Sahir Ludhianvi(real name-Abdul Hayie) [1921-1980] was one of the best lyricist among his contemporary stalwarts like Shakeel Badayuni, Mazrooh Sultanpuri, Kaifi Azmi, Shailendra, Hasrat Jaipuri. He wrote the first Hindi film lyrics for ‘Afsar’ [1950] for composer S.D. Burman and for ‘Naujawan’ in the year 1951. The song ‘Thandi Hawayen Lehrake Aayen’ of ‘Naujawan’ sung by Lata is even popular today.
With S D Burman he teamed for hit films like Afsar, Sazaa, Naujawan, Baazi, Jaal, Taxi Driver, House Number 44, Munimji, Devdas, Funtoosh and Pyaasa. With composer Roshan, he wrote lyrics for Barsat Ki Raat, Tajmahal and Chitralekha and Bahu Begum. For music director O P Nayyar, he wrote lyrics for ‘Tumsa Nahin Dekha’ and ‘ Sone Ki Chidiya’. For Jaidev he wrote lyrics for films ‘Humdono’ and ‘Mujhe Jeene Do’.
He was the preferred lyrics writer for B.R. Chopra and Yash Chopra films. With music director N. Dutta he wrote lyrics for films Sadhna, Dhool Ka Phool, Dharm Putra and with Ravi for films Gumrah, Waqt, Humraaz and Dhund. With Laxmi-Pyare for film Daag, with Khayyam for Kabhi Kabhie and Trishul. With R D Burman for Deewar and The Burning train.
All the above films are memorable and hits. Sahir was a romantic poet and as he failed in love twice with Amrita Pritam and Sudha Malhotra, his songs also contain tragic emotions. He brought the level of lyrics to high standard by carefully choosing words in his songs. His poetry also evoked philosophy, humanism, secularism and feminism.
The following are my choice of his twenty best https://lyrics. Although all his songs for films like Taxi Driver, Pyasa, Hum Dono, Gumrah and Kabhi Kabhie etc. were superb, only one each from these films and two songs of each music director with whom he teamed have been listed. The numbering is arbitrary and not in order of merit.
1. Jayen to jayen kahan, samjhega kaun yahan –[Film: Taxi Driver-Music: S D Burman, Singer: Lata / Talat Mahmood] A soulful melody.
2. Jaane wo kaise log the jinako pyar ke pyar mila.humne to jab kaliyan mangi kanton ka haar mila.–[ Film: Pyasa, Music: S D Burman, singer-Hemant kumar]. In this world, not every one is fortunate to fulfil his wish [ reflecting on his own failure in love]
3. Pyaar Par Bas To Nahin Hai Lekin Phir Bhi Tu Bata De Ki Main Tujhe Pyaar Karoon Ya Na Karoon [Film: Sone Ki Chidiya, Music: O P Nayyar, singer- Talat Mahmood] . Apparently inspired from his life events.
4. Yuun to hamane laakh hasiin dekhe hain, tumasaa nahiin dekhaa – Film: Tumasaa nahiin dekhaa, Music: O P Nayyar, singer-Rafi]. Praising the beloved.
5. Na To Caarvaan Ki Talaash Hai, Na To Humsafar Ki Talaash Hai Mere Shauq-E-Khaana Kharaab Ko, Teri Rehguzar Ki Talaash Hai –[Film: Barsat Ki raat, Music: Roshan, Singers: Rafi, Mannadey, Asha, Sudha Malhotra]: The marathon Qawwali which became a huge hit following which the trend started in later films to include qawwali songs. Later on for Film Taj Mahal he penned another hit qawwali “Chaandi ka badan sone ki nazhar” for the same composer.
6. Sansar se bhage phirte ho, bhagwan ko kyat um pao ge. –Film: Chitralekha, Music: Roshan, singer-Lata] . One who escapes from his mundane duty and becomes a sadhu or sanyasi cannot realise God. Action without attachment only can bring God realization, happiness and peace.
7. Nagmaa-o-sher kee saugaat kise pesh karun, ye chhalakate huye jajabaat kise pesh karun. Film: Gazal –Music: Madan Mohan-Singer:Lata – A marvellous Ghazal.
8. Basti Basti parbat parbat gata jaye banjara, lekar dil ka ek tara-[Film: Railway Platform, Music: Madan Mohan-Singer:Rafi] Man comes to this world empty handed and will leave this world empty handed leaving all his wealth behind.
9. Maine Chand aur sitaron ki tamanna ki thi – [Film: Chandrakanta, Music: N Dutta; singer- Rafi]. What a melodius song with a touch of pathos!
10. Tu Hindu Banega na Musalmaan Banega Insaan ki Aulaad Hai, Insaan Banega [Film: Dhool Ka Phool, Music: N Dutta, Singer: Rafi] Humanity[Insaniyat] is much above following the dictat of any religion.
11. Ye wadiyan ye fizayen bula rahi hain tumhe - Film: Gumrah, Music: Ravi, singer: Rafi] A wonderful description of enjoying beauty of nature.
12. Tora man darpan kahalaye- [Film: Kajal, Music: Ravi, singer: Asha] Man knows what he is himself, although he may pretend to be someone else for others.
13. Main zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya Har fikr ko dhuwein me udata chala gaya-[Film: Humdono, Music: Jaidev, singer: Rafi] . one should not worry what ever big may be a problem.
14. Nadi nare na jao shyam paiyan padun-[ Film:Mujhe Jeene do, Music: Jaidev, singer:Asha] –Lover requests her beloved not to leave her alone.
15. Aapki mahki hooyyi zulf ko kahthe hain ghata .[Film: Trishul: Music: Khayyam, singers- Lata and Kishore] Romantic: Each lover praising the other.
16. Tere chehare se najar nahi hatati najare ham kya dekhe.[Film: Kabhi Kabhie: Music: Khayyam, singers- Lata and Kishore] When one is closeted with his or her beloved, nothing else matters.
17. Keh doon tumhe ya chup rahun, Dil mein mere aaj kya hai .[Film: Deewaar, Music: R D Burman, singers: Asha-Kishore]- Romantic poetry
18. Kiska raasta dekhe aye dil aye saudai. [Film: Joshila, Music: R D Burman, Singer: Kishore Kumar] Waiting for the beloved in silence.
19. Mere dil mein aaj kya hai, tu kahe to main batta doon.[Film: Daag, Music: Laxmikant Pyarelal, singer-Kishore]
20. Kyaa miliye aise logon se, jinakii fitarat chhupii rahe, naqli chehra samne aye, asli chehra chhupi rahe. Film: Izzat, Music: Laxmikant Pyarelal, singer: Rafi]. Often people pretend and one should be careful in dealing with such people.
