In today’s weekend blog, I am writing about a Hindi film lyricist who did not get much popularity as a lyricist. However, he was in the league of Sahir Ludhianvi and Majrooh Sultanpuri, who were first Shahyar (poet) and later turned to writing lyrics of Hindi film songs. I am talking about KAIFI AZMI. He was born in 1919, and his real name was Athar Hussain Rizvi. He started writing in his younger days and started reciting his ghazals in mushaira from the early 1940s. He started as a lyricist in 1951 with the Hindi film Buzdil, but he gained popularity by the late 1950s.
He had a very fruitful association with director Chetan Anand and music director Madan Mohan, and this combination had given such wonderful films with great music like Haqeekat, Aakhri Khat, Hanste Zakhm, Heer Ranjha, Hindustan Ki Kasam, and many more.
He was married to Shaukat Azmi, a theatre and film artist, and they had two children, a daughter who is very famous actress of Hindi cinema, and She is Shabana Azmi. Their son Baba Azmi is famous cinematographer.
Here is the list of my favourite songs written by Kaifi Azmi. Please note the list is in random order.
{ Abbr used Film (F), Singer (S), Music Director (MD)}
1 Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahi Ho, Kya Gham Hai Jisko Chuppa Rahi Ho – Arth 1983 (F). Jagjit Singh (S and MD). On screen- Raaj Kiran with Shabana Azmi.
https://youtu.be/C8eAKT-zQXk?si=JVZk3PVj178lbu1G
2 Yeh Duniya Yeh Mehfil, Mere Kaam Ki Nahin– Heer Ranjha 1970 (F). Mohd Rafi (S), Madan Mohan (MD). On screen- Raaj Kumar.
https://youtu.be/EHcy-rquIZ4?si=4VWAS7_czNZrwbRS
3 Chalte Chalte Yunhi Koi MilGaya Tha– Pakeezha 1972 (F). Lata Mangeshkar (S), Ghulam Mohd (MD). On screen- Meena Kumari.
https://youtu.be/X-40R7SfXJ4?si=TDv7NNhhX18lzngn
4 Tum Jo Mil Gaye Ho, To Yeh Lagta Hai Ke Jahan Mil Gaya– Hanste Zakhm 1973(F). Mohd Rafi(S), Madan Mohan (MD). On screen- Navin Nischal and Priya Rajvansh.
https://youtu.be/7cQaLY4sUDo?si=npNRKUzrwjtTdGFY
5 Waqt Ne Kiya Kya Haseen Sitam, Tum Rahe Na Tum Hum Rahe Na Hum– Kaagaz Ke Phool 1959(F). Geeta Dutt (S), SD Burman )MD). On screen—background song featuring Waheeda Rehman and Guru Dutt.
https://youtu.be/3TxjJCEKYvE?si=0AFxfzkquxQ3J7tx
6 Kar Chale Hum Fida Jaan o Tan Saathiyo, Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo- Haqeekat 1964 (F). Mohd Rafi (S). Madan Mohan. On screen-background song featuring ensemble cast.
https://youtu.be/QnJyY9xIa9c?si=cXGWjKDwRChB2E0_
7 Har Taraf Ab Yehi Afsaane Hain, Hum Teri Ankhon Ke Deewane Hain– Hindustan Ki Kasam 1973 (F). Manna Dey (S), Madan Mohan (MD). On screen-Raaj Kumar.
https://youtu.be/1qBVXjsyfqY?si=Cyt_sf-5yWEPPJsS
8 Mile Na Phool To Kaanton Se Dosti Karli– Anokhi Raat 1968 (F). Mohd Rafi (S), Roshan (MD). On screen- Parikshit Shani with Zaheeda.
https://youtu.be/7xIfJdD4AIU?si=o1Bn7PQxc8TerEHu
9 Dheere Dheere Machal Ae Dil e Beqarar Koi Aaata Hai– Anupama 1966 (Film). Lata Mangeshkar (S), Hemant Kumar(MD). On screen- Surekha Pandit with Tarun Bose.
https://youtu.be/e3RiMIAZ1vY?si=2ykGpMMHVPCINhFx
10 Jaane Kya Dhoondti Rehti Hai Yeh Ankhen, Raakh Ke Dher Mein Shola Hai Na Chingari Hai-Shola Aur Shabnam 1961(F). Mohd Rafi (S), Khayyam (MD). On screen Dharmendra.
https://youtu.be/quSaq59Yweo?si=xMkd4-xwzEZtY05F
11 Aur Kuch Der Thehar, Aur Kuch Der Na Ja Tu– Aaakhri Khat 1966 (F). Mohd Rafi (S), Khayyam (MD). On screen- Rajesh Khanna with Indrani Mukherjee.
https://youtu.be/290IbXTOeHU?si=vv_YTRs2tjunacXw
12 Main Yeh Soch Kar Uske Dar Se Utha Tha, Ke Who Rok Legi Mana Legi Mujh Ko– Haqeekat 1964(F). Mohd Rafi (S), Madan Mohan (MD). On screen-Sudhir.
https://youtu.be/Nf9J-bw26DI?si=lrsTMlIweFQHNaQ2
13 Yeh Maana Meri Jaan Mohabbat Saza hai, Magar Is Mein Itna Maza kis Liye Hai– Hanste Zakhm 1973(F). Mohd Rafi, S Balbir (S), Madan Mohan (MD). On screen- Navin Nischal with Priya Rajvansh and others.
https://youtu.be/I7jQYFeGpIo?si=zdo8n-yGxunhG4Y3
14 Jeet Hi Lenge Baazi Hu Tum, Khel Adhura Chute Na– Shola Aur Shabnam 1961 (F). Mohd Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar (S), Khayyam(MD). On screen- Dharmendra and Tarla Mehta.
https://youtu.be/DAXGiEqtGu8?si=S4Y6leCRjoc1c0zw
15 Dekhi Zamane Ki Yaari, Bichade Sabhi Baari Baari– Kaagaz Ke Phool 1959 (F). Mohd Rafi (S), SD Burman (MD). On screen- background song featuring Guru Dutt.
https://youtu.be/s3LFjzxFKbw?si=h_-g7g2IGDXFsfX2
Although Kaifi Azmi did not write lyrics for many films like other lyricists, but whatever he wrote, the songs were very meaningful and as per the situation required in the film.
Waiting for your feedback on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
12th September 2025