World press. Com
Credit to them
I am away from my desk so sorry again that i missed death annivarsary date in late Feb.
Today’s post focuses on the career of a popular lyricist, Indeevar, on the occasion of his death anniversary on feb 27
indeevar
Born as Shyamlal Rai in 1924, he was inclined to poetry. He also had his share as a freedom fighter, and was imprisoned in the early 1940s. The reason was his poem on Indian independence. It was just the beginning of the spark of poetry. He soon migrated to Bombay (now Mumbai) in search of work. He began as a lyricist in 1946, and took the pseudonym, Indeevar. But the films couldn’t establish him. I’m sharing one of his earlier songs that may not have become popular that time. But it’s a good song. Let’s hear it.
Tere Nainon Mein Nindiya – Didi (1948) Lata Mangeshkar / Music – Mukund Masurekar
The song has already featured on the blog in the series covering Lata’s association with lesser known composers. The song has good lyrics and the tune is typically representative of the vintage era.
It was after a struggle of a few years that he saw a ray of hope. The songs of the movie, Malhar, composed by Roshan, released in 1951. Though the movie had two lyricists, a couple of duets penned by Indeevar and sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Mukesh became roaringly popular. Let’s hear one of the duets.
Bade Armanon Se Rakha Hai – Malhar (1951) Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh / Music – Roshan
I had the song on one of the old cassettes my father had. And I used to like it as a school boy. The song very aptly portrays the feelings of a couple, recently fallen in love. Such a cute and dreamy, romantic song. The film however saw utter failure at the box office and the pair Shammi and Arjun never became popular. Shammi accepted supporting roles and did play a long innings in Hindi films, but the hero Arjun was never seen again in a lead role.
Roshan Tumhi Se Duniya – Parasmani (1963) Rafi / Music – Laxmikant Pyarelal
Chand Ko Kya Maloom – Lal Bangla (1964) Mukesh / Music – Usha Khanna
Here’s a gem from a B grade movie, but well written and composed. A usual Chand and Chakor theme, put in an interesting way. He watches her from a distance, patiently waiting for her.
चाॅंद को क्या मालूम, चाहता हैं उसे कोई चकोर
तो बेचारा दूर से देखे, करे ना कोई शोर
Oh Re Taal Mile Nadi Ke – Anokhi Raat (1968) Mukesh & Chorus / Music – Roshan
After the initial few films with Roshan in the early 1950s, Indeevar worked with him for his last film, Anokhi Raat. And he was the only lyricist for the movie. He wrote some really wonderful songs for the movie. It was a difficult decision for me to select a song. While I absolutely love ‘Mile Na Phool To’ and ‘Mahalon Ka Raja Mila’, for the post I chose, the meaningful, philosophical song.
The year 1970 was very successful for him. He always used to look for inspiration in the poems he read and writings by poets and shairs of various nationalities. He not only read Urdu poetry, but also studied Persian, French and various other languages. Though he used to study these for inspiration, he avoided copying the verses.
He once said, composers have assistants and arrangers to compose music pieces, but a lyricist has to come up with his own ideas. He has no one to assist. And that’s quite true!
He continued his journey in the 70s and 80s. Though his lyrics were not of the same quality, still a few songs did shine.
Roop Tera Aisa Darpan Mein Na Samaye – Ek Baar Muskura Do (1972) Kishore Kumar / Music – O P Nayyar
I have been listening to the song since childhood as the song was a part of one of our old cassettes. A friend congratulating the other, on the occasion of the latter’s wedding. I was a little surprised to watch the video, it looked weird.
Dil Aisa Kisine Mera Toda – Amanush (1973) Kishore Kumar / Music – Shyamal Mitra
An award winning song that fetched the singer and the lyricist Filmfare awards in their respective categories. It’s the only Filmfare award won by Indeevar. The film was a superhit with stellar performances by the lead pair. The song in a way summarizes the entire story of the character Uttam Kumar plays. Indeevar proposes very apt words, avoiding any loud or outrageous phrases. No doubt one of his bests.
Behna Ne Bhai Ki Kalai Se – Resham Ki Dor (1975) Suman Kalyanpur / Music – Shankar Jaikishan
Another wonderful song that became hugely popular. The lyrics are touchy though not extraordinary. It’s among the best known songs of Suman Kalyanpur.
