Shailendra (lyricist)
Shailendra | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Born | Shankardas Kesarilal 30 August 1923 |
| Died | 14 December 1966 (aged 43) Mumbai, India |
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 1949–1966 |
| Spouse |
Shakuntala (m. 1948) |
| Children | 5 |
Shailendra (born Shankardas Kesarilal; 30 August 1923 – 14 December 1966) was an Indian Hindi-Urdu poet, lyricist and film producer.[1] He is regarded as one of the greatest and most celebrated lyricists of the Indian film industry.[2][3] Known for his association with filmmaker Raj Kapoor, singer Mukesh, and composer duo Shankar–Jaikishan, he wrote lyrics for several successful Hindi film songs in the 1950s and 1960s.[4][5] He also wrote songs in the Bhojpuri language for early Bhojpuri movies as his mother tongue was Bhojpuri.[6]
Early life
Shankar Shailendra was born on 30 August 1923 in Rawalpindi, Punjab (now in Pakistan).[7] He was born into a Dalit family belonging to the Chamar community[8][9] and his ancestors were originally from the Ara district of Bihar.[10] Due to financial crisis, his family later moved to Mathura from Rawalpindi where Shailendra completed his studies.[10] At a young age, he lost his mother and sister. His village in Arrah, Bihar mostly comprised agricultural laborers and Shailendra’s father had shifted to Rawalpindi to find work at a military hospital.[11] Shailendra came in contact with Indra Bahadur Khare at the Kishori Raman Vidyalay (now Kishori Raman Inter College) Mathura. Both composed poems, sitting on the rock located on the bank of a pond in between railway 27 quarters and railway line near to Mathura station. Afterwards Shailendra moved to Bombay for films and Indra Bahadur Khare became famous in Raashtreey Kavita.[12]
Career in films
Shailendra started his career as an apprentice with Indian Railways in Matunga workshop, Mumbai in 1947. He began to write poetry at this time.
The filmmaker Raj Kapoor noticed Shailendra, when the latter read his poem Jalta hai Punjab at a mushaira (poetic symposium).[13] Kapoor offered to buy the poem Jalta Hai Punjab written by Shailendra and for his movie Aag (1948). Shailendra, a member of the leftist Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA), was wary of mainstream Indian cinema and refused. However, after his wife became pregnant, Shailendra himself approached Raj Kapoor in need of money. At this time, Raj Kapoor was filming Barsaat (1949), and two of the film songs had not yet been written. For ₹ 500, Shailendra wrote these two songs: Patli kamar hai and Barsaat mein. The music for Barsaat was composed by Shankar–Jaikishan.[14][15]
The team of Raj Kapoor, Shailendra, and Shankar–Jaikishan went on to produce many other hit songs. The song 'Awara Hoon' from the 1951 film Awaara, written by Shailendra, became the most appreciated Indian film song outside India at the time.[16] Shailendra wrote lyrics for the songs of most of Raj Kapoor’s films, Shree 420 released in 1955 is one of them. All songs of this film were hits and they are still sung on various occasions. One can easily understand the power and magic of Shailendra's lyrics from the song "Pyaar hua iqaraar hua hai, Pyaar se phir kyo darta hai dil", remains an evergreen Bollywood song.[17]
In the days when composers would recommend lyricists to producers, Shankar–Jaikishan once promised Shailendra that they would recommend him, but did not keep their promise. Shailendra sent them a note with the lines, Chhoti Si Yeh Duniya, Pehchaane Raaste Hain. Kahin To Miloge, toh Poochhenge Haal ("The world is small, the roads are familiar. We'll meet sometime, and ask 'How do you do?'"). Shankar–Jaikishan realised what the message meant and, having apologised, turned the lines into a popular song. The song, sung by Kishore Kumar, appeared in the film Rangoli (1962), for which the producer Rajendra Singh Bedi wanted to sign Majrooh Sultanpuri as the lyricist. However, Shankar–Jaikishan insisted on Shailendra and the producer had to oblige.[18]
Shailendra also wrote lyrics for several Bhojpuri films. Avijit Ghosh mentions in his book, Cinema Bhojpuri, that Shailendra penned songs for Ganga Maiya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo (the first Bhojpuri film), Ganga, Mitwa and Vidhana Naach Nachawe. On page 184, Ghosh wrote that Shailendra received the best lyricist award for Ganga Maiyya... for all Bhojpuri and Magadhi films released till then at a function held in April 1965 in Calcutta.[19] Shailendra also appeared on-screen as the male character singing the songs, "Chali Kaunse Desh Gujariya Tu Saj Dhaj Ke" from Boot Polish (1954) lip-syncing to Talat Mahmood's vocals as well as "Tedhi Tedhi Humse Phire Saari Duniya" from Musafir (1957) lip-syncing to Manna Dey's vocals. Both of these songs were written by him. He also played a cameo in Shree 420 (1955), playing the role of Raj's (Raj Kapoor's character) associate in the con to sell shares of his fictitious company, making phone calls to Raj while posing as a Japanese investor desperate to buy shares of his company.
