Shailendra
Encyclopedia
Shankardas Kesarilal popularly known by his pen name Shailendra, was a popular India
n Hindi lyricist
.
. His job brought him to Mumbai
(then Bombay) in 1947. He started writing poetry during these days. Once, when he was reading out his poem Jalta hai Punjab at a public meeting, filmmaker Raj Kapoor
noticed him. He offered to buy poems written by Shailendra and use them for his movie Aag
(1948). Shailendra, a member of the left wing
IPTA
, was wary of mainstream Indian cinema
and refused. However, after the birth of his son, Shaily, he needed money and himself approached Raj Kapoor.
Shailendra's first project for Raj Kapoor was the movie Barsaat (1949). For Rs
500, he wrote two songs: Patli kamar hai and Barsaat mein. The music for Barsaat
was composed by Shankar-Jaikishan. The team of Raj Kapoor, Shailendra and Shankar-Jaikishan produced many superhits.
In the days when composers would recommend lyricists to producers. Shankar-Jaikishan had promised Shailendra that they would recommend him around, but didn't keep their promise. Shailendra sent them a note with the lines, "Chhoti Si Yeh Duniya Pehchaane Raaste Hain Kahin To Miloge Phir Poochhenge Haal". Shankar-Jaikishan realized what the message meant and having said sorry, turned the lines into a well-known song.
Apart from Shankar-Jaikishan, Shailendra also shared a rapport with composers such as Salil Chowdhary (Madhumati
), Sachin Dev Burman
(Guide
, Bandini, Kala Bazaar
), and Ravi Shankar
(Anuradha
). Apart from Raj Kapoor, he shared a rapport with filmmakers such as Bimal Roy
(Do Bigha Zameen
, Madhumati, Bandini) and Dev Anand
(Guide).
Shailendra had invested in the movie Teesri Kasam
, which was not successful. It is said that this was the ultimate cause of his death. His son Shaily Shailendra is also a lyricist. Lyricist Hasrat Jaipuri told once in a tv-interview that Shailendra was the best lyricist the Indian film industry ever had.
three times.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n Hindi lyricist
Lyricist
A lyricist is a songwriter who specializes in lyrics. A singer who writes the lyrics to songs is a singer-lyricist. This differentiates from a singer-composer, who composes the song's melody.-Collaboration:...
.
Career as a lyricist
Shailendra started his career as an employee with Indian RailwaysIndian Railways
Indian Railways , abbreviated as IR , is a departmental undertaking of Government of India, which owns and operates most of India's rail transport. It is overseen by the Ministry of Railways of the Government of India....
. His job brought him to Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
(then Bombay) in 1947. He started writing poetry during these days. Once, when he was reading out his poem Jalta hai Punjab at a public meeting, filmmaker Raj Kapoor
Raj Kapoor
Known as Ranbir Raj Kapoor Rāj Kapūr, 14 December 1924 – 2 June 1988), also known as The Show-Man, was an Indian film actor, producer and director of Hindi cinema. He was the winner of nine Filmfare Awards, while his films Awaara and Boot Polish were nominated for the Palme d'Or at the...
noticed him. He offered to buy poems written by Shailendra and use them for his movie Aag
AAG
-Automotive Industry:* AAG , a German automotive company* AAG , a German automotive company-Aviation & Military:* Anti-aircraft gun, a weapon used for Anti-aircraft warfare...
(1948). Shailendra, a member of the left wing
Left-wing politics
In politics, Left, left-wing and leftist generally refer to support for social change to create a more egalitarian society...
IPTA
Indian People's Theatre Association
Indian People’s Theatre Association was an association of leftist theatre-artists and others mostly based in Kolkata, West Bengal, Mumbai and Assam, India. Its goal was to bring cultural awakening among the people of India. It was the cultural wing of the Communist Party of India...
, was wary of mainstream Indian cinema
Cinema of India
The cinema of India consists of films produced across India, which includes the cinematic culture of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. Indian films came to be followed throughout South Asia and...
and refused. However, after the birth of his son, Shaily, he needed money and himself approached Raj Kapoor.
Shailendra's first project for Raj Kapoor was the movie Barsaat (1949). For Rs
Rupee
The rupee is the common name for the monetary unit of account in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Mauritius, Seychelles, Maldives, and formerly in Burma, and Afghanistan. Historically, the first currency called "rupee" was introduced in the 16th century...
