Hindi literary critics never gave importance to the lyricist Shailendra when he was alive.

(Vimal Kumar / Vimal Kumar)

Who can forget Shailendra, the immortal lyricist of Hindi films? There was a time when Hindi critics did not give him the importance he deserved. But the people of Russia gave him a lot of love and respect, even the Prime Minister of Russia was crazy about Shailendra’s songs.

You may be surprised to know that when Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru visited Moscow in 1955, the then Prime Minister Balganin welcomed Pandit Nehru by singing the famous song “Awara Hoon Ya Gardish Mein Hoon Asmaan Ka Tara Hoon” from the movie Shree 420. This incident shows that Shailendra became so popular in Russia that the people of Russia became fans of his songs. This information is given in the book ‘Creators of Indian Literature’ series published by Shailendra Par Sahitya Akademi.

Senior narrator Asgar Wajahat says about lyricist Shailendra – “Writing songs for the film was a creative challenge for Shailendra. He had to find a way between his ideology and popularity. His songs have become examples of the best poetry as this risky task is being done with success.

After becoming the most expensive lyricist, Shailendra was getting a salary of only 500 rupees, had a special affinity with Mathura.

Asgar Wajahat also feels sad that Shailendra is not getting importance in the world of Hindi literature. He writes – “In my opinion, Shailendra’s poetry and lyrics have not been done much. He did not find place in Hindi syllabus either. While in my opinion, Shailendra is in no way less than the important Hindi poets who emerged after independence.

Shailendra was originally from Akhtarpur village in Arah district of Bihar but was born on August 30, 1923 in Rawalpindi. Because his father was working there. When lyricist Shailendra’s book of 33 poems “Newta Aur Challenge” was published in 1955, critics did not place it in Hindi literature. At one place in this book Shailendra writes-

In the fields, in the barns,
In mills and factories,
Walking in the ocean waves
of this fertile land
inside a warm womb,
crawling with insects –
They sweat blood!

They grow grain,
They build high palaces,
From coal to iron to gold
establish heaven on earth,
They fill everyone’s stomach
But they starve themselves!

In the collection of poems “Newta and Challenge”, Shailendra invites the country’s leaders to visit the slums of the poor.

Netaji, I salute you our workers,
You accept the invitation of our labors;
Once upon these dirty streets,
Visit Delhi-Shimla, also visit here!

The day you come, write to us.
We will all besiege the railway station;
With slogans of ‘revolution’, with cheers –
Will welcome you with plenty of flowers and garlands!

There will be a crowd for the benefit of darshan, do not panic.
Do not be angry with those who follow you;
Yes, this time get down from the car and sit in the car
Don’t leave us at Birla Ji’s house!

But when his anthology was published in 2013, it was praised by renowned critic Namwar Singh. The author of the book writes that big critics like Ramvilas Sharma initially did not value Shailendra’s poems but changed his opinion when he heard the laborers in Bombay singing Shailendra’s songs. But the Russian people loved Shailendra from the beginning.

In 1959, when the famous Russian scholar Chelyshev brought out a compilation of Indian poets in Russian, it also contained two poems by Shailendra. But Hazari Prasad Dwivedi has not mentioned Shailendra in the history of literature. According to the book, Shailendra’s condition of poverty was such that he did not even have 5 rupees to fill the form in the matriculation examination. Somehow the money was arranged and he topped in Mathura district.

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Shailendra quit his railway job for Rs 200 to write songs for films and Raj Kapoor hired him for Rs 500 per month. However, in this job at RK Studios, Shailendra had the freedom to write songs for non-RK banner films and attend poet conventions.

Later Shailendra started getting 4000 rupees for songs. Shailendra was married on April 2, 1948 to Shakuntala, daughter of a railway master from Jhansi. Initially, Shailendra refused Raj Kapoor to write songs in films, but when his wife became pregnant, he needed money. Then Shailendra took a loan of 500 rupees from Raj Kapoor. And Raj Kapoor got two songs written for the film ‘Barsaat’ in return for this 500 rupees.

Thus began Shailendra’s film journey and he wrote 800 songs for Hindi films. Many of these songs became evergreen songs and till date no lyricist has been able to touch their popularity. But sadly, Shailendra died at the young age of just 43 years.

As soon as the news of his death came, Raj Kapoor, Devanand, singer Mukesh, Shankar-Jaikishan, Hasrat Jaipuri, Basu Bhattacharya, Kamleswar etc. reached his house. A condolence meeting was held on Shailendra’s demise which was presided over by Sahir Ludhianvi. In which Kaifi Azmi, Sardar Jafri, Bharat Vyas, Narendra Sharma, Rajendra Singh Bedi, Krishnachander etc. participated. Raj Kapoor said, “Shaleendra was behind my international image. His songs can never be forgotten. People of entire India will never forget this great artist.

Even today the number of people who love Shailendra is increasing. Jagjivan Ram once wished Shailendra on his birthday and called him the greatest poet after Raidas. His statement is now proving true.

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Tags: Books, Hindi literature, Hindi poetry, literature