Personal life
During his struggling period, Shailendra came in contact with a distant relative who previously worked as a station master at the railway station of Jhansi, Bundelkhand. Through him, Shailendra met his daughter Shakuntala (2 August 1932 – 5 March 1991). Shailendra married Shakuntala in 1948, in a love marriage. They had three sons and two daughters:
- Shailey Shailendra (born Hemant Shailendra; 9 December 1949 – 7 February 2007), a lyricist
- Manoj Shailendra (born early 1950s)
- Amla Shailendra Mazumdar (born 15 October early 1950s) writer, author of Shailendra – A Love Lyric in Print : A Daughter Remembers (published 4 August 2024)
- Gopa Shailendra Chandra (27 June 1954 – 22 January 2015)
- Dinesh Shailendra (born 9 April 1956), film director and writer
Last years
The only film Shailendra produced is Teesri Kasam (1966). Directed by Basu Bhattacharya and starring Raj Kapoor and Waheeda Rehman, it was an adaptation of Phanishwar Nath Renu's famous short story Maare Gaye Ghulfam.[20] However, In 1961 Shailendra invested heavily in the production of the movie Teesri Kasam (1966), directed by Basu Bhattacharya and starring Raj Kapoor and Waheeda Rehman. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film, but was a commercial failure.[21] Declining health resulting from tension associated with film production and anxiety due to financial loss, coupled with alcohol abuse, effected his early death on 14 December 1966 at the age of 43.[22] After his death, his associates Raj Kapoor and Mukesh, both of whom were involved in the film, helped Shailendra's family to overcome from the financial problems and due payments to the creditors.
Contrary to this, Dinesh Shailendra, the youngest son of the legendary lyricist, has openly clarified in interviews (such as his detailed chat with The Hindu) that the popular industry myth surrounding his father’s passing is highly exaggerated.[23] As one of the most successful lyricists of Hindi cinema's Golden Era, Shailendra was earning an exceptional income through constant film projects and music royalties. A single movie's distribution failure could not completely bankrupt him. According to Dinesh, it was not the lack of money that broke Shailendra, but the emotional trauma and betrayal by close associates in the industry. The delay in releasing Teesri Kasam was caused by distributors backing out and people he trusted turning their backs on him. This deep sense of betrayal—rather than poverty—shattered his mental and physical well-being.[24]
Shailendra's song "Rula Ke Gaya Sapna Mera" Jewel Thief (1967) directly reflected his real-life feelings of betrayal during his final days.
