Sahir Ludhianvi

Category : Literary | Sub Category : Education Posted on 2022-10-22 07:10:03

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We lost the noted lyricist and Poet Sahir Ludhianvi on the 25^th October 1980.  He was not only a true Indian but an integrating force in our country.  He was a rebel against society, politics religion injustice, custom, tradition and superstition.  His poetry is one long protest against social tyranny and custom.

Born in Ludhiana, on 8^th March, 1921.  He was named Abdul Hai, friends called him ‘Shehzada’, but popularly known as Sahir (The Magician) Ludhianvi.  Sahir’s life-story is very eventful and remarkable.  He was raised by his mother, Sardar Begum.  The parents had separated when he was young “but he had all the love he wanted”.  When she died, a few years before his death, he was shaken.

The 59 year old poet had kept up a high standard of literary quality in his work in a period spanning more than three decades.  Perhaps more than any of his colleagues, who came from the school of progressive Urdu writing, he did not commercialise himself.  To break into the film industry, a struggle had to be made initially but he never went knocking on doors.  Things were difficult after the partition, but then improved gradually.

His first book of poetry, “Tulkian” (Biterness), was published in 1944 when he was still in college.  His other published works include “Gata Jae Banjara” (“The Gypsy’s Song”) “Aao Ke Koi Khwab Bunein” (“Let’s Weave A Dream”) and “Parchhaliyan” (“Shadows”).

In 1945, Sahir came from Lahore to Bombay with his friend to write songs for the film “Azadi Ki Rah Par”.  He worked with all top notch music composers, since then.  There was a close association between him and the Late S. D. Burman.  The two gave one of their finest contributions together in Guru Dutt’s “Pyaasa”.  He also teamed with N. Dutta in films like “Dhool Ka Phool” and “Sadhana.”

 

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