Sahir Ludhianvi
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Sahir Ludhianvi | |
|---|---|
 2013 stamp featuring Sahir Ludhianvi by India Post | |
| Born | Abdul Hayee 8 March 1921 |
| Died | 25 October 1980 (aged 59) Bombay, Maharashtra, India |
Resting place | Juhu Muslim Cemetery |
| Education | S.C.D. Government College, Ludhiana |
| Occupations |
|
| Partner(s) | Sudha Malhotra Amrita Pritam |
| Writing career | |
| Period | 20th century |
| Genre | Poetry |
| Subject | Movie Lyrics |
| Notable awards | Padma Shri (1971) Filmfare Awards (1964 and 1977) Soviet Land Nehru Award (1973) |
Movement | Progressive Writers' Association |
| Part of a series on |
| Progressive Writers' Movement |
|---|
Abdul Hayee (8 March 1921 – 25 October 1980), popularly known by his pen name (takhallus) Sahir Ludhianvi, was an Indian poet who wrote primarily in Urdu in addition to Hindi.[1] He is regarded as one of the greatest film lyricists and poets of 20th century India.[2]
His work influenced Indian cinema, in particular Hindi language films.[3] Sahir won a Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist for Taj Mahal (1963). He won a second Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist for his work in Kabhie Kabhie (1976). He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1971.[4][5]
On 8 March 2013, the ninety-second anniversary of Sahir's birth, a commemorative stamp was issued in his honour by India Post.[4][6]
Early life and education
[edit]Sahir was born on 8 March 1921, in a Punjabi -speaking Gujjar family in Karimpura, Ludhiana, Punjab, British India.[7][8][9][10] This is the reason why he added the suffix Ludhianvi after his name. His mother, Sardar Begum, left her husband, thus forfeiting any claim to financial assets from the marriage. In 1934, Sahir's father remarried and sued (acrimoniously and unsuccessfully) for custody of his son. In a recent biography titled Sahir: A Literary Portrait (Oxford University Press) written by US-based author Surinder Deol, the author agrees with the brief conclusion of Pakistani poet Ahmad Rahi, a friend of Sahir over the years, about Sahir's life story in a nutshell, "In his entire life, Sahir loved once, and he nurtured one hate. He loved his mother, and he hated his father."[5][11] Sardar Begum required protection from Sahir's father and suffered financial deprivation.[12] Sahir's place of birth in Ludhiana is marked with a small plaque on the building's arched entrance.
Sahir was educated at the Khalsa High School in Ludhiana. He then enrolled at the Government College, Ludhiana.[10] The auditorium there is named after him.[13] As a college student, Sahir was popular for his ghazals and nazms (poetry in Urdu) and impassioned speeches.[14]
Career
[edit]In 1943, Sahir settled in Lahore. There, he completed Talkhiyaan (Bitterness) (1945), his first published work in Urdu. He was member of All India Students Federation. Sahir edited Urdu magazines such as Adab-e-Lateef, Shahkaar, Prithlari, and Savera[14][15] and became a member of the Progressive Writers' Association. However, when he made controversial statements promoting Communism, a warrant for his arrest was issued by the Government of Pakistan. In 1949, after partition, Sahir fled from Lahore to Delhi. After eight weeks, Sahir moved to Bombay.[14] He later lived in Andheri, a suburb of Mumbai. There, his neighbours included Gulzar, a poet and lyricist and Krishan Chander, an Urdu litterateur.