Legacy
Shailendra's son Shailey Shailendra also became a lyricist. At the age of 17, Raj Kapoor asked him to complete his father's song Jeena yahan, marna yahan for the film Mera Naam Joker. Shaily Shailendra completed the "mukhra" (lit. "face," or chorus) of the song whereas Shailendra completed the "antara" (verses) only before his demise. Lyricist, writer, and director Gulzar has repeatedly stated that Shailendra was the best lyricist produced by the Hindi film industry.[25]
Shailendra's song Mera Joota Hai Japani was featured in the 2016 Hollywood movie Deadpool (2016).[26] A street in the Dhauli Pyau locality of Mathura was named after Shailendra on 9 March 2016 - Geetkar-Jankavi Shailendra Marg – Mathura. Shailendra spent 16 years of his early life in Mathura before moving to Mumbai to work for Indian Railways in 1947.[27][28]
Awards
Lyricist
Shailendra thrice won the Filmfare Best Lyricist Award.[29]
- 1958: "Yeh Mera Deewanapan Hai" (Yahudi)
- 1959: "Sab Kuch Seekha Humne" (Anari)
- 1968: "Main Gaoon Tum So Jao" (Brahmchari)
Producer
As a producer Shailendra's film Teesri Kasam (1966) won the National Film award of 1967 in the category Best feature film.[30]
Filmography
| Year | Film | Songs written | Music Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 | Barsaat | 2 | Shankar-Jaikishan | Debut film |
| 1951 | Awāra | 7 | ||
| Badal | 5 | |||
| Buzdil | 3-4 | Sachin Dev Burman | ||
| Kali Ghata | 1 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| Nagina | 5 | |||
| 1952 | Anand Math | 4 | Hemant Kumar | |
| Anhonee | 1 | Roshan Lal Nagrath | ||
| Badnam | 5 | Basant Prakash | ||
| Chhatrapati Shivaji | 8 (All) | Ramchandra Narhar Chitalkar | ||
| Daag | 6 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| Nau Bahar | 4 | Roshan Lal Nagrath | One of Shailendra's songs "Phool Chun Le Mere Baalam..." sung by Lata Mangeshkar was not used in the film although it was issued in the film's records. This song was later used in the film Firdaus (1953) and was re-issued under that film's records. | |
| Parbat | 3 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| Poonam | 4 | |||
| Sanskar | 7 (All) | Roshan Lal Nagrath | ||
| Shrimatiji | 1 | Jimmy | While the film had 3 music directors Basant Prakash, Jimmy and Mohinder Singh Sarna, Shailendra penned only 1 song in the film "Teri Chahat Mein Balam Mit Gaye Hum Teri Kasam..." sung by Geeta Dutt. | |
| 1953 | Aagosh | 4 | Roshan Lal Nagrath | |
| Aah | 4 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| Aas | 5 | |||
| Anarkali | 2 | Ramchandra Narhar Chitalkar | ||
| Aurat | 3 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| Do Bigha Zamin | 4 (All) | Salil Chowdhury | ||
| Firdaus | 1 | Roshan Lal Nagrath | The song "Phool Chun Le Mere Balaam..." was originally recorded for the film Nau Bahar (1952), made by the same film producer, M. S. Ahluwalia, but had remained unused. It was later included in this film and reissued on records for it. This was the only song of both Shailendra and Roshan individually in the film. The other songs of this film was composed by Robin Chatterjee. | |
| Mashuqa | 6 | |||
| Naya Ghar | 4 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| Patita | 6 | |||
| Shikast | 8 | |||
| 1954 | Badshah | 2 | ||
| Bhai Saheb | 10 (All) | Neenu Majumdar | ||
| Boot Polish | 4 | Shankar-Jaikishan | Also co-performed in the song "Chali Kaun Se Des Gujariya Tu Saj Dhaj Ke..." written by himself, lip-syncing to co-singer Talat Mahmood's vocals. | |
| Chandni Chowk | 4 | Roshan Lal Nagrath | ||
| Mayurpankh | 3 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| Naukri | 6 (All) | Salil Chowdhury | ||
| Pilpli Saheb | 2 | Sardul Singh Kwatra | ||
| Pooja | 7 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| 1955 | Amanat | 6 (All) | Salil Chowdhury | |
| Chingari | 6 | Manohar Lal Sonik | ||
| Madh Bhare Nain | 8 (All) | Sachin Dev Burman | ||
| Munimji | 4 | Sachin Dev Burman | ||
