100th Birth Anniversary of Shailendra: Today is the birthday of the writer of numerous classics including ‘Awara Hoon’, ‘Ramayya Vastavaiya’, ‘Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh Mud Mud Ke’, ‘Mera Shoe Hai Japanese’, ‘Aaj Phir Jeene Ki’ and ‘Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega’. of the poet Shailendra. The whole country is celebrating his 100th birth anniversary. Even after 100 years, Shailendra rules the hearts of millions with his songs. I don’t know how many people of our generation have grown up listening and humming Shailendra’s songs.
You are alive, you believe in the victory of life
If there is heaven, bring it down to earth
Who would not be aware of these lines conveying new enthusiasm and energy in life? But very few people know that these verses belong to Shailendra. Having given hit songs in superhit films like Shree 420, Guide, Sangam, Anari, Teesri Kasam, Madhumati, Chori-Chori, Awara, Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai and Dil Ek Mandir, Shailendra’s compositions inspire us every step of the way. .
Veteran lyricists of the film world still appreciate the brilliance of Shailendra’s writing. Famous lyricist Javed Akhtar said during a discussion that Shailendra was a genius.
It is said about Shailendra that he used to write songs while walking. Shailendra’s son Dinesh Shankar and daughter Amala Shankar have narrated interesting stories about their father during their many visits. Dinesh reveals that his father had a special attachment to Mathura, the birthplace of Sri Krishna. His mind resided in Mathura. Referring to an incident recorded in Shailendra’s diary, Dinesh Shankar somewhere says that Baba (Sailendra) mentioned in his diary a poet’s convention in Mathura. During this poet convention, a foreign youth approached him with his two daughters and the daughters took poet Shailendra’s autograph. Baba was very happy after autographing the girls and this pleasant feeling remained for life.
Great songs composed on the fly
Dinesh Shankar narrated another incident in an interview saying that Shailendra ji used to write songs while walking. Once there is an incident that Shankar-Jaikishan and Shailendra Ji were drinking tea at a dhaba. A boy from Andhra Pradesh was working there. Shankara shouted to that boy – O Ramaiya-vastavaiya. Immediately these words came out of Shailendra Ji’s mouth – I have given my heart to you. And later it proved to be a classic song – “Ramaiya-Vastavaiya, Ramaiya-Vastavaiya Maine Dil Tuzko Diya”.
Another story goes like this: Baba (Shailendra) bought a new car. Baba went for a car ride with his friends. The car stopped at a red light. Meanwhile, a girl came and stood near the car. Everyone sitting in the car started looking at the girl from the corner of their eyes. When the green light came, the car moved forward. But Shankar turned his head and looked at the girl. On this came out of Baba’s mouth – ‘Twisted and Twisted’. The song was later used in the film Mr. 420 and proved to be a superhit song of its time. And not just one or two, there are stories of many songs that were born while talking to someone or commenting on someone.
Most expensive songstress but only 500 rupees salary
Born on August 30, 1923 in Rawalpindi, Punjab (now in Pakistan), Shailendra was a popular poet, lyricist and filmmaker. During 1947, Shailendra was doing a menial job in the workshop of the Indian Railways at Matunga, Bombay. Along with the job, he also wrote songs and started participating in poet conventions and mushairas. Shailendra was associated with Progressive Writers Association and IPTA.
Once in a Mushayra, Shailendra was reciting his poem ‘Jalta Hai Punjab’. Showman Raj Kapoor Sahib was also present in that Mushayra. Raj Kapoor loved this poem and proposed to Shailendra to sell it for his film ‘Aag’. But Shailendra refused to sell the song.
After some time when Shailendra needed money, he came to Raj Kapoor. He borrowed Rs 500 from Raj Kapoor. After the work was completed, when he went to return the borrowed money, Raj Kapoor refused to take the money and instead asked him to write two songs for the film ‘Barsaat’.
Ahmed Faraz famous song – ‘Come here to hurt my heart, leave me again’
After this, Shailendra joined Rajkupar and started working at RK Studios. Shailendra’s daughter Amala Shankar says that after the film Barsaat, Rajkooper ji and Baba started a friendship that lasted for life. She says that when Baba started working at RK Studio, his monthly salary was Rs. 500 and till his last breath his salary was Rs. 500 remained. While he was the most expensive lyricist of his time.
Be it Shailendra’s songs or any poetry, his compositions contain a deep philosophy of life and that too in a way that even a common man can easily understand-
Life counts every breath.
And life only offers reassurance
Working with rotla dreams
Today has slipped into yesterday
The day is over
You too sleep
A colorful evening
Shailendra may not be with us today, but his creations will continue to inspire people on this earth for centuries and we will remember him in his own words-
future generations
While proudly repeating that we are human
So that they can be counted on the fingers
They may remember a few names
With letters spelling your name
It is written!
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Tags: Hindi literature, Hindi writer, Literature
First published: August 30, 2023, 14:24 IST