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Sahir was a member of IPTA and also the Progressive Writer's Association.[16]
Sahir's work as a lyricist in the film industry gave him financial stability beyond his earnings as a poet. He made his debut with four songs in the film Azadi Ki Raah Par (1949). One of the songs was Badal Rahi Hai Zindagi. The film and its songs went unnoticed. However, after Naujawan (1951), with music by S.D. Burman, Sahir gained recognition. Sahir's major success was Baazi (1951) with composer Burman. Sahir was then considered part of Guru Dutt's team. The last film Sahir made with Burman was Pyaasa (1957).[17] After this film, Sahir and Burman went their separate ways due to artistic and contractual differences.[18]
Sahir worked with other composers including Ravi, Roshan, Khayyam and Datta Naik. Datta Naik also credited as N. Datta, a Goan, admired Sahir's poetry and their collaboration produced the score for Milap (1955), Chandrakanta (1956), Sadhna (1958), Dhool Ka Phool (1959), Dharamputra (1961) and Naya Raasta (1970).[19] Sahir also worked with music director Laxmikant–Pyarelal in the films like Izzat (1968), Man Ki Aankhen (1970), Dastaan (1972) and Daag (1973). From about 1950 until his death, Sahir collaborated with Baldev Raj Chopra, a film producer and director. Sahir's last work for Chopra was for Insaaf Ka Tarazu (1980). Yash Chopra, both while directing for B R Films, and later as an independent director and producer, also engaged Sahir as the lyricist for his films, till Sahir's death.[20]
In 1958, Sahir wrote the lyrics for Ramesh Saigal's film Phir Subah Hogi, based on Fyodor Dostoevsky's novel Crime and Punishment. The male lead was played by Raj Kapoor. Shankar–Jaikishan would be composing music for the film but Sahir demanded a composer with a more intimate knowledge of the novel. Consequently, Khayyam composed the film score. The song Woh Subah Kabhi Toh Aayegi with its minimal background music remains popular. Khayyam collaborated with Sahir in many films including Kabhie Kabhie (1976) and Trishul (1978).[21][22]
Sahir was a controversial figure in that he was artistically temperamental. He insisted that the film score should be composed for his lyrics and not the other way around. He also insisted on being paid one rupee more than Lata Mangeshkar and this created a rift between them.[15] Sahir promoted his girlfriend, Sudha Malhotra's singing career.[15] He also insisted that All India Radio credit film song lyricists in its broadcasts.
Personal life
[edit]Sahir was romantically involved with Amrita Pritam and later Sudha Malhotra.[23] Sahir and Pritam's love story was to be the subject of a 2014 movie that was legally objected to by the latter's grandson.[24]
Death
[edit]On 25 October 1980, at the young age of fifty-nine, Sahir died of a sudden cardiac arrest.[25][15][4] He was buried at the Juhu Muslim cemetery. In 2010, his tomb was demolished to make room for new interments.[26]
Filmography
[edit] |
Books
[edit]- Mahmood K. T. (2000) Kalām-i Sāḥir Ludhiyānvī. A collection of Ludhiavni's poetry with English translation.[29]
- Abbas K. A. (1958) Shadows Speak: (Parchhaiyan). 29 pages.[30]
- Hassan R. (1977) The Bitter Harvest: Selections from Sahir Ludhiavni's Verse. 169 pages.[29]
- Sucha S. (1989) Sorcery (Sahri): poetry.[31]
- Gaata jaye Banjara (1992). A collection of film lyrics.
- Bitterness: Talkhiyan
In media
[edit]The Hindi film, Pyaasa (1957), is said to be inspired by Sahir's unrequited affection for the Hindi novelist and poet, Amrita Pritam and features several famous songs with lyrics written by him.[32] Sahir's life has been chronicled by Sabir Dutt[33] and by Chander Verma and Dr. Salman Abid in "Main Sahir Hoon".[12]
Sahir Ludhianvi: the People's Poet, a book by Akshay Manwani, is the product of interviews and writings about Sahir by his friends such as Yash Chopra, Dev Anand, Javed Akhtar, Khayyam, Sudha Malhotra, Ravi Chopra and Ravi Sharma.[34] The book also analyses Sahir's poetry and lyrics in the context of his personal life.[35]
Awards and nominations"
[edit]| Year | Film | Song | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist[4] | |||
| 1959 | Sadhna | "Aurat Ne Janam Diya" | Nominated[36] |
| 1960 | Dhool Ka Phool | "Tu Hindu Banega" | Nominated |
| 1964 | Tajmahal | "Jo Waada Kiya" | Won[4] |
| Gumrah | "Chalo Ek Bar Phir Se" | Nominated | |
| 1968 | Hamraaz | "Neele Gagan Ke Tale" | Nominated |
| 1969 | Aankhen | "Milti Hai Zindagi Mein" | Nominated |
| 1977 | Kabhi Kabhie | "Kabhi Kabhie Mere Dil Mein" | Won[4] |
| "Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar" | Nominated | ||
| 1980 | Dada | "Dil Ke Tukde Tukde Kar Ke" | Nominated |
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ↑ Ashish Rajadhyaksha; Paul Willemen (1994). Encyclopaedia of Indian cinema. Routledge. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
Transferred the progressive Urdu literature exemplified by poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz to the Hindi film lyric...