500, he wrote two songs: Patli kamar hai and Barsaat mein. The music for Barsaat
Barsaat
Barsaat is a 1949 Bollywood film directed by Raj Kapoor. The film stars the famous duo of Kapoor and Nargis as well as Prem Nath. It was also the introduction of actress Nimmi in her first film role. Barsaat was one of the first major hit films directed by Kapoor...
was composed by Shankar-Jaikishan. The team of Raj Kapoor, Shailendra and Shankar-Jaikishan produced many superhits.
In the days when composers would recommend lyricists to producers. Shankar-Jaikishan had promised Shailendra that they would recommend him around, but didn't keep their promise. Shailendra sent them a note with the lines, "Chhoti Si Yeh Duniya Pehchaane Raaste Hain Kahin To Miloge Phir Poochhenge Haal". Shankar-Jaikishan realized what the message meant and having said sorry, turned the lines into a well-known song.
Apart from Shankar-Jaikishan, Shailendra also shared a rapport with composers such as Salil Chowdhary (Madhumati
Madhumati
Madhumati is a 1958 Hindi film produced and directed by Bimal Roy, and written by Ritwik Ghatak and Rajinder Singh Bedi. The music was composed by Salil Choudhury with the lyrics by Shailendra. The film stars Dilip Kumar, Vyjayantimala, Pran, and Johnny Walker. It was one of the earliest films to...
), Sachin Dev Burman
Sachin Dev Burman
Sachin Dev Burman , also credited as Burman da, Kumar Sachindra Dev Barman, Sachin karta or S. D. Burman, was one of the most famous music composers for Hindi movies and a Bengali singer and composer. His son Rahul Dev Burman also achieved great success as a Bollywood music director in his own...
(Guide
Guide (film)
Guide is a 1965 Hindi film starring Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman. It was directed by Vijay Anand, who also contributed to the screenplay. The film is based on the critically acclaimed novel, The Guide, by R. K. Narayan, and is widely considered to be one of the masterpieces of the Indian film...
, Bandini, Kala Bazaar
Kala Bazaar
Kala Bazaar is a 1989 Hindi film directed by Rakesh Roshan. This film deals with the socio-political issues of corruption, primarily in the form of bribery, in Indian society.-Plot:...
), and Ravi Shankar
Ravi Shankar
Ravi Shankar , often referred to by the title Pandit, is an Indian musician and composer who plays the plucked string instrument sitar. He has been described as the best known contemporary Indian musician by Hans Neuhoff in Musik in Geschichte und Gegenwart.Shankar was born in Varanasi and spent...
(Anuradha
Anuradha
Anuradha may be:*A disciple and a cousin of Gautama Buddha, see Anuruddha*a lunar mansion in Hindu astrology, see Anuradha *a film, see Anuradha...
). Apart from Raj Kapoor, he shared a rapport with filmmakers such as Bimal Roy
Bimal Roy
Bimal Roy was one of the most acclaimed Indian film directors of all time. He is particularly noted for his realistic and socialistic films like Do Bigha Zamin, Parineeta, Biraj Bahu, Madhumati, Sujata, and Bandini, making him an important director of Hindi cinema...
(Do Bigha Zameen
Do Bigha Zameen
Do Bigha Zamin is 1953 Hindi film, directed by Bengali film director Bimal Roy and star Balraj Sahni and Nirupa Roy in lead roles. The film is known for its socialist theme, and is an important film in the early parallel cinema of India and is rightly considered a trend setter...
, Madhumati, Bandini) and Dev Anand
Dev Anand
Dharam Dev Anand , better known as Dev Anand , is an Indian Hindi Cinema actor, director and film producer. Dev is the second of three brothers who were active in Hindi Cinema. His brothers are Chetan Anand and Vijay Anand. Their sister, Sheel Kanta Kapur, is the mother of renowned Hindi and...
(Guide).
Shailendra had invested in the movie Teesri Kasam
Teesri Kasam
-Awards:* 1967 National Film Award for Best Film* 1967 Moscow International Film Festival: Grand Prix - Nominated-External links:*http://www.upperstall.com/films/teesrikasam.html...
, which was not successful. It is said that this was the ultimate cause of his death. His son Shaily Shailendra is also a lyricist. Lyricist Hasrat Jaipuri told once in a tv-interview that Shailendra was the best lyricist the Indian film industry ever had.
Awards
Shailendra won the Filmfare Best Lyricist AwardFilmfare Best Lyricist Award
The Filmfare Lyricist Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films.The awards were first given in 1953, however the Award for the best lyricist was first given in 1958.-Superlatives:...
three times.
