Shailendra – Celebrating the immortal songwriters centenary
Shailendra, considered by many to be the finest songwriter in Hindi cinema ironically was averse to writing lyrics for a film song. The maestro considered himself a pure poet who penned all that came to his mind without tailoring it to suit any musical tune. It was in a way beneath him to write to pre-composed music. But the fact of the matter is that his pen gave us romantic, philosophical, devotional, sad, happy, and other deeply poignant lyrics that have stood the test of time most of which have been written to set tunes.
Hitting bullseye with his very first song “Barsat Mein Humse Mile Tum Sajan”, a lyric he wrote purely out of financial despair for Raj Kapoor’s Barsaat, the Rawalpindi-born Shailendra never looked back.
Though his work with his favorite composer duo Shankar-Jaikishan has placed him among the foremost songwriters of Hindi cinema his twinning with other composers like SD Burman (Guide, Kala Bazar, Bandini), Salil Chaudhary (Madhumati, Parakh, Usne Kaha Tha) have resulted in a veritable treasure trove of melodies that music lovers can dig into even today.
30th August 2023 marked the 100th birth anniversary of this great poet and we remember him with all the reverence his works merit. Among his wonderful creations seeped in relatable philosophy and undeniable honesty where he offers the barest truth are classics like Sajan Re Jhooth Mat Bolo, Sab Kuchh Sikha Humne, Kisiki Muskurahaton per Ho Nisaar, Wahan Kaun Hai Tera Musafir – each an emotional souvenir for all times. The best part is that none of the words he uses would make you rush to a reference dictionary. He crafted all his sublime sorcery with a verse using the most basic vocabulary that was easy on the ears.
There is that famous incident of how he wrote the evergreen favorite “Jao Re Jogi Tum Jao Re” (Amrapali). Shailendra struggled for hours to wrap his thoughts around the tune and the philosophy, then almost gave up even wanting the recording to be postponed to another day, much to the consternation of the makers. But then what was Shailendra if not a magician with words? Just as he entered the studio to an eagerly awaiting music team, the compelling verse came to him, as if from thin air and he quickly narrated it without putting it to paper for Lata Mangeshkar to take it to the next level. “Jao Re Jogi”, is an iconic melody that is remembered by nostalgic music fans every time they hear it.
Shailendra’s understanding of the theme of the films he wrote can arguably be considered the most refined among all lyric writers of our times. This is all the more evident when we see his ability to craft meaningful lyrics with the name of the film being included in the song lyrics. The trend caught on later and was utilized by many of his contemporaries and later lyricists. They were then labeled as “Title Songs”. Shailendra’s peerless work in the realm of title songs includes gems like “Barsaat Mein Humse Mile from Barsaat, “Awara Hoon” from Awaara ”, Hum Us Desh Ke Wasi Hain Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behati Han” from Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behati Hain, “ Sab Kuch Seekha Humne” from Anari and a host of others.
His desire to turn producer for the brilliant “Teesri Kasam” saw him philosophize with “Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo”, Duniya Bananewale Kya Tere Man Mein Samayee” and go folksy with “Pan Khaye Saiyyan Hamar”.
The many shades of his incredible verse can perhaps never be confined to a regular box of a few words, such was his way with words.
Aa Ab Laut Chale, Prem Ke Pujari Hum Hain Ras Ke Bhikhari, Ja Re Ud Ja Re Panchi, O Sajana Barkha Bahar Aayee, Chalat Musafir Moh Liya Re; the song list and the moods Shailendra stirs up can go on.
Shailendra, before he went the way of all mortals at just 44, had brought to the fore the beauty of the Hindi language wrapped in perennially evocative thoughts that have become the benchmarks of excellence not only in film writing but also in Hindi literary poetry. Shailendra continues to be a throbbing presence in the heart of every music lover. A position Shailendra merits for the sheer beauty, the expanse of his work, and the joy he kindled for the coming millennia.
– By VIBHAV RAO
