Rajendra Krishan- A Low Profile Lyricist and Script Writer

 

Over 200 films as a lyricist; and an incredible 100-plus as a dialogue writer, a huge track record of hits in each capacity in a span of 50 years, Rajendra Krishan was a low profile giant.Though he never formed a prolific team with any specific composer,he wrote hits with generations of composers, from Husnlal-Bhagatram, Shyam Sunder and Anil Biswas to C.Ramachandra and later Hemant Kumar, Madan Mohan, S.D.Burman, and R D Burman.

He wrote all types of songs from philosophical to peppy songs like 'Enna Menna Dekka'(Asha), Gore Gore Banke Chhore(Samadhii)'Aa Jaan-E-Jaan' (Intequam) . Check out a few perennial pearls from his treasury: 'Chup Chup Khade Ho' (Badi Behen) Yeh Hawa Yeh Raat Yeh Chandni(Sangdil), 'Yeh Zindagi Ussiki Hai' (Anarkali), 'Chal Udd Jaa Re Panchhi' (Bhabhi) and 'Yun Hasraton Ke Daag' (Adalat), Woh Bhooli Dastaan' (Sanjog), 'Man Dole Mera Tan Dole' (Nagin) or Mere Saamnewali Khidki Mein' (Padosan), 'Govinda Aala Re' (Bluffmaster), and the patriotic 'Jahaan Daal Daal Par' (Sikander-E-Azam).

He was born on  6 June 1919. In the mid-1940s, he shifted to Bombay (now Mumbai) to become a screenwriter in the Hindi film industry. His first screenplay was Janta (1947). His first film as a lyricist was Zanjeer (1947). He was first noted for the script and lyrics of the Motilal-Suraiya starrer Aaj Ki Rat (1948). He consolidated his position as a lyricist with the films Badi Bahen (1949) and Lahore (1949) and the song he wrote after the death of Mahatma Gandhi,Suno Suno Aye Duniyawalon, Bapu Ki Yeh Amar Kahani. The song was sung by Mohammed Rafi and composed by Husnlal Bhagatram, and was a great hit. 

At his peak, he was called the King of Madras He became a favorite of the South Filmmakers who made remakes of south hit films in Hindi. He reworked these scripts and penned the Hindi dialogues with a pan-Indian appeal, and among such blockbusters were Nazrana, Rakhi (produced by South titan Sivaji Ganesan), Shaadi, Main Chup Rahungi, Waris, Gopi and of course the classic Pyar Kiye Jaa. 

Rajinder Krishan won Filmfare Award for best lyricist for the movie Khandan (1965) for the song "Tumhi mere mandir, tumhi meri pooja". Some of his popular songs are 'Bholi Surat Dil Ke Khote' and 'Shola Jo Bhadke' (Albela), 'Aplam Chaplam' (Azaad), Itna Na Mujhse Tu Pyar Badha' (Chhaya), and 'Aaj Ki Mulaqaat Bas Itni' (Bharosa) in the '60s and in the 70s  'Sukh Ke Sab Saathi' (Gopi), 'O Mere Raja' (Johny Mera Naam), 'Dal Roti Khaao' (Jwar Bhata), 'Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas' (Blackmail), 'Rafta Rafta' (Kahani Kismat Ki), 'Dekha Na Haaye Re Socha Na' (Bombay To Goa) and many more.

He also wrote songs in a few films of the 80s. The last film was Aag Ka Dariya released after his death in 1990. He died on 23 September 1987 in Mumbai. 

Song of Badi Bahen (1949)

Song of Albela (1951)

Song of Sangdil (1952)

Song of Anarkali (1953) 

Song of Nagin (1954)

Song of Azad 1955

Song of Bhai-Bhai (1956)

Song of Asha (1957)

Song of Jailor 1958

Song of Adalat (1958)

Song of Chhaya(1961)

Song of Bharosa(1963)

Song of Sharaabi (1964)

Song of Jahan Ara (1964)

Song of Khandan (1965)

Song of Padosan (1968)

Song of Blackmail (1973) 

Rajendra Krishan - A Great Lyricist

After the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, Krishan wrote a song Suno Suno Aye Duniyawalon, Bapu Ki Yeh Amar Kahani. The song was sung by Mohammed Rafi He also wrote "Jahan daal daal par sone ki" for Sikandar-E-Azam.
He is  is known for his association with the composer C. Ramchandra. He worked with several other music directors including Shankar-Jaikishan, Ravi, Rajesh Roshan, Madan Mohan.
In the mid-1940s, Krishan shifted to Bombay (now Mumbai) to become a screenwriter in the Hindi film industry. His first screenplay was Janta (1947). His first film as a lyricist was Zanjeer (1947). He was first noted for the script and lyrics of the Motilal-Suraiya starrer Aaj Ki Raat (1948). His first success as a lyricist came with the films Badi Bahen (1949) and Lahore (1949).
The 1951 movie Albela was the film in which Rajinder Krishan paired with C Ramchandra to make some very memorable songs.
In 1953, he wrote 4 songs for Anarkali. Ananrkali was his second movie with C Ramchandra. 
He won Filmfare Award for best lyricist for the movie Khandan (1965) for the song "Tumhi mere mandir, tumhi meri pooja".
He died on 23 September 1987 in Mumbai.

