For last few weekends, I wrote about playback singers of golden era of Hindi film music. From this weekend, I am starting to write about Lyricists (song writers) of that era. The first lyricist I have chosen is the one, who started his career in early 50s,and the songs written by him were very popular. He used to write all type of songs- romantic, naughty, sad, comedy songs but he had a mastery in writing philosophical and hard hitting songs and some of his songs are still popular after so many decades, and there were some producers/directors of that era who used him for every film of theirs. Yes friends, I am talking about Sahir Ludhianvi.
I am listing below some of my favourite songs penned by Sahir Ludhianvi. Please note that the songs are in random order.
1 Abhi Na Jao Chod ke, Dil Abhi Bhara Nahin- Hum Dono(Film-F), Mohd Rafi & Asha Bhosle (Singers- S), Jaidev (Music Director-MD). On screen Dev Anand and Sadhana.
2 Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein Khayal Aata Hai- Kabhie Kabhi (F), Mukesh & Lata Mangeshkar (S), Khayyam (MD).On screen Amitabh Bachchan & Rakhee.
3 Mere Dil Mein Aaj Kya Hai, Tu Kahe To Main- Daag (F), Kishore Kumar (S), Lamikant Pyarelal (MD). On screen Rajesh Khanna with Sharmila Tagore.
4 Jo Wada Kiya Hai,Who Nibhana Padega- Taj Mahal (F), MohdRafi & Lata Mangeshkar (S),Roshan (MD). On screen Pradeep Kumar & Bina Rai.
5 Ae MeriZohra Jabeen, Tujhe Maloom Nahin- Waqt (F), Manna Dey (S), Ravi (MD). On screen Balraj Sahni with Achla Sachdev.
6 Zindai Bhar Nahin Bhoolegi, Who Barsaat Ki Raat- Barsaat Ki Raat (F), Mohd Rafi (S), Roshan (MD). On screen Bharat Bhushan with Madhubala.
7 Ude Jab Jab Zulfen Teri- Naya Daur (F), Mohd Rafi & Asha Bhosle (S), OP Nayyar (MD).On screen Dilip Kumar & Vyjayantimala.
8 Yeh Raat Yeh Chandni Phir Kahan, Sun Ja Dil Ki Dastaan- Jaal (F), Hemant Kumar (S), SD Burman (MD). On screen Dev Anand with Geeta Bali.
9 Tum Agar Saath Dene Ka Vaada Karo- Humraaz (H), Mahendra Kumar (S), Ravi (MD).On screen Sunil Dutt with Vimi.
10 Hum Aap Ki Ankhon Mein Is Dil Ko Basa Den To- Pyasa (F), Mohd Rafi and Geeta Dutt (S), SD Burman. On screen Guru Dutt & Mala Sinha.
11 Na Munh Chupa Ke Jiyo, Na Sar Jhuka Ke Jiyo- Humraaz (F), Mahendra Kapoor (S). Ravi (MD). On screen Sunil Dutt with others.
12 Chalo Ek Baar Phir Se Aznabi Ban Jayen Hum Dono- Gumrah (F), Mahendra Kapoor (S), Ravi (MD). On screen Sunil Dutt with Mala Sinha & Ashok Kumar.
13 Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaaye To Kya Hai- Pyasa (F), Mohd Rafi (S), SD Burman (MD). On screen Guru Dutt with Waheeda Rehman & Mala Sinha.
14 Jaane Who Kaise Log The, Jinko Pyar Se Pyar Mila –Pyasa(F), Hemant Kumar (S), SD Burman (MD). On screen Guru Dutt with Mala Sinha.
15 Aurat Ne Janam Diya Mardonko, Mardon Ne Use Baazar Diya- Sadhana (F), Lata Mangeshkar, N Dutta (MD). On screen Vyjayantimala.
16 Tu Hindu Banega Na Musalmaan Banega- Dhoo Ka Phool (F), Mohd Rafi (S), N Dutta (MD).On screen Manmohan Krishna.
17 Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya- Hum Dono (F), Mohd Rafi (S), Jaidev (MD). On screen Dev Anand.
