Last weekend I wrote about the Bollywood lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi, continuing with the lyricist series, this time I am writing about the top songs written by another lyricist. Although this person’s career as Lyricist was not very long because at the prime of his age, he died due to cardiac problem. He gave the new dimensions to the lyrics, as he used to write in very simple language, which could be easily understood by a common person. Friends, I am talking about one of the greatest lyricist of Bollywood, and he is SHAILENDRA.
He started his career with Raj Kapoor’s Barsaat in 1949, although initially he never wanted to write songs for Hindi films, but financial circumstances pushed him to do the same. Barsaat was first film for composers Shankar & Jaikishan and also for another lyricist Hasrat Jaipuri. These four formed a deadly combination and both Shailendra & Hasrat were always lyricists in all the films where Shankar Jaikishan composed the music, till Shailendra died. Although both Hasrat & Shailendra worked with other composers, but it was their pairing with Shankar Jaikishan which gave some of the out standing songs for Hindi films.
I am giving below the list of my favourite songs penned by Shailendra. Please note that listing is in random order
1 Awara Hoon, Ya Gardish Mein Aasman Ka Tara Hoon- Awara (Film-F), Mukesh (Singer-S). Shankar Jaikishan (Music Director-MD). On screen Raj Kapoor.
2 Pyar Hua Ikraar Hua, Pyar Se Phir Kyoon Darta Hai Dil- Shri 420 (F), Manna Dey and Lata Mangeshkar (S), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On screen Raj Kapoor & Nargis.
3 Tu Pyar Ka Saagar Hai- Seema (F), Manna Dey (S), Shankar Jaikishan (MD).On screen Balraj Sahni.
4 Dum Bhar Jo Udhar Muh Phere- Awara (F), Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh(S), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On screen Raj Kapoor & Nargis.
5 Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna Hai- Guide (F), Lata Mangeshkar (S), SD Burman (MD). On screen Waheeda Rehman with Dev Anand.
6 Khoya Khoya Chand, Khula Aasman- KalaBazaar (F), Mohd Rafi (S),SD Burman (MD). On screen Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman.
7 Ye Raat Bheegi Bheegi, Ye Mast Fizayen- Chori Chori (F), Manna Dey & Lata Mangeshkar,Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On screen Raj Kapoor & Nargis.
8 Suhana Safar Aur Ye Mausam Haseen- Madhumati (F), Mukesh (S), Salil Chowdhary (MD). On screen Dilip Kumar.
9 Ye Mera Deewanapan Hai,Ya Mohabbat Ka Suroor- Yahudi (F), Mukesh (S), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On screen Dilip Kumar.
10 Mera Naam Raju, Gharana Anaam- Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai (F), Mukesh (S), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On screen Raj Kapoor.
11 Nani Teri Morni Ko Mor Le Gaye- Masoom (F), Rano Mukherjee (S), Hemant Kumar (MD). On screen Honey Irani.
12 Kisiki Muskrahton Ho Nisaar- Anari (F), Mukesh (S), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On screen Raj Kapoor.
13 Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh Mud Mud Ke- Shri 420 (F), Asha Bhosle & Manna Dey (S), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On screen Nadira & Raj Kapoor.
14 Nanhe Munhe Bachche Teri Muthi Mein Kya Hai- Boot Polish (F), Mohd Rafi & Asha Bhosle (S). On screen David , Baby Naaz & Master Romi.
15 Barsaat Mein Humse Mile Tum Sajan- Barsaat (F), Lata Maneshkar (S), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On screen Nimmi.
16 Dost Dost Na Raha, Pyar Pyar Na Raha- Sangam (F), Mukesh (S), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On screen Raj Kapoor with Vyjayantimala & Rajendra Kumar.
17 Chalat Musafir Moh Liya Re Pinjrewali Muniya- Teesri Kasam (F), Manna Dey (S), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On screen Kishan Dhawan with Raj Kapoor.
18 Chahe Koi Mujhe Junglee Kahe- Junglee (F), Mohd Rafi (S), Shankar Jaikishan(MD). On screen Shammi Kapoor with Saira Banu.
19 Zindagi Khwab Hai, Khwab Mein Jhooth Kya- Jaagte Raho (F), Mukesh (S), Salil Chowdhary (MD). On screen Motilal with Raj Kapoor.
20 Hum Kaale Hain To Kya Hua Dilwale Hain- Gumnaam (F), Mohd Rafi & Mehmood (S), Shankar Jaikishan. On screen Mehmood with Helen.
21 Ae Mere Dil Kahin Aur Chal, Gham Ki Duniya Se- Daag (F), Talat Mehmood (S).Shankar Jaikishan (MD).On screen Dilip Kumar.
22 Khuli Palak Mein Jhootha Gussa, Bund Palak Mein Pyar-Professor (F), Mohd Rafi (S), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On screen Shammi Kapoor with Kalpana.
23 Ghar Aaya Mera Pardesi, Pyas Bujhi Ankhiyan Ki- Awara (F), Lata Mangeshkar (S), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On screen Nargis with Raj Kapoor.
24 O Sajna Barkha Bahar Aayi- Parakh (F), Lata Mangeshkar (S), Salil Chowdhary (MD). On screen Sadhana.
24 Bahut Diya Denewale Ne Tujhko- Soorat Aur Seerat (F), Mukesh(S), Roshan (MD). On screen Dharmendra.
25 Aaha Rimjhim Ke Ye Pyare Pyare Geet Liye- Usne Kaha Tha (F), Talat Mehmood & Lata Mangeshkar (S), Salil Chowdhary (MD). On screen Sunil Dutt and Nanda.
26 Din Dhal Jaaye, Par Raat Na Jaaye- Guide (F), Moha Rafi (S), SD Burman (MD). On screen Dev Anand with Waheeda Rehman.
27 Rula Ke Gaya Sapna Mera-Guide (F), Lata Mangeshkar (S), SD Burman (MD). On screen Waheeda Rehman with Dev Anand.
28 O Mere Maajhi, Mere Sajan Hain Us Paar- Bandini (F), SD Burman (S & MD).On screen it is background song featuring Nutan & Ashok Kumar.
29 Lakhon Taare Aasman Pe, Ek Magar Dhoonde Na Mila-Haryali Aur Raasta (F), Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh (S), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On screen Mala Sinha & Manoj Kumar.
30 Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh, Kahan Shuru Kahan Khatam- Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai (F), Lata Mangeshkar (S), Shankar Jaikishan (MD).On screen Meena Kumari with Raaj Kumar & Nadira.
So above are the list of songs which are penned by Shailendra and are my most favourite. I started the list with more than 80 songs andthen curtailed the list to 30 songs. If you have any other Shailendra’s song which is your favourite, please do write to me in comments column.
Awaiting your views/comments/feed backs.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
7th Sept 2019.
R. N. Mungale.
Shailendra was a great lyricist. I can understand the difficulties of Mr. Malik in curtailing the list from 60 to 30.