Sahir Ludhianvi is regarded as one of the most successful lyricists of Hindi film industry. An eminent Urdu poet of his time, he established his own distinct identity in Bombay in the 5th, 6th and 7th decade of the past century as one of the best Hindi-Urdu lyricist.

Sahir’s songs were considered as a sort surety of success of the film. The creator of super hit songs Sahir Ludhianvi, whose nom de plume meant the “magician”, was born on 8th March 1921, in Ludhiana in a well to do Muslim Gujjar family. His original name was Abdul Hai. Due to differences and clash of ego Sahir’s parents often fought with each other and consequently their quarrel culminated into divorce. Such parental background brought hardships, bitterness and perplexity in Sahir’s early life. He studied in Khalsa High School and later on in Satish Chandra Dhawan Government College in Ludhiana. He became quite popular for his verses i.e. ghazals and nazams, right from his college days.

Along with the strong liking group there was also an envious circle in the college which created problems for Sahir. In 1943, Sahir shifted to Lahore where he completed his first collection of poetry. It was published in 1945. In Lahore he accomplished his duties of editorship of high-class Urdu literary journals namely Adabe-Lateef, Shahkar and Savera. His command on language and depth in verses developed during this phase of his life. Sahir, then, became a member of the Progressive Writers Forum. It was at this juncture that the government of Pakistan issued a warrant of his arrest on the basis of his provocative writings under the influence of communism in the Urdu journal Savera.

Sahir escaped from there in 1949 and landed in Delhi. After spending a few months here he went to Bombay wherein he settled permanently. In his friend circle he often used to say “Bombay was in search of me.”

Sahir resided in the Andheri area of Mumbai near the houses of eminent poet Gulzar and fiction writer Krishna Chandra. In 1970 Sahir constructed a magnificent bungalow wherein he lived till his death. He started writing songs for films in 1949 with the film Azadi Ki Rah Par. He wrote four songs for the film. Its first song was Badal Rahi Hai Zindagi. But neither the film nor songs could catch the public attention. Sahir’s identity was actually established as a professional lyricist with the film Naujawan. S.D Burman composed the songs for it. The song Thandi Hawa-yen, Lehra ke Aayen touches the hearts of even the new generations. Sahir composed the songs for such great musicians as Ravi, S.D Burman, Raushan and Khayyam. He was honoured with the Filmfare Best Lyricist award in 1964 for the song, Jo Wada Kia for the film, Taj Mahal.

In 1977 also he was again bestowed upon the Filmfare Best Lyricist award for the songs of the film, Kabhi Kabhi. Sahir presented the tales of aesthetics and agonies of life in such a way that the audience felt enchanted. He was associated with the film industry for about three decades, wrote hundreds of Hindi-Urdu film songs. Most of his songs got eternal fame. People belonging to the new generations also often utter Sahir’s couplets. It is rightly regarded as Sahir’s achievement that through his lyrics he gave the filmy songs the heights of the conventional Urdu poetry.

As a poet he was associated with the Progressive Writers’ Association. Therefore, his natural tilt was towards communism. The essence of his poetry came up from tragedy, romanticism and socialism. He brought forth the perspectives of humanism, secularism and gender equality.

Parchaiyan, Taj Mahal, Gurez, Kabhi Kabhi, Kisi Ko Udas Dekh Kar, Chakle etc. are some of his most popular poems.
Talkhiyan (1943), Parchaiyan (1953), Tanhaiyan, Aao Koi Khuwab Bunen, Gata Jaye Banjara are very prominent collections of his poetic work.

Some significant research work has already taken place on various aspects of his life. Enough number of books have also been brought out on him in the sub-continent. In 2010, renowned playwright Danish Iqbal wrote a stage play entitled Sahir. Permila Hunt had directed it. The play was a big commercial success in Delhi. While portraying the impasse of Sahir’s life his songs were utilised in it to describe the sequence of events
.
Kal aur ayenge naghmon ki khi lti kaliyan chunne wale
Mujh se behtar kehne wale tum se behtar sunne wale
Kal koi mujh ko yaad kare, kion koi mujh ko yad kare
Masroof zamana mere liye kion waqt apna barbad kare

Aata Hai To Aa (Naya Daur — 1957), Ye Dunia Agar Mil Bhi Jaye to Kia Hai? (Piyasa — 1957), Tu Hindu Banega na Musalman Banega (Dhool ka Phool — 1959), Ye Ishq Ishq Hai (Barsat ki Raat — 1960), Na to Karwan ki Talash Hai (Barsat ki Raat — 1960), Allah Tero Naam Ishwar Tero Naam (Hum Dono — 1961), Chalo Ek Baar Phir Se Ajnabi Ban Jayen Ham Dono (Gumrah —1961), Manre Tu Kahe na Dheer Dhare (Chandra Kala — 1964), Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shair Hoon (Kabhi-Kabhi — 1976), Ae Meri Zohra Jabeen (Waqt), Aage Bhi Jane Na Too (Waqt), Sathi Hath Badhana (Naya Daur), Main Zindagi Ka Sath Nibhata Chala Gaya (Hum Dono), Na Too Zameen Ke Liye Hai, Na Asman Ke Liye, Mere Dil Mein Aaj Kia Hai Too Kahe To Bataa Doon are few songs besides many other songs by Sahir that are forever remembered not only in the Indo-Pak subcontinent but the Urdu-Hindi knowing people all over the world do recite them. Sahir represents the composite culture and emotional integrations of our country in his verses.
The author is a senior producer with Doordarshan News

Source: http://www.asianage.com/ideas/sahir-ludhianvi-magician-lyricist-090