Sahir Ludhianvi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sahir Ludhianvi
2013 stamp featuring Sahir Ludhianvi by India Post
Born	Chaudhary Abdul Hayee Gujjar (1921-03-08)8 March 1921 Ludhiana, Punjab, British India
Died	25 October 1980(1980-10-25) (aged 59) Mumbai, India
Occupation	Poet, lyricist and writer
Education	S.C.D Government College, Ludhiana
Period	20th century
Genre	Poetry
Subject	Movie Lyrics
Literary movement	Progressive Writers' Association
Notable awards	Padma Shri Award in 1971 Filmfare Awards in 1964 and in 1977
Partner	Sudha Malhotra Amrita Pritam

Chaudhary Abdul Hayee Gujjar (born March 8, 1921 – died October 25, 1980) was a famous Indian poet. He was known by his pen name, Sahir Ludhianvi. He mainly wrote in Urdu and also in Hindi. Many people think he was one of the greatest film lyricists and poets of the 1900s in India.

His amazing work had a big impact on Indian movies, especially Hindi films. Sahir won a Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist for his songs in the movie Taj Mahal (1963). He won this award again for his work in Kabhie Kabhie (1976). In 1971, he received the Padma Shri award, which is a high honor in India.

On March 8, 2013, which was Sahir's 92nd birthday, India released a special commemorative stamp to honor him.

Life Story

Early Years and School

Sahir was born on March 8, 1921, in a red sandstone house in Ludhiana, Punjab, British India. His family was Punjabi Muslim. He added "Ludhianvi" to his name because he was from Ludhiana.

His mother, Sardar Begum, left his father. This meant she gave up any money from their marriage. Sahir's father tried to get custody of Sahir in 1934, but he didn't succeed. Sahir loved his mother very much and disliked his father. His mother often needed protection and faced money problems. There is a small sign on his birth home today.

Sahir went to Khalsa High School in Ludhiana. Later, he studied at the Government College, Ludhiana. The college auditorium is now named after him. When he was a student, Sahir was well-known for his ghazals and nazms (types of Urdu poetry). He also gave powerful speeches.

Moving After Partition

In 1943, Sahir moved to Lahore. There, he finished his first published Urdu book, Talkhiyaan (Bitterness) (1945). He was part of the All India Students Federation. Sahir also worked as an editor for Urdu magazines like Adab-e-Lateef and Savera. He joined the Progressive Writers' Association.

However, he shared ideas that were not popular with the government. Because of this, the Government of Pakistan wanted to arrest him. In 1949, after India and Pakistan separated (Partition), Sahir left Lahore and went to Delhi. After about two months, he moved to Bombay (now Mumbai). He lived in a part of Mumbai called Andheri. His neighbors there included famous writers like Gulzar and Krishan Chander. In the 1970s, Sahir built his own house. He named it Parchaiyaan (Shadows), after one of his works. He lived there until he passed away.

His Passing

On October 25, 1980, Sahir died suddenly from a sudden cardiac death at age 59. He was buried in the Juhu Muslim cemetery. In 2010, his tomb was removed to make space for new burials.

His Work

Sahir became financially stable by writing songs for movies. He wrote four songs for his first film, Azadi Ki Raah Par (1949). One of these songs was Badal Rahi Hai Zindagi. This film and its songs were not very popular.

However, after the movie Naujawan (1951), with music by S.D. Burman, Sahir became well-known. His big success came with Baazi (1951), also with music by Burman. Sahir then became a key part of Guru Dutt's team (a famous filmmaker). The last film Sahir made with Burman was Pyaasa (1957). In Pyaasa, Guru Dutt played a poet named Vijay. After Pyaasa, Sahir and Burman stopped working together due to creative differences.

Sahir also worked with other great music composers. These included Ravi, Roshan, Khayyam, and Datta Naik. Datta Naik really liked Sahir's poetry. They worked together on films like Milaap (1955), Saadhna (1958), and Dhool Ka Phool (1959). Sahir also teamed up with Laxmikant–Pyarelal for movies like "Man Ki Aankhe" and "Daag". From around 1950 until his death, Sahir worked with Baldev Raj Chopra, a film producer and director. Sahir's last work for Chopra was for Insaaf Ka Tarazu. Yash Chopra, another famous director, also chose Sahir to write lyrics for his films.