18 Babul Ki Duayen Leti Ja, Tujhko Sukhi Sansaar Mile- Neelkamal (F), Mohd Rafi (S), Ravi (MD). On screen-Background Song.
19 Dukhi Man Mere, Sun Mera Kehna- Funtoosh(F), Kishore Kumar (S), SD Burman (MD).On screen Dev Anand
20 Jaayen ToJaayen Kahan, Samjhega Kaun Yahan –Taxi Driver (F), Talat Mehmood (S), SD Burman (MD). On screen Dev Anand.
21 Tu Mere Pyar Ka Phool Hai Ya Meri Bhool Hai- Dhool Ka Phool(F), Lata Mangeshkar (S), N Dutta (MD).On screen Mala Sinha.
22 Tadbeer Se Bigdi Hui Taqdeer Banale- Baazi (F), Geeta Dutt (S), SD Burman (MD).On screen Geeta Bali with Dev Anand.
23 Reshmi Salwaar Kurta Jaalika- Naya Daur (F), Mohd Rafi and Asha Bhosle (S), OP Nayyar (MD).
24 Sar Jo Tera Chakraye, Ya Dil Dooba Jaaye- Pyasa (F), Mohd Rafi (S), SD Burman (MD). On screen Johny Walker.
25 Chahe Koi Khush Ho Ya Gaaliyan Hazaar De- Taxi Driver (F), Kishore Kumar (S), SD Burman (MD).On screen Dev Anand, Johny Walker and others.
26 Na To Caravan Ki Talash Hai- Barsaat Ki Raat (F), Mohd Rafi, Manna Dey, Asha Bhosle, Sudha Malhotra (S), Roshan (MD). On screen Bharat Bhushan, Shyama, and others.
27 Aaj Kyoon Humse Parda Hai-Sadhana (F), Mohd Rafi & S Balbir (S), N Dutta (MD). On screen Jr Artists with Vyjayantimala.
28 Laaga Chunari Mein Daag Chupaoon Kaise- Dil Hi To Hai (F), Manna Dey (S), Roshan (MD). On screen Raj Kapoor with others.
29 Nighahen Milane Ko Jee Chahta Hai- Dil Hi To Hai (F), Asha Bhosle (S), Roshan (MD).On screen Nutan with Raj Kapoor and Pran.
30 Tum Apna Ranjo Gham Apni Pareshani Mujhe Dedo- Shagun(F), Jagjit Kaur (S), Khayyam (MD). On screen Nivedita with Kamaljeet.
31 Jeevan Ke Safar Mein Rahi, Milte Hain Bichad- Munimji (F), Kishore Kumar (S), SD Burman (MD). On screen Dev Anand with Nalini Jayawant.
32 Aage Bhi Jaane na Tu, Peeche Bhi Jaane Na Tu- Waqt (F), Asha Bhosle (S), Ravi (MD).On screen Ensemble Cast.
33 Husn Haazir Hai Mohabbat Ki Saza Paane Ko- Lala Majnu (F), Lata Mangeshkar (S), Madan Mohan (MD).On screen Ranjeeta with Rishi Kapoor.
34 Jab Bhi Jee Chahe Nayi Duniya Basa Lete Hain Log- Daag (F), Lata Mangeshkar (S), Laxmikant Pyarelal(MD). On screen Sharmila Tagore with Rajesh Khanna.
35 Teri Duniya Mein Jeene Se To Behtar Hai Ke Mar Jaayen- House No 44 (F),Hemank Kumar (S), SD Burman (MD).On screen Dev Anand.
These are some of my favourite songs written by Sahir Ludhianvi, my original list had almost double the songs, but in the end I curtailed the list to show how versatile he was, who could write on many varied topics to suit the situation in the film. Some of his songs were really masterpiece.
Please let me know, if you have any other songs written by Sahir which are your favourite.
Awaiting your views/feed backs/comments.
Anil Malik
Mumbai,India
30th Aug, 2019.