Qamar Jalalabadi (9 March 1917 – 9 January 2003), a poet who wrote more than 700 songs in more than 150 films gave us many immortal songs. One of his songs became the Radio Ceylon's anthem on the first of every month for decades, "khush hai zamana aaj pehli tarikh hai".
Some of his memorable songs from his early films are "Ik dilke tukde hazaar huye, koyi yahan gira koyi wahan gira…" in Pyar Ki Jeet (1948 film), , “Ik Pardesi Mera Dil Le Gaya” (Phagun, 1958), “Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu” (Howrah Bridge, 1958), “Dum Dum Diga Diga” (Chhalia, 1960) and “Main To Ik Khwaab Hoon Is Khwaab Se Tu Pyaar Na Kar” (Himalay Ki God Mein,1965).
Right from the age of seven, he started writing poetry in Urdu. There was no encouragement from home, but a wandering poet named Amar Chand Amar met him in his hometown and encouraged him to write, recognising his immense talent and potential.
To try his luck he came to Pune in the early 1940s. In 1942, he wrote lyrics for his first film Zamindar, the song "Duniya me garibonko aaraam nahi milta" sung by Shamshad Begum became popular. Besides writing songs he also wrote dialogues and script for films. In 1944 he wrote dialogues and songs for 1944 film 'Ramshastri' and 'Chand'. The noted dancer Sitara Devi performed some of his songs in Chand (1944). Chand was one of the earliest of Qamarji's successful and memorable films.He worked with S D Burman in 1946 in the film “Eight Days” where the comic song “O Babu Babu Re” became quite popular. He went on to work with music director Sardar Malik on many films.
In 1947, he wrote songs in more than 10 films. "sunti nahi duniya kabhi fariyaad kissi ki" (Renuka, 1947) and the ghazal "Dil kis liye rota hai...pyar ki duniya me, aisa hi hota hai" (sung by Naseem Banu for the film Mulaquat in 1947) became very popular.
He wrote either the script or dialogues for many films such as "Shaheed"(1948), “Munimji” (1955), “Phagun” (1958), “Ujala” (1959), “Maya” (1961) and “Taj Mahal” (1963).
Here are a few of his memorable songs