| Seema | 4 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| Shree 420 | 6 | Also performed the role of Raj's (Raj Kapoor) associate in the con to sell shares of his fictitious company, making phone calls to Raj while posing as a Japanese investor desperate to buy shares of his company. | ||
| Tis Maar Khan | Atleast 1 | Sardul Singh Kwatra | ||
| 1956 | Aawaz | 3 | Salil Chowdhury | |
| Basant Bahar | 8 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| Chori Chori | 4 | |||
| Delhi Darbar | 1 | Shri Nath Tripathi | ||
| Ek Din Ratre | 1 | Salil Chowdhury | Bengali version of the Hindi film Jagte Raho (1956). One of Shailendra's Hindi songs from Jagte Raho, "Maine Jo Li Angdaayi, Dheere Se Muskaayi..." was retained in this film too. | |
| Halaku | 5 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| Jagte Raho | 4 | Salil Chowdhury | ||
| Kismet Ka Khel | 5 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| New Delhi | 7 | |||
| Parivar | 6 (All) | Salil Chowdhury | ||
| Patrani | 9 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| Raj Hath | 7 | |||
| Sailaab | 2 | Mukul Roy | ||
| 1957 | Ab Dilli Dur Nahin | 4 | Dattaram Wadkar | |
| Begunah | 3 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| Coffee House | 1 | Roshan Lal Nagrath | ||
| Ek Gaon Ki Kahani | 7 (All) | Salil Chowdhury | ||
| Kathputli | 6 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| Musafir | 6 (All) | Salil Chowdhury | Also co-performed in the song "Tedhi Tedhi Humse Phire Saari Duniya..." written by himself, lip-syncing to co-singer Manna Dey's vocals. | |
| Ram Hanuman Yuddha | 5 | Shri Nath Tripathi | ||
| 1958 | Aji Bas Shukriya | 1 | Roshan Lal Nagrath | |
| Baghi Sipahi | 5 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| Detective | 8 (All) | Mukul Roy | ||
| Devar Bhaabi | 5 | Ravi Shankar Sharma | ||
| Dilli Ka Thug | 2 | |||
| Indrani | 1 | Nachiketa Ghosh | He wrote the Hindi song "Sabhi Kuch Lutakar Huye Hum Tumhare..." in this Bengali film. | |
| Madhumati | 10 | Salil Chowdhury | ||
| Naya Kadam | 1 | Shivram Krishna | ||
| Savera | 5 | Shailesh Mukherjee | ||
| Yahudi | 6 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| 1959 | Anari | 5 | ||
| Chand | 5 | Hemant Kumar | ||
| Chhoti Bahen | 6 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| Deep Jalta Rahe | 5 | Roshan Lal Nagrath | ||
| Heera Moti | 4 | |||
| Hum Bhi Insan Hain | 6 (All) | Hemant Kumar | ||
| Insan Jaag Utha | 7 (All) | Sachin Dev Burman | ||
| Jawani Ki Hawa | 2 | Ravi Shankar Sharma | ||
| Kaagaz Ke Phool | 1 | Sachin Dev Burman | "Hum Tum Jise Kehta Hai Shaadi..." was the only song Shailendra penned for this film. While he was credited in the film's music records, his name was missing in the opening credits as it featured only Kaifi Azmi's name who penned all the film's other songs. | |
| Kal Hamara Hai | 3 | Gajanan and Chitragupta Srivastava | The film had 2 music directors who composed songs separately - Chitragupta Srivastava and Gajanan. However, Gajanan was not credited in the film's opening credits nor in its publicity material. The identity of this music director is not confirmed but it is possible that he was Gajanan Karnad, a violinist, sessions musician and a classical musician. Shailendra penned 1 song for Chitragupta and both the 2 songs which Gajanan composed for this film. | |
| Kanhaiya | 6 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| Love Marriage | 5 | |||
| Madhu | 4 | Roshan Lal Nagrath | ||
| Main Nashe Men Hoon | 4 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| Nai Raahen | 3 | Ravi Shankar Sharma | ||
| Satta Bazaar | 1 | Kalyanji-Anandji | ||
| Shararat | 5 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| Ujala | 5 | |||
| 1960 | Anuradha | 7 (All) | Pandit Ravi Shankar | |
| Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai | 5 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| Ek Phool Char Kante | 6 | |||
| Honeymoon | 7 (All) | Salil Chowdhury | ||
| Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai | 10 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| Kala Bazar | 8 (All) | Sachin Dev Burman | ||