- 1958 Yeh mera deewanapan hai (Yahudi)
- 1959 Sab kuch seekha hamne (AnariAnariAnari is a 1959 Bollywood film directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. The film stars Raj Kapoor, Nutan, Motilal and Lalita Pawar. The music was by Shankar Jaikishan and the lyrics by Hasrat Jaipuri as well as Shailendra...
) - 1968 Main gaoon tum so jaao (Brahmchari)
Shailendra's most popular songs
For filmography please see IMDB entry- Awara HoonAwara HoonAwara Hoon was an internationally popular song from the 1951 classic Hindi film, Awaara, starring Raj Kapoor. The song was written in the Hindi-Urdu or Hindustani language by lyricist Shailendra and sung by Mukesh...
(AwaaraAwaaraAwaara is a 1951 Hindi film directed and produced by Raj Kapoor who also plays the leading role. His real-life father Prithviraj Kapoor stars as his on-screen father Judge Raghunath. Kapoor's youngest real-life brother Shashi Kapoor plays the younger version of his character...
, 1951) - Ramaiya Vastavaiya (Shri 420Shri 420Shree 420 is a 1955 Bollywood film directed, produced by and starring Raj Kapoor.The film centers on Raj, a poor, but educated orphan who comes to Bombay with dreams of success...
) - Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh (Shri 420Shri 420Shree 420 is a 1955 Bollywood film directed, produced by and starring Raj Kapoor.The film centers on Raj, a poor, but educated orphan who comes to Bombay with dreams of success...
) - Mera Joota Hai Japani (Shri 420Shri 420Shree 420 is a 1955 Bollywood film directed, produced by and starring Raj Kapoor.The film centers on Raj, a poor, but educated orphan who comes to Bombay with dreams of success...
) - Aaj Phir Jeene Ki (Guide)
- Gata Rahe Mera Dil (Guide)
- Piya Tose Naina Laage Re (Guide)
- Kya Se Kya Ho Gaya (Guide)
- Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega (SangamSangam (film)Sangam is a 1964 Hindi movie produced by R. K. Films and directed by Raj Kapoor. Music for the film was composed by Shankar-Jaikishan, with song lyrics by Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri. Sangam was producer Raj Kapoor's first color film, distinguished by its technicolor and epic length...
) - Dost Dost Na Raha (SangamSangam (film)Sangam is a 1964 Hindi movie produced by R. K. Films and directed by Raj Kapoor. Music for the film was composed by Shankar-Jaikishan, with song lyrics by Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri. Sangam was producer Raj Kapoor's first color film, distinguished by its technicolor and epic length...
) - Sab Kuchh Seekha hamne (AnariAnariAnari is a 1959 Bollywood film directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. The film stars Raj Kapoor, Nutan, Motilal and Lalita Pawar. The music was by Shankar Jaikishan and the lyrics by Hasrat Jaipuri as well as Shailendra...
) - Kisi Ki Muskurahaton Pe/Jeen isi ka naam hai (AnariAnariAnari is a 1959 Bollywood film directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. The film stars Raj Kapoor, Nutan, Motilal and Lalita Pawar. The music was by Shankar Jaikishan and the lyrics by Hasrat Jaipuri as well as Shailendra...
) - Dil Ki Nazar Se (AnariAnariAnari is a 1959 Bollywood film directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. The film stars Raj Kapoor, Nutan, Motilal and Lalita Pawar. The music was by Shankar Jaikishan and the lyrics by Hasrat Jaipuri as well as Shailendra...
) - Khoya Khoya Chand((kala bazar))
See also
- Shankar JaikishanShankar JaikishanShankar Jaikishan , also known as S/J, is an Indian music composer duo in the Hindi film industry, working together from 1949–1971....
- Hasrat JaipuriHasrat JaipuriHasrat Jaipuri was a Hindi and Urdu poet and film lyricist.-Initial Days:Jaipuri was born Iqbal Husain in Jaipur, where he studied English till medium level, and then acquired his taalim in Urdu and Persian from his grandfather, Fida Husain. He began writing verse, when he was around twenty years...
- Sad Hindi songsSad Hindi songsSad Hindi songs is a major genre of Hindi songs, both Filmi and non-film. It represent the rasa in classical rasa classification in Sanskrit/Hindi.In India, the expression of love is not necessarily limited to male/female lovers...
- Bollywood songsBollywood songsBollywood songs, more formally known as Hindi movie songs, are songs featured in Bollywood films, often performed in item numbers.The language of Hindi movie songs, generally termed Hindi, can be complex. Some songs are saturated with Urdu and Persian terms and it is not uncommon to hear use of...