Song of Albela 1951

Song of Anarkali 1953

Song of Nagin 1954

Song of Dekh Kabira Roya 1957

Song of Adalat 1958 

Song of Chhaya 1961

 Song of Yeh Raaste Hain Pyar Ke (1963

Song of Bharosa1963

Song of Sharabi 1964

Song of Jahan Ara 1964

Song of Khandan 1965

Song of Blackmail 1973

Abrar Alvi- The man who wrote many classics of Bollywood

In Ten years with Guru Dutt, Abrar Alvi takes us on his nostalgic journey from how he, a simple driver/chaperone became one of the most famous writers in Hindi cinema. The decade of 1953 to 1964 shaped Abrar's life with the exposure to the finest nuances of cinema making he learned from Guru Dutt and how he amazingly belted out dialogues/scripts for the classics like Aar Paar, Mr & Mrs 55, Pyaasa, Kagaz ke Phool to name a few.
He has also directed a single movie in his career for filmmaker Guru Dutt — it’s the classic ‘Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam’ released in 1962, which won President’s Silver Medal for best feature film in Hindi and Filmfare best director award. He lived most of his life as Guru Dutt’s resident writer.

He first met Guru Dutt during the shooting of Baaz in 1953 when Guru Dutt was having problems with a scene in the movie .Abrar Alvi suggested his opinion for that scene. Guru Dutt was so impressed that he invited Abrar to write Aar-Paar, after which Abrar became an integral part of the Guru Dutt team. 
There was a controversy emerged after the successful release of Sahib Biwi Aur Gulam in 1963 that who was the real director of the movie, However, Guru Dutt never denied Abrar Alvi's role in the film, nor did he make any counter-claims when Alvi won the Filmfare Award for Best Director for the film. Abrar Alvi has stated that Guru Dutt did direct the songs in the film, but not the film in its entirety. The editor of the film Y.G. Chawan says that for the film, it was Abrar who sat with him. 
After this controversy ,Abrar, however, continued to pen screenplay and dialogue for several movies, some of these were hits, such as Baharen Phir Bhi Ayengi,Professor, Suraj, Sungharsh, Saathi,Prince etc.

He also acted in Laila Majnu (1976) and 12 O’Clock (1958).

Abrar Alvi died due to a stomach complication on 18th November 2009 in Mumbai at the age of 82. He is still remembered for his simple and clear dialogues in Indian Cinema.

Song of Aar Paar 1954

Song of Pyaasa 1957

Song of Kagaz Ke Phool 1959

Song of Chaudvin Ka Chand 1959

Song of Sahib Biwi Aur  Gulam 1962

Qamar Jalalabadi - Who wrote “Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu” and “Aayiye Meherbaan”

Qamar Jalalabadi (9 March 1917 – 9 January 2003) was born as Om Prakash Bhandari in a Punjabi family in the Jalalabad town near Amritsar. Right from the age of seven he starting writing poetry in Urdu. 
He wrote more than 700 songs for nearly 160 films, from 1940 to 1980. Besides songs, he wrote either the script or dialogues of "Shaheed"(1948), “Munimji” (1955), “Phagun” (1958), “Ujala” (1959), “Maya” (1961) and “Taj Mahal” (1963). 
His other notable songs include “Ik Dil Ke Tukde Hazaar Hue” (Pyar Ki Jeet, 1948), “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).
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. One of their hits was “Sunti Nahi Duniya” (“Renuka”, 1947).
. In 1942, he wrote lyrics for his first film Zamindar which was a Pancholi Pictures production and the songs of this film were very well received, especially the song sung by Shamshad Begum "Duniya me garibonko aaraam nahi milta", which also had a line or two written by writer and poet Behzad Lucknawi.
As a lyricist, Qamar Jalalabadi was very versatile. On one hand, he wrote mesmeric duets like "sun meri saanwari mujhko kahin tum bhool na jana…" sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Mohd. Rafi (film: Aansoo 1953) and on the other hand he penned comic relief songs like "khush hai zamana aaj pehli tarikh hai" endured with full throttle gusto by Kishore Kumar (film: Pehli Tarikh-1954). This song turned into a veritable anthem and was played on Radio Ceylon on the first of every month for decades, and it probably still is.His brush with comedy was seen next in Aansoo Aur Muskan with, " Guni jano, Bhakt jano…" sung by Kishore Kumar as an actor in the movie.
In his long career span he worked for several Film Companies like; Prabhat Film Company, Pancholi Pictures, Filmistan Ltd., Famous Pictures, Minerva Movietone, Prakash Pictures, Wadia Films Ltd., Filmkar Ltd., Sippy Films, N.C Sippy Films, Shri Shakti Films, Mitra Productions and many more. He composed the title track of the popular television serial Vikram aur Betaal.
He was an acclaimed Adabi Shayar and graced many Urdu recitals all over the nation. Apart from that, he was the founder and member of the Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS) and the Film Writers Association in India.