| Masoom | 1 | Hemant Kumar | Hemant Kumar was initially signed up to compose the music for this film and had even composed the song "Nani Teri Morni Ko Mor Le Gaye..." sung by his daughter Ranu Mukherjee (her first Hindi film song) and penned by Shailendra. However, the recording of this song and the composition of the remaining songs in the film were handed over to Robin Banerjee when Hemant Kumar became unavailable due to an overseas trip. This also remained the only song of Shailendra for the film. | |
| Miya Bibi Razi | 7 (All) | Sachin Dev Burman | ||
| Parakh | 5 (All) | Salil Chowdhury | ||
| Singapore | 4 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| Usne Kaha Tha | 4 | Salil Chowdhury | ||
| 1961 | Aas Ka Panchhi | 4 | Shankar-Jaikishan | |
| Boy Friend | 2 | |||
| Char Diwari | 6 (All) | Salil Chowdhury | ||
| Chhote Nawab | 8 (All) | Rahul Dev Burman | ||
| Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai | 2 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| Junglee | 3 | |||
| Karodpati | 6 | |||
| Kanch Ki Gudiya | 6 (All) | Suhrid Kar | ||
| Memdidi | 6 (All) | Salil Chowdhury | ||
| Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja | 6 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| Sapan Suhane | 7 (All) | Salil Chowdhury | ||
| Sasural | 5 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| 1962 | Aashiq | 6 | ||
| Asli Naqli | 2 | |||
| Bombay Ka Chor | 1 | Ravi Shankar Sharma | ||
| Dil Tera Diwana | 4 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| Ganga Maiyya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo | 7 (All) | Chitragupta Srivastava | First film made under the Bhojpuri film industry | |
| Half Ticket | 7 (All) | Salil Chowdhury | ||
| Hariyali Aur Rasta | 6 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| Naughty Boy | 8 (All) | Sachin Dev Burman | ||
| Professor | 2 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| Rungoli | 6 | |||
| Sangeet Samrat Tansen | 12 | Tansen, Shri Nath Tripathi and Swami Haridas | ||
| Sautela Bhai | 8 (All) | Anil Krishna Biswas | ||
| Shiv Parvati | 1 | Shri Nath Tripathi | ||
| Soorat Aur Seerat | 4 (All) | Roshan Lal Nagrath | ||
| 1963 | Bandini | 6 | Sachin Dev Burman | |
| Begaana | 8 (All) | Sapan-Jagmohan | ||
| Dil Ek Mandir | 5 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| Ek Dil Sau Afsane | 4 | |||
| Hamrahi | 3 | |||
| Jab Se Tumhe Dekha Hai | 5 | Dattaram Wadkar | ||
| Meri Surat Teri Ankhen | 7 (All) | Sachin Dev Burman | ||
| 1964 | Apne Huye Paraye | 5 | Shankar-Jaikishan | |
| April Fool | 1 | |||
| Ayee Milan Ki Bela | 2 | |||
| Beti Bete | 4 | |||
| Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein | 7 | Kishore Kumar | ||
| Rajkumar | 4 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| Sangam | 4 | |||
| Sanjh Aur Savera | 3 | |||
| Zindagi | 5 | |||
| 1965 | Chand Aur Suraj | 6 (All) | Salil Chowdhury | |
| Chhoti Chhoti Baten | 6 (All) | Anil Krishna Biswas | ||
| Guide | 9 | Sachin Dev Burman | ||
| Gumnaam | 3 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| Janwar | 3 | |||
| Poonam Ki Raat | 6 (All) | Salil Chowdhury | ||
| 1966 | Amrapali | 4 | Shankar-Jaikishan | |
| Budtameez | 2 | |||
| Gaban | 3 | |||
| Kunwari | 7 | Shri Nath Tripathi | ||
| Love In Tokyo | 1 | |||
| Pinjre Ke Panchhi | 4 | Salil Chowdhury | ||
| Pyar Mohabbat | 5 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| Suraj | 2 | |||
| Teesri Kasam | 7 | Also Producer | ||
| 1967 | Aman | 1 | Posthomous release | |
| An Evening In Paris | 5 | |||
| Around The World | 5 | |||
| Chhoti Si Mulaqat | 3 | |||
| Diwana | 5 | |||
| Gunahon Ka Devta | 1 | |||
| Hare Kanch Ki Chooriyan | 3 | |||
| Hum Do Daku | 5 (All) | Kishore Kumar | ||
| Jewel Thief | 1 | Sachin Dev Burman | ||
| Laat Saheb | 2 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| Raat Aur Din | 5 | |||
| 1968 | Brahmachari | 3 | ||
| Jhuk Gaya Aasman | 2 | |||
| Kahin Aur Chal | 3 | |||
| Sapno Ka Saudagar | 3 | |||
| Vidhana Naach Nachawe | 4 (All) | Dattaram Wadkar | Posthomous release; Bhojpuri film | |