- ↑ "Sahir Ludhianvi – Profile & Biography". Rekhta. Archived from the original on 5 February 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
- ↑ Coppola C. "Politics, Social Criticism and Indian Film Songs: The Case of Sahir Ludhianvi." Journal of Popular Culture 1977 10(4) p896-902. "Perhaps the best known and certainly the most legendary songwriter in Indian films today is Sahir Ludhianvi." Accessed 8 July 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Sahir Ludhianvi's Padma Shri (1971) and Filmfare Awards (1964 and 1977) (see page 11). Indian Philately Digest via GoogleBooks website. 10 May 2023. Archived from the original on 10 May 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
- 1 2 Nawaid Anjum (25 October 2019). "Sahir's poetry is a beacon of hope". The Indian Express (newspaper). Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
- ↑ "President releases a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Sahir Ludhianvi." Archived 29 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine Public Information Bureau, Government of India, Published 8 March 2013, Accessed 14 November 2019
- ↑ Siddiqui, Naaz (1978). ساحر لدھیانوی - شخص اور شاعر [Sahir Ludhianvi - Person and poet] (in Urdu). Delhi: Punjabi Pushtak Bhandar, Kalan, Delhi. p. 13.
ساخته ۸ مارچ ۱۹۲۱ کو لدھیانہ (پنجاب) کے ایک جاگیردار گھرانے میں پیدا ہوئے ۔ پہلی اولاد نرینہ ہونے کی وجہ سے ان کی پیدائش پر بڑا جشن منایا گیا۔ والدین نے قرآن شریف دیکھ کر عبد الحنی نام رکھا - ساخر کے اجداد قوم کے گجر تھے-
- ↑ Raza, Muhammad Musa (2003). جامع اردو انسائیکلوپیڈیا [Complete Urdu Encyclopedia] (in Urdu) (1 ed.). Delhi: National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language, New Delhi. p. 302.
ساحر لدھیانوی (1980-1921): اصلی نام عبدالکی تھا۔ کالج کے طالب علم تھے، تو شعر بھی کہنے لگے، اور لاہور کی ادبی فضا نے ان کے ذوق کو جلا بخشی۔ ساحر کے والد ایک گجر گھرانے سے تھے۔
- ↑ Zarren, Dr. Zareen (16 January 2022). "ساحرؔ کی حیات اور ان کی نظم نگاری کا اجمالی جائزہ" [Complete overview of Life and poetry of Sahir Ludhianvi.]. Urdu Research Journal – via Urdu Links.
ساحرؔ کے آبا و اجداد گوجر قوم سے تعلق رکھتے تھے۔ ان کے دادا فتح محمد لدھیانہ کے نامور امیر ترین جاگیردار تھے۔ ساحرؔ کی والدہ سردار بیگم کشمیری تھیں۔ ان کے دو بڑے بھائی محمد شفیع اور عبد الرشید اور بڑی بہن شاہ بیگم تھیں۔
- 1 2 M. l. Dhawan (24 October 2004). "Sahir: The poet lives on". The Tribune India newspaper. Archived from the original on 12 September 2007. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
- ↑ Pandit P. Sahir Ludhianvi: Life Sketch and Poetry Rajpal and sons, 1995, p12.