Song of Pyar ki Jeet (1948)

Song of Pehli Tareekh 1954

Song of Howrah Bridge (1958)

Song of Howrah Bridge (1958)

Song of Phagun (1958)

Song of Chhalia (1960)

Song of Johar Mehmood In Goa (1965)

Song of Himalay Ki God Mein (1965)

Song of Upkar (1967)

Song of Holi Ayee Re (1970)

Song of Aansoo Aur Muskan (1971)

Happy Birthday JAVED AKHTAR-The Dialogue-Weaver and Lyrical Maestro

Javed Akhtar was born on 17th Jan 1945 in Gwalior. His father Jan Nisar Akhtar was a Bollywood film songwriter and Urdu poet, and his mother Safia Akhtar was a singer, teacher and writer. He spent most of his childhood and was schooled in Lucknow. He graduated from Saifiya College in Bhopal
When Javed Akhtar arrived in Mumbai in 1964, he was a homeless man without any food or shelter. He struggled to find work in the Hindi film industry. He used to sleep under trees, or in corridors, until he took shelter in Kamal Amrohi Studio in Jogeshwari.
Initially he started working as a Clapper Boy in films,he met Salim Khan for the first time while filming ‘Sarhadi Lootera’, where Salim was an actor and Javed was a clapper boy. Javed was later made the dialogue-writer of the film as director SM Sagar was unable to find one.
He was offered to write a screenplay by Mr Devar of south for his south remake in hindi,he went to Salim Khan to join him for this film as a script writer.Later both were hired by G. P. Sippy's Sippy Films as resident screenwriters and produced the screenplays for successful films like Andaz, Seeta Aur Geeta, Sholay and Don.
Their first big success was the script for Andaz, followed by Adhikar (1971), Haathi Mere Saathi andSeeta Aur Geeta (1972). They also had hits in Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973), Zanjeer (1973), Haath Ki Safai (1974), Deewaar (1975), Sholay (1975), Chacha Bhatija (1977), Don (1978), Trishul (1978), Dostana (1980), Kranti (1981), Zamana (1985) and Mr. India (1987). They have worked together in 24 films including two Kannada films – Premada Kanike and Raja Nanna Raja. Of the 24 films they wrote 20 were hits.They  described as "the most successful scriptwriters of all-time", are also noted to be the first scriptwriters in Indian cinema to achieve star status. Javed and Salim split in 1982 due to ego issues.
He was aproached by Yash Chopra in 1981 to write Lyrics for his film Silsila,that was the first film when he emerged as a  successful Lyricist.It was in 1997 film Saaz where he recieved his National Award for the Best Lyricist and first Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist in 1995 for "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha" from 1942: A Love Story.
Javed and his first wife Honey Irani, whom he met on the sets of ‘Seeta Aur Geeta’, share the same birth date, January 17,with whom he had two children, Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar, both film directors and actors.Javed divorced Irani and later married Shabana Azmi, the daughter of another Urdu poet, Kaifi Azmi.

 Javed Akhtar has won the Filmfare Award fourteen times - seven times for Best Script, and seven times for Best Lyrics. He has won the National Award five times. In 2013, he received the Sahitya Akademi Award in Urdu, India's second highest literary honour, for his poetry collection ‘Lava’. He is also a recipient of the Padma Shri (1999), Padma Bhushan (2007).He was a Rajya sabha M P from 2009 to 2015.

Listen & Enjoy the Magical Lyrics of Javed Akhtar. On his 72nd Birthday, 

Song from Silsila 1981

Song from Saath Saath 1982

Song from Saagar 1985

Song from Tezaab 1988

Song from 1942 A love Story 1994

Song from  Papa Kehte Hai 1996

Song from Saaz 1996

Song from Border 1997

Song from Yes Boss 1997

Song from Duplicate 1998

Song from Refugee 2000

Song from Lagaan 2001

Song from Kal Ho Na Ho 2003

Song from Main Hoon Na (2004)

Song from Veer-Zaara (2004)

Song from Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna 2006

Song from Jodhaa Akbar