| 1970 | Mera Naam Joker | 4 | Shankar-Jaikishan | Posthomous release; Shailendra penned the hook lines of the song "Jeena Yahaan Marna Yahaan..." sung by Mukesh, the remaining lyrics were completed by his eldest son Shailey Shailendra, who also made his debut as a lyricist in this film. |
| 1971 | Door Ka Rahi | 2 | Kishore Kumar | Posthomous release |
| Jawan Mohabbat | 1 | Shankar-Jaikishan | ||
| Jwala | 2 | |||
| 1983 | Film Hi Film | 1 | Posthomous release; Footage of the song "Hans Kar Hansa Masti Mein Gaa..." written by him for the shelved film Bahrupiya (1964) sung by Manna Dey, performed by Raj Kapoor with music by Shankar-Jaikishan was used in this film. | |
| 1990 | Mamta Ki Chhan Mein | 1 | Kishore Kumar | Posthomous release; The song "Mera Geet Adhoora Hai..." was Shailendra's last recorded Hindi film song. It was also the last time a Kishore Kumar song was picturised on Rajesh Khanna. |
References
- ↑ Gopal, Sangita; Moorti, Sujata (2008). "Introduction: Travels of Hindi Song and Dance". Global Bollywood: Travels of Hindi Song and Dance. University of Minnesota Press. pp. 1–62 (22). ISBN 978-0-8166-4578-7.
- ↑ _
- Gulazāra; Nihalani, Govind; Chatterjee, Saibal (2003). Encyclopaedia of Hindi Cinema. Popular Prakashan, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. p. 288. ISBN 978-81-7991-066-5.
They were Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri, and they formed a permanent team with Shanker and Jaikishen. The foursome dominated the industry till the 1970s. Shailendra was a poet of very high calibre, and probably the best lyricist to happen to the Hindi film industry.
- Anantharaman, Ganesh (2008). Bollywood Melodies: A History. Random House Publishers India Pvt. Limited. p. 115. ISBN 978-93-86495-31-0. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
It is perhaps his untimely death at the age of forty-three that has etched him in the memory of many music lovers as the greatest lyricist in Hindi cinema.
- Gulazāra; Nihalani, Govind; Chatterjee, Saibal (2003). Encyclopaedia of Hindi Cinema. Popular Prakashan, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. p. 288. ISBN 978-81-7991-066-5.
- ↑ _
- Kusnur, Narendra (26 August 2021). "Shailendra: Poet of the masses". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
After more than six decades, songs penned by the inimitable Shailendra continue to warm our hearts, be hummed by the older generation, and sung by young participants at music reality shows.
- "Shailendras birth centenary: Verdant verses from the poet of pathos". The Tribune. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
Whether it was 'Barsaat mein tum se mile hum' ('Barsaat', 1949), 'Awaara hoon' ('Awaara', 1951), 'Dil ka haal sune dilwala' ('Shri 420', 1955), 'Chhoti si ye duniya' ('Rangoli', 1962) or 'Jeena yahan marna yahan' ('Mera Naam Joker', 1970), Shailendra's simple but highly effective language endeared these songs to the listeners of all hues. That's the reason he is still equally adored by the masses and admired by the classes.
- Bakshi, Rajni (29 August 2023). "Shailendra's birth centenary: Why the words of 'Tu Zinda Hai' — and all his inclusive, questioning lyrics — resonate even today". The Indian Express. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
- Kusnur, Narendra (26 August 2021). "Shailendra: Poet of the masses". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
- ↑ Gokulsing, K. Moti; Dissanayake, Wimal (2013). Routledge Handbook of Indian Cinemas. Routledge. p. 264. ISBN 978-1-136-77284-9. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
The most charismatic showman of Indian cinema, Raj Kapoor tied his knot with the composer Shanker-Jaikishen, singers Mukesh-Lata and lyricist Shailendra from his super-hit film Barsaat (Rain, 1949), and this unforgettable journey of film music continued for a long time to enrich Indian cinema with so many gems.
- ↑ "Lyricist Shailendra gets road named after him in Mathura". The Times of India. 10 March 2016.
- ↑ "Writer of Bhojpuri Songs - Shailendra". NDTV.
