Posted:
17 years ago
Shakeel Badayuni
Birth: 3rd August 1916
Birthplace: Badayun, Uttar Pradesh, India
Profession: Poet, Bollywood Film song Lyricists
Born at 'Badayun' in Uttar Pradesh on August 3, 1916, Shakeel Ahmed Shakeel Badayuni made his mark on the Hindi film industry in the days to come. His father was a Maulana himself and made it a point that he teaches him Arabic, Farsi, Urdu, Hindi and Hindustani at home itself. Other than one of his ancestors called Khalifa Mohammad Wasil, none of his other relatives were concerned with poetry. Mushaiyaras and sher - o - shairi were and still are one of most popular cultural and artistic symbols with which Lucknow is associated. The cultural landscape always dotted with these literary and poetic exercises gave the background to young Shakeel's growth as a poet.
Poetry in his times was uni-dimensional, a purely literary activity followed both with conceit and rigour by the then poets. Untouched by daily experiences, which distill art, it remained pedantic in its conservatism.
One of the early influences of Shakeel Badayuni was the works of Hazrat Maulana Zia - Ul - Qadri, whom he heard in various mehfils (poetry recitation sessions) and also sought his guidance at regular intervals.
Shakeel Badayuni's urge for writing
By the time he had joined the Aligarh University in 1936 he had gained considerable exposure at the mushaiyaras reciting his own poetry. Poetry in pre - Independent India, like other arts, was striving to gain its own voice and this led to the growth of a progressive poet's movement, which later manifested in various forms such as IPTA. The progressive poets consisted of Majaaz, Jazbi, Jaan Nissar Akhtar, and Masud Akhtar Majaal whereas Raaz Muradabadi, a disciple of Jigar Muradabadi, led the traditionalists. Raaz, Jigar and his clique used to concentrate mainly to composing Ghazals. Shakeel, who later became a student of Jigar was introduced by Raaz who was his intimate.
Raaz and Shakeel were the proteges of Maulana Ahsan Marharwi, their lecturer of Urdu at college. In the inter - varsity mushaiyara competitions, Aligarh University used to win hands down to the envy of others because of these two exemplary poets. Their benign and encouraging professor, Maulana Ahsan used to keep them informed about literary meets and accompanied personally on such tours.
The heady days of youth were spent in honing up one's first flowering of talent and Shakeel's powerful outpourings on social issues in later years were then grappling with more tender emotions of Love.
Shakeel's first job
His first job was with the supplies department at Delhi in 1942, which he joined immediately after passing his graduation. He continued in this profession for four years till 1946. Literary sycophancy was scaling new heights with the followers of Jigar donning the clothes of their teacher and adopting his mannerisms while talking and reciting their verses.
This cultural slavery was unacceptable to Shakeel and forged his own identity with a distinct individuality. Touring extensively to recite his 'kalaam' (writing), his growing appreciation also brought to the fore the qualities needed for a poet and his / poetry to be accepted by the audience. The poets personality, the tone of voice, literary and poetic balance and the right mix of humour and wit, both idiomatic and colloquial were his prescriptions for a successful acceptance by the public and patrons.
The recipe of success as it were hit him when he arrived in Mumbai in 1946. The cinematic requirements of writing according to a given situation, mood, place and even tune while enforcing artistic restrictions gave him insights into the aspect called 'mass communication' and its essentials. Ideas and ideals, both could be maintained if one gave up the notion that literary flights were the true signs of a genius. For Shakeel, simplifying was obviously different from simplistic.
Shakeel's tour with bollywood
With Naushad as composer and Mohammad Rafi giving vocals, Shakeel penned the greatest bhajan of Hindi films 'O Duniya Ke Rakhwale' and other songs of Baiju Bawra. He won two Film Fare awards, but retained a low - profile inspite of his literary and cinematic stature as a poet.
Jigar Muradabadi opined, 'Shakeel is a poet by nature and he was not made and shaped to be a poet. Whatever he speaks is intimately associated with the real facts of life like a mirror image. He is peerless while building magical palace of words.'
According to late Sahir Ludhianvi, another of his legendary compatriots, 'Shakeel should be credited for selecting the genre of ghazals after the greats like Jigar and Firaaq in which he showed his charismatic abilities making beautiful ghazals. His ghazals adhere to the traditional spirit while highlighting contemporary values. His ghazals have reflected the ideas related to the transformations in literature and the changes of values of life giving it new meanings, colours and directions.'
His ghazals were sung by most of the prominent artistes outside the cinematic gamut while his lyrics used extensively in the films.
Awards
Award Movie
Filmfare - 1960 Chaudhvin Ka Chand
Filmfare - 1961 Gharana
Filmfare - 1962 Bees Saal Baad
The Best of Shakeel Badayuni
Door Ke Musafir Hamko Bhee Saath Le Le Udan Khatola
Aaj Purani Rahon Se Aadmi
Kahin Deep Jale Kahin Dil Bees Saal Baad
Suhaani Raat Dhal Chuki Dulaari
Pyaar kiya tho darna kya Mughal -E-Azam
Dhoondo Dhoondo Re Saajna Ganga Jamuna
Duniya Ke Rakhwale Baiju Bawra
Aaj Mere Man Me Sakhi Baansuri Bajaaye Koi Aan
Ye Zindagi Ke Mele Duniya Kam Na Honge Mela
Chhod Babul Kaa Ghar Mohe Pee Kaa Nagar Babul
Kaahe Jiya Dole Ho Kaha Nahi Jaaye Anokhi Adaa
Jogan Ban Jaungi Saiyan Tere Kaaran Shabaab
Chandan Kaa Palnaa Resham Ki Dori Shabaab
Zindagi Dene Waale Sun Dil - E - NadanEdited by paljay - 17 years ago