Madhuban Khushbu Deta Hai – Sajan Bina Suhagan (1978) Yesudas & Anuradha Paudwal / Music – Usha Khanna
In the late 1970s, when disco beats were slowly taking over, a few melodious songs were also composed. Though I’m not a huge fan of the song, I guess it’s very popular. The piano pieces are good and of course the lyrics are inspirational and philosophical.
In the 80s and 90s, however, some of his songs were criticized for vulgarity. It was a surprise for his old fans to find him writing such songs. Indeevar said he had to change his style with the changing times and scenarios to be in the industry. His association with Bappi Lahiri was a popular one, though the majority of the songs were not great lyrically. I won’t be adding those songs here. Instead let me add a few beautiful and meaningful songs from the era.
Hothon Se Chhoo Lo Tum – Prem Geet (1981) Singer & Composer – Jagjit Singh
The song is one of Jagjit Singh’s most popular songs. He sang and composed it. The song has such sublime lyrics.
जग ने छीना मुझसे, मुझे जो भी लगा प्यारा
सब जीता किये मुझसे, मैं हरदम ही हारा
तुम हार के दिल अपना, मेरी जीत अमर कर दो
While the 80s were not great for Indeevar, this one is very good. Though his other songs were popular too, those were not his bests.
Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaye – Jurm (1990) Sadhana Sargam & Kumar Sanu / Music – Rajesh Roshan
The song needs no introduction. It’s one of the most popular songs of Rajesh Roshan. After penning songs for Roshan, Indeevar also wrote songs for Rajesh Roshan. The song highlights the importance of commitment and devotion in love. The lyrics are cute and meaningful. The singers have also done a great job.
And, in the 90s as well, Indeevar was active, writing songs for Hindi films. Let me add a couple of his most popular songs.
Tum Mile Dil Khile – Criminal (1995) Alka Yagnik & Kumar Sanu (with opening aalaps by Chitra) / Music – M M Kreem
Indeevar must have written lyrics on a preset tune. The lyrics are romantic and are apt to the situation. The song is extremely popular and is one of the melodious songs of the 90s.
O Humsafar Dil Ke Nagar – Fareb (1996) Alka Yagnik & Udit Narayan / Music – Jatin Lalit
It’s one of my favourites from the movie. The film had some absolutely melodious songs and were very popular. If I’m not wrong, Indeevar wrote a couple of songs or three for the movie.
He was working till 1996, and he left for heavenly abode on 27th February 1997. He left the legacy of wonderful songs spread across the career of five decades.
I know, all of you are missing something! Yes, I’ve left one of the most important parts of his career. His most successful association was with the composer duo, Kalyanji Anandji. But of course, it needs to be covered in a separate post to offer it full justice. So see you all soon with the second part of the series.
/mujhko_kehte_hai_romeo./sheeshe_ki_umar_pyar_ki_aakhir_mish
Zindgi ka safar hai ye kaisa safar
Jo tumko wo padand yehibaat
Na kajre ki dhaar na moti..
/pyar_manga_hai_tumhee_se.
Jis dil mein basa tha pyar mera
Jab koi baat bigad jaye jab koi m👌
/ye_bandhan_to_pyar_ka_bandhan_hai
Ek tuna mila, sari dyniya..../madhuban_khushbu_deta_hai
Raah mein unse mulakat ho gayi
And 4000 more or so he penned hindi songs up to nearly 5 decades.
Film : safar.
Tittle zindgi ka safar hai ye kaisa safar koi....
Singer : kishore
Lyrics: indeever
music kalyanji anandji
Credit to youtube
https://youtu.be/jA5aiO-oCkw?si=Y0sBIa1fp3a_mUWM
Film : Bandhe Haath
Dekho mere bandhe haath
Singerc: Kishore ingerx
Lyrics: Indeever
Music : Rahul dev burmen
Credit to youtube
https://youtu.be/n683iFrOUtE?si=72nlkV3wofxQPxFb
Film : jurm
Jab koi baat bigad jaye jab koi
Singer : Kumar sanu & sadhna sargam
Lyrics:indeever
Music::rajesh roshan
Credit to youtube
272