In today’s weekend blog, I am writing about one of the greatest lyricists of Bollywood whose career span was for more than five decades. He worked in the era of famous lyricists like Shailendra, Sahir Ludhianvi, and Shakeel Badayuni. His real name was Asrar ul Hassan Khan, but we know him by his pen name MAJROOH SULTANPURI.
He was born on 1st October 1919 in a Rajput Muslim family, in Sultanpur, UP. His early education was in Madarsa, and later he became Unani Hakeem. From the early days, he started writing ghazals and started participating in Mushairas. He came to Bombay in Mid mid-1940s to participate in mushaira. Fate took him to AR Kardar (producer & director), who introduced him to music director Naushad, and who was instrumental in getting Majrooh his first film Shahjahan. His next big break came with Mehboob Khan’s Andaz in 1949.
He was sentenced to two years imprisonment due to his politically charged poems (anti-Nehru regime) in 1949. Having to start his film career afresh, he broke through again with Guru Dutt Films Baaz (1953), and after that, there was no looking back.
During his career he worked with many music directors like Naushad, Anil Biswas, OP Nayyar Ghulam Mohd., Madan Mohan, SD Burman, Roshan, Salil Choudhary, Chitragupt, Kalyanji Anandji, Laxmikant Pyarelal, RD Burman, N Datta, Anand Milind, Jatin Lalit, and many more.
His last film as a lyricist was One 2 ka 4, which was released after he died in 2001. He died in 2000.
He won his only Filmfare award for best lyricist for the song ‘Chahoonga main Tujhe Sanjh Savere’ from the film Dosti(1964). He was the first lyricist to be awarded the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award in 1993.
In his career, Majrooh has written lyrics for about 350 films. His forte was light romantic songs, but he was very well-versed in serious poetry/ghazals. He was one of the great lyricists of the golden era of music (1940s to 1970s).
Choosing his best songs from the thousands of songs that he has penned is a difficult task. Given below are some of my favourite songs penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri, with their YouTube links
Film (F), Singer (S), and Music Director (MD)
1 Jab Dil Hi Toot Gaya, Hum Jeekar Kya Karenge– Shahjahan (F-1946), KL Sehgal (S), Naushad (MD). On screen KL Sehgal.
https://youtu.be/nQQPV-DtY3s?si=ZrSAtlAXwdtdwCUi
- Chod Do Aanchal Zamana Kya Kahega– Paying Guest (F-1957), Lata Mangeshkar& Kishore Kumar (S), SD Burman (MD). On screen Dev Anand & Nutan.
https://youtu.be/QUyFoyHT8s8?si=2bMgtjMcjVOkXoh8
3 Jhoom Jhoom Ke Naacho Aaj, Gao Khushi Ke Geet Re– Andaz (F-1949), Mukesh (S), Naushad (MD). On screen- Dilip Kumar.
https://youtu.be/Sln3l13aNIU?si=CHmTRpPWrOiqxOlX
4 Hum Bekhudi Mein Tumko Pukare Chale Gaye– Kala Pani (F-1958), Mohd Rafi (S), SD Burman (MD). On screen- Dev Anand.
https://youtu.be/Bz4SvsSCoxE?si=eWCV0z7t_0reUACl
5 Jalte Hain Jiske Liye, Teri Yaadon Ke Diye, Dhoond Laya Hoon– Sujata (F-1959), Talat Mehmood (S), SD Burman (MD). On screen Sunil Dutt with Nutan.
6 Na Tum Hamen Jaano, Na Hum Tumhe Jaane– Baat Ek Raat Ki (F-1962), Hemant Kumar (S), SD Burman (MD). On-screen Dev Anand with Waheeda Rehman.
https://youtu.be/k2T6oEutFTE?si=FYJgT5KHQipP53V2
7 Deewana Mastana Hua Dil, Jaane Kahan Hoke Bahar Aayi– Bambai Ka Babu (F-1961), Mohd Rafi & Asha Bhosle (S), SD Burman (MD). On screen Dev Anand & Suchitra Sen.
https://youtu.be/dlYo9OfpRvg?si=nEbdNOYzkfFHfc0d
8 Khwab Ho Ya Tum Koi Haqeeqat, Kaun Ho Tum Batlao– Teen Deviyan (F-1965). Kishore kumar (S), SD Burman (MD). On screen Dev Anand.