In 1958, Sahir wrote songs for the film Phir Subah Hogi. This movie was based on the book Crime and Punishment. Sahir wanted a composer who understood the book well. So, Khayyam composed the music. The song Woh Subah Kabhi Toh Aayegi from this film is still very popular. Khayyam and Sahir worked together on many films, including Kabhie Kabhie.

Sahir was known for being very particular about his work. He believed that music should be made to fit his lyrics, not the other way around. He also insisted on being paid a little more than famous singer Lata Mangeshkar. This caused some disagreements. Sahir also helped his girlfriend, Sudha Malhotra, with her singing career. He strongly believed that All India Radio should always mention the lyricists when playing film songs.

His song "Ye Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaye" from Pyaasa was used again in the 2022 film Chup: Revenge of the Artist.

His Writings

Poetry

Sahir wrote a famous poem that says:

This means: I am a poet for a moment, my story is for a moment. My life is for a moment, my youth is for a moment. Many poets came before me and left. Some sighed and left, some sang songs and left. They were a story for a moment, I am also a story for a moment. Tomorrow I will be separated from you, I am your part today.

Sahir was like a "poet for the common person." He cared deeply about farmers in debt, soldiers fighting wars, women forced into difficult lives, and young people without jobs. Jawaharlal Nehru, who was India's Prime Minister, said Sahir's lyrics in Pyaasa touched him. In the film, the character Vijay sings:

This means: These streets, these auction houses of beauty, these looted caravans of life. Where are they, where are the protectors of self-respect? Where are those who are proud of India?

Sahir's poetry was inspired by the well-known Pakistani poet, Faiz Ahmed Faiz. Like Faiz, Sahir added deep thoughts to Urdu poetry. This made it popular with young people in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. His poems showed the feelings of people during that time. He encouraged people to think beyond their comfort. He wrote about religious leaders, selfish politicians, greedy business owners, and powerful countries that caused wars.

When he was 25, Sahir wrote Kahat-e-Bangal (The Famine of Bengal). In Subah-e-Navroz (Dawn of a New Day), he pointed out how people celebrated while the poor lived in bad conditions. About the Taj Mahal, he wrote:

This means: My beloved, meet me somewhere else. What does it mean for the poor to pass through royal gatherings? On the paths where there are signs of royal power, what does it mean for paths full of love to pass? Sahir Ludhianvi is asking his love to meet him anywhere but the Taj Mahal. He feels that even though the Taj Mahal is a symbol of royal luxury, it's not the right place for simple, loving hearts to meet.

When Sahir was only 19, he recited this poem at his college. It caused a stir in the literary world:

This means: An emperor, using his wealth, has made fun of the love of us poor people.

About his own legacy, Sahir wrote:

This means: Tomorrow, others will come to pick the blooming buds of songs. Those who speak better than me, those who listen better than you. Why should anyone remember me tomorrow? Why should this busy world waste its time on me?

Books by Sahir

• Mahmood K. T. (2000) Kalām-i Sāḥir Ludhiyānvī. This book has a collection of Ludhiavni's poems with English translations.
• Abbas K. A. (1958) Shadows Speak: (Parchhalyan).
• Hassan R. (1977) The Bitter Harvest: Selections from Sahir Ludhiavni's Verse.
• Sucha S. (1989) Sorcery (Sahri): poetry.
• Gaata jaye Banjara (1992). This is a collection of his film lyrics.
• Bitterness: Talkhiyan

Famous Bollywood Songs

Here are some of the popular songs Sahir Ludhianvi wrote lyrics for:

• "Thandi Hawayein Lehrake Aaye" sung by Lata Mangeshkar, from Naujawan (1951).
• "Jayen To Jayen Kahan" sung by Talat Mahmood, from Taxi Driver (1954).
• "Aana Hai To Aa", sung by Mohammed Rafi, from Naya Daur (1957).
• "Saathi Haath Badhana" from Naya Daur (1957), sung by Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhonsle.
• "Jane Kya Tune Kahi" sung by Geeta Dutt, "Jane Woh Kaise" sung by Hemant Kumar and "Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaye Toh Kya Hai" sung by Mohammed Rafi from Pyaasa (1957).
• "Aurat Ne Janam Diya Mardon Ko" sung by Lata Mangeshkar, from Sadhna (1958).
• "Chin-o-Arab Hamara Hindustan Hamara", sung by Mukesh from Phir Subah Hogi (1959).
• "Tu Hindu Banega Na Musalman Banega", sung by Mohammed Rafi from Dhool Ka Phool (1959).
• "Yeh Ishq Ishq Hai", sung by Mohammed Rafi and Manna De from Barsaat Ki Raat (1960).
• "Na To Karvan Ki Talash Hai", sung by Mohammed Rafi, Manna De, Asha Bhonsle and Sudha Malhotra from Barsaat Ki Raat (1960).
• "Allah Tero Naam Ishwar Tero Naam', sung by Lata Mangeshkar from Hum Dono (1961).
• "Main Zindagi Ka Sath Nibhata Chala Gaya", from Hum Dono (1961) sung by Mohammed Rafi.
• "Kabhi Khud Pe Kabhi Haalat Pe Rona Aaya", from Hum Dono (1961) sung by Mohammed Rafi.
• "Abhi Na Jao Chhodkar Ke Dil Abhi Bhara Nahin", from Hum Dono (1961) sung by Mohammed Rafi, Asha Bhosle.
• "Chalo Ek Baar Phir Se Ajnabi Ban Jaye Hum Dono', sung by Mahendra Kapoor from Gumrah (1963).
• "Laaga Chunri Mein Daag" sung by Manna Dey from Dil Hi To Hai (1963 film) (1963).
• "Aye Meri Zoharjabin", from Waqt (1965) sung by Manna Dey.
• "Aagey Bhi Jane Na Tu", from film Waqt (1965) sung by Asha Bhonsle.
• "Tum Agar Saath Dene Ka Wada Karo", sung by Mahendra Kapoor from Hamraaz (1967).
• "Neele Gagan Ke Tale", from Hamraaz (1967) sung by Mahendra Kapoor.
• "Ye Dil Tum Bin Kahin Lagata Nahin", from Izzat (1968) sung by Lata-Rafi.
• "Babul Ki Duaen Leti Ja", sung by Muhammed Rafi from Neelkamal (1968).
• "Man Re Tu Kahe Na Dheer Dhare", sung by Mohammed Rafi and "Sansar Se Bhage Phirte Ho, Bhagwan Ko Tum Kya Paoge" sung by Lata Mangeshkar from Chitralekha (1964).
• "Tora Mann Darpan Kehlaye", sung by Asha Bhosle from Kaajal (1965).
• "Ishwar Allah Tere Naam", sung by Mohammed Rafi from Naya Raasta (1970).
• "Chala Bhi Aa Aja Rasiya", from Man Ki Aankhe (1970) sung by Lata-Rafi.
• "Na Tu Zameen Ke Liye Na Aasaman Ke Liye", from Dastaan (1972) sung by Mohammad Rafi.
• "Mere Dil Mein Aaj Kya Hai", from Daag (1973) sung by Kishore Kumar.
• "Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar Hoon", sung by Mukesh from Kabhi Kabhi (1976).
• "Kabhie Kabhie Mere Dil Mein Khyal Aata Hai", sung by Mukesh, Lata Mangeshkar from film Kabhi Kabhi (1976).

About His Life and Legacy

The 1957 Hindi movie, Pyaasa, is a classic film. It was inspired by Sahir's feelings for the Hindi writer and poet, Amrita Pritam. The movie features many famous songs with lyrics written by Sahir.

Sahir's life story has been told in books by Sabir Dutt, Chander Verma, and Dr. Salman Abid.

In 2010, Danish Iqbal wrote a play called Sahir about the poet's life. It was performed successfully in Delhi and used songs to tell Sahir's story.

Akshay Manwani wrote a book called Sahir Ludhianvi: the People's Poet. This book includes interviews and writings about Sahir from his friends like Yash Chopra, Dev Anand, and Khayyam. The book also looks at how Sahir's personal life influenced his poetry and song lyrics. It also talks about his role in the Progressive Writers’ Movement, which was a group of writers who wanted to bring social change through their work.

Javed Akhtar, a famous lyricist, has said that it's important that Sahir's poetry is still meaningful today. Many people, including Javed Akhtar, see Sahir more as a poet than just a lyricist, even though he was brilliant at both.

There are rumors that a movie based on Sahir's life might be made by Red Chillies, possibly starring Shah Rukh Khan.

A biography about Sahir, called Sahir: Aksharangalude Abhijhaarakan, was also written in Malayalam by Samad K. P. A.

Awards and Nominations

Sahir Ludhianvi received several awards and nominations for his work:

See also

• Hindi film music
• Shakeel Badayuni
• Indian Poets