- ↑ Ashis Nandy (1998). The Secret Politics of Our Desires: Innocence, Culpability and Indian Popular Cinema. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 102. ISBN 978-1-85649-516-5.
- ↑ Jha, Fiza (14 December 2019). "Shailendra — the Leftist poet and Dalit genius whose lyrics define beauty of simplicity". ThePrint. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
..while launching a compilation of Shailendra's poems titled Andar Ki Aag (The Fire Within), his son Dinesh Shankar Shailendra revealed that his father had belonged to the Dhursia caste, a cobbler community from Bihar.
- ↑ Singh, Pratikshit (30 August 2023). "Shailendra: Centenary of a Lyricist Whose Songs Brimmed with the Anguish of the Masses". The Mooknayak English - Voice Of The Voiceless. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
The legendary lyricist was born on 30th August 1923 in Rawalpindi (now in Pakistan) into a Dalit family of Bihari descent.
- 1 2 admin (1 September 2023). "Shailendra - The True Lyricist Of Hindi Filmdom". IndiaWest Journal News. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
- ↑ Apurva, Ankita (2 September 2021). "Shailendra: Portraying Complex Realities Of Common Lives". Feminism in India. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
- ↑ "Shailendra Chowk [शैलेन्द्र चौक] – Poet, Lyricist, Kaviraj, Shailendra (lyricist) -". 2 October 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
- ↑ Dinesh Raheja; Jitendra Kothari (1996). The hundred luminaries of Hindi cinema. India Book House Publishers. p. 68. ISBN 978-81-7508-007-2.
- ↑ "Remembering Shailendra, the Balladeer of Hindi Cinema". The Wire. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
- ↑ Vancheeswaran, Ganesh (22 September 2020). "Music and lyrics: How Shailendra gift-wrapped cosmic truths through his songs". Scroll.in. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
- ↑ Ashraf Aziz (2003), "Shailendra", Light of the universe: essays on Hindustani film music, Three Essays Collective, 2003, pp. 37–76, ISBN 9788188789078
- ↑ "Pyar Hua Iqrar Hua लिरिक्स - Shree 420". Gana Lyrics. 12 March 2019. Archived from the original on 25 June 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ↑ Madan Gaur (1973). Other side of the coin: an intimate study of Indian film industry. Trimurti Prakashan. p. 69.
- ↑ Ghosh, Avijit (2010). CINEMA BHOJPURI. Penguin UK. ISBN 978-81-8475-256-4. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ↑ Weller, Philip (2002). Gaye. Oxford Music Online. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.o004261.
- ↑ Gulzar, Govind Nihalani; Saibal Chatterjee, eds. (2003). Encyclopaedia of Hindi Cinema. Popular Prakashan. p. 556. ISBN 978-81-7991-066-5. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
- ↑ Ashis Nandy (1998). The Secret Politics of Our Desires: Innocence, Culpability and Indian Popular Cinema. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 125. ISBN 978-1-85649-516-5. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
- ↑ https://songsofshailendra.com/2012/08/30/article-peoples-poet-interview-with-dinesh-shailendra-the-hindu-august-2-2012/
- ↑ https://frontline.thehindu.com/arts-and-culture/cinema/shailendra-raj-kapoor-socialist-soul-of-hindi-cinema/article69628889.ece
- ↑ "Gulzar on Shailendra in Naya Gyanodaya". 2011.
- ↑ Avijit Ghosh. "When Shailendra's 'Mera Joota Hai Japani' went global, thanks to 'Deadpool'". The Times of India.
- ↑ "Lyricist Shailendra gets road named after him in Mathura". The Indian Express. 9 March 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
- ↑ "Lyricist Shailendra gets road named after him in Mathura". The Times of India. 16 January 2017. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
- ↑ "Profiling legendary lyricist Shailendra | Filmfare.com". www.filmfare.com. 10 March 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
- ↑ "Essay: 55 years of Teesri Kasam". 11 June 2021.
External links
- Shailendra at IMDb
- Indian male songwriters
- 20th-century Indian songwriters
- Indian lyricists
- 1923 births
- 1966 deaths
- People from Mathura
- Punjabi-language lyricists
- People from Rawalpindi District
- Filmfare Awards winners
- People from Araria district
- 20th-century pseudonymous writers
- Producers who won the Best Feature Film National Film Award
- Dalit writers