https://youtu.be/Jw4wLVnFJ-E?si=PmapZKwSDVzVwfj-
9 Chahoonga Main Tujhe Sanjh Saveere, Phir Bhi Kabhi– Dosti (F-1964). Mohd Rafi (S), Laxmikant Pyarelal. On screen Sudhir Kumar
https://youtu.be/C1CLFK9T028?si=avRfJQuSFca5QY2A
10 Deewana Mujhsa Nahin Is Ambar Ke Neeche– Teesri Manzil (F-1966), Mohd Rafi (S), RD Burman (MD). On screen Shammi Kapoor with Asha Parekh.
https://youtu.be/ZNgjQ1AnaGw?si=aiX4cQZHucrxHzEw
11 Aapne Yaad Dilaya To Mujhe Yaad Aaya- Aarti (F-1962), Mohd Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar (S), Roshan (MD). On screen Meena Kumari & Pradeep Kumar.
https://youtu.be/NtRnrhOvLXw?si=eAJqxi_OQ3Mz9AwN
12 Aaja Piya Tohe Pyar Doon, Gori Baiyan Jara Thaam Loon– Baharon Ke Sapne (F-1966). Lata Mangeshkar (S), RD Burman (MD). On screen Asha Parekh & Rajesh Khanna.
https://youtu.be/T1FcSe-J2HQ?si=3J9c04vhdea_tTCk
13 Tum Bin Jaaoon Kahan, Ke Duniya Mein Aake Lagta Nahin– Pyar Ka Mausam (F-1970), Mohd Rafi (S), RD Burman (MD). On screen Shashi Kapoor with Asha Parekh.
https://youtu.be/TKxirYqKfdU?si=7y8Zxrv8f8SZBddK
14 Yaadon Ki Baarat Nikli Hai Dil Ke Dware– Yaadon Ki Baarat (f-1973). Mohd Rafi and Kishore Kumar (S), RD Burman (MD). On screen Taariq and Vijay Arora.
https://youtu.be/lXJvs–SlJE?si=idilQwLLakTzpMVl
15 Teri Bindiya Re, Sanam Nindiya Le Legi Meri Bindiya– Abhimaan (F-1973), Mohd Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar (S), SD Burman (MD). On-screen Amitabh Bachchan & Jaya Bhaduri.
https://youtu.be/uf95uvIRTjI?si=evH4sPoHesdRgpz2
16 Kya Hua Tera Waada, O Sanam Wof Irada- Hum Kisise Kam Nahin (F-1977), Mohd Rafi (S), RD Burman (MD). On screen Taariq with Kajal Kiron.
https://youtu.be/LgdQDvgv7KA?si=PwKeC6i-N8lbG62l
17 Papa Kehte Hain Bada Naam Karega– Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (F-1988), Udit Narayan (S), Anand Milind (MD). On screen Aamir Khan.
https://youtu.be/FEvBiayarlc?si=tvlErSEfYblUXX-7
18 Chupa Lo Dil Mein Yun Pyar Mera, Jaise Mandir Mein– Mamta (F-1966), Lata Maneshkar & Hemant Kumar (S), Roshan (MD), On screen-featuring Ashok Kumar & Suchitra Sen.
https://youtu.be/oFniFvMe6aE?si=MRN6is-SXldjRNMp
19 Hothon Mein Aisi Baat Main Dabake Chali Aayi– Jewel Thief (F-1967), Lata Maneshkar & Bhupendra, SD Burman (MD). On screen Vyjayantimala & Dev Anand.
https://youtu.be/tOMT-uDPUdg?si=EWlPnwFyvNuF-U1x
20 Pehla Nasha, Pehla Khummar, Naya Pyar Hai– Jo jeeta Wohi Sikandar (F-1992), Udit Narayan & Sadhana Sargam (S), Jatin Lalit (MD). On screen Aamir Khan & Ayesha Jhulka.
https://youtu.be/SBfPs-PMGTA?si=qfczIIviaH5nk6b4
Friends, please write about your favourite songs penned by Majrooh in the comments.
Waiting for your feedback on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
8th March 2024