- 1 2 Verma C. and Abid S. "Main Sahir Hoon" Archived 1 September 2023 at the Wayback Machine Star Publications. 2014. ISBN 817650629X (in Hindi).
- ↑ "Sahir Ludhianvi in Unki Nazar Unka Shahar." Archived 13 January 2016 at the Wayback Machine Rajya Sabha TV, 27 January 2012 at YouTube.
- 1 2 3 "Biography – Sahir Ludhyanvi." Archived 2 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine Urdu Poetry.com website, Accessed 14 November 2019
- 1 2 3 4 "Sahir Ludhianvi – Profile". Cineplot.com website. 22 July 2010. Archived from the original on 14 November 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
- ↑ Chatterjee, Patha (5 February 2014). "Inhabiting two worlds". Frontline. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
- ↑ "SAHIR LUDHIANVI: "The Magician" whose songs live on reverberating with love and life". TheLeaflet. 5 January 2021. Archived from the original on 5 January 2021. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
- ↑ Saran S. "Ten Years with Guru Dutt – Abrar Alvi’s Journey." p111-112.
- ↑ "Milap (1955)". Hindigeetmala.net. Archived from the original on 25 June 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2017.
- ↑ "Sahir's poetry in Kabhi Kabhie and our forever connection with them". ThePrint. 10 March 2019.
- ↑ "100 Greatest Bollywood Soundtracks Ever – Part 4". Planet Bollywood. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
- ↑ Quint (20 August 2019). "Poetry and Melody: A Musical Journey Through Khayyam's Life". Retrieved 21 August 2019.
- ↑ "Amrita Pritam And Sahir Ludhianvi Love Story: The Poets Who Gave Us 'Main Tainu Phir Milangi' And 'Chalo Ek Baar Phir Se' But Couldn't Write A Happy Ending For Themselves". Times Now. 22 July 2025. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
- ↑ "Sahir-Amrita love story in legal tangle - Pune Times Mirror". 5 August 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
- ↑ "Profile of Sahir Ludhianvi".
- ↑ "Rafi, Madhubala don't rest in peace here". The Times of India. 11 February 2010. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
- ↑ "Filmfare recommends: Best Bollywood noir films of the '50s". filmfare.com. Archived from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- ↑ "10 Terrific Songs of Sahir Ludhianvi". Times of India. 2 March 2014.
- 1 2 Mahmood K. Kalām-i Sāḥir Ludhiyānvī. Archived 10 May 2023 at the Wayback Machine Star Publications, 2000. ISBN 9788176500302
- ↑ Abbas K. "Shadows Speak: (Parchhalyan)." Archived 2023-05-10 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ Sucha S. "Sorcery (Sahri): poetry. " Vudya Kitaban Forlag, Sollentuna, Sweden. ISBN 91-86620-05-3. Accessed at World cat.org 19 November 2015.
- ↑ Dutt, Nirupama (24 October 2020). "Roundabout: Pyaasa revisited on Sahir Ludhianvi's death anniversary in his centenary year". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 7 January 2022. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
- ↑ Dutt S. "Fan-o-shaksiyat (Sahir No.)"
- ↑ Sahir Ludhianvi: the People's Poet Harper Collins 2013.
- ↑ "Sahir Ludhianvi – The People's Poet". HarperCollinsPublishers.
- ↑ "The Nominations – 1958, Filmfare Awards". Indiatimes.com website. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
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External links
[edit]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Academics | |
| Artists | |
| Other | |
- 1921 births
- 1980 deaths
- Muslim Gujjars
- Indian lyricists
- Urdu-language Indian poets
- Urdu-language Pakistani poets
- Writers from Ludhiana
- 20th-century Indian Muslims
- Pakistani emigrants to India
- Filmfare Awards winners
- People from Ludhiana
- 20th-century Indian poets
- 20th-century Indian male poets
- Poets from Punjab, India
- 20th-century pseudonymous writers
- Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts
- People from Punjab Province (British India)