Himalaya Ki God Mein) next for "Samjhauta Ghamon Se Kar Lo" (Samjhauta) in 1974 and finally won it for "Dil Aisa Kisi Ne Mera Toda" (Amanush) 1976'.
In the 1980s, there was a drastic shift in the musical taste of the masses. During this time, Indeevar wrote many hit songs for Bappi Lahiri - 'Naino Main Sapna' from Himmatwala (1983), and 'Tohfa Tohfa Laaya Laaya' from Tohfa (1984).
He died on February 27 in 1999 during a journey. His last projects include Rajesh Roshan's films Karan Arjun in 1995 and Koyla in 1997.
Here are a few of the memorable songs written by Indivar