Kavi Pradeep

Ramchandra Baryanji Dwivedi
Born	6 February 1915(1915-02-06) Badnagar, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, British India
Died	11 December 1998(1998-12-11) (aged 83) Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Other names	Kavi Pradeep
Occupation	Poet

Kavi Pradeep (1915–1998), born Ramchandra Baryanji Dwivedi, was a renowned poet and songwriter who is best known for his patriotic song, Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo, written as tribute to the soldiers who had died defending the country, during the Sino-Indian War.

His first recognition came for his patriotic lyrics for the film Bandhan (1940), though it was for writing a daringly patriotic song, "Door Haaton aye Duniya walon" (Move Away O Outsiders), in India's first golden jubilee hit, Kismet (1943), that his status as a nationalistic writer got immortalized as, as soon after the film's release, having provoked the ire of British government, he was forced to go underground to avoid arrest.

In a career span, of nearly five decades, Kavi Pradeep, wrote about 1,700 songs, nationalistic poems including the lyrics for some 72 films, including hits like, "Chal Chal Re Naujawan", film Bandhan (1940), "Aao Bachchon Tumhe Dikhayen" and "De Di Hame Azaadi Bina Khadag Bina Dhaal", film Jagriti (1954), and "Yahaan vahaan jahaan tahaan mat poochho kahaan kahaan", film Jai Santoshi Ma, (1975) for which he also did a playback version in the film. In 1958, HMV, released an album of 13 songs with his lyrics, soon he was made the Rashtrakavi, (Poet Laureate), and came to be known as, Kavi Pradeep

In 1997, he was honoured by India's highest award in Cinema, the Dada Saheb Phalke Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Biography

Early life

Born Ramchandra Barayanji Dwivedi in 1915 into a middle-class Brahmin family in the small central Indian town of Badnagar, Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh state. Since his early student days in Madhya Pradesh, and later while pursuing graduation from University of Lucknow, he had a passion for writing and rendering Hindi poetry. He hypnotized the audience at kavi sammelans (poet's gatherings) with his inimitable style. It was during this time he changed his name to Pradeep. After graduating from Lucknow University in 1939, he decided to join a teacher's course and teaching.

Early career

Pradeep was invited to a Kavi Sammelan in Bombay (now Mumbai) where he was offered his first film Kangan (1939), by the Himanshu Rai of Bombay Talkies. The film starred Devika Rani and Ashok Kumar. Pradeep shifted to Bombay and wrote four songs for the film, all of which became very popular and sung three of the songs himself.

He next film was Bandhan (1940), produced by S. Mukherjee and directed by Gyan Mukherjee, and music by Saraswati Devi. This time he wrote all the songs which became huge hits. The Most notable is "Chal chal re naujawan", which made waves since the Indian freedom movement was at a crucial juncture.

Golden era

He worked on five more movies for Bombay Talkies which included Punarmilan, Jhoola, Naya Sansar, Anjan and Kismet (1943). Kismet is known for its patriotic song "Aj Himalay ki choti se phir hamne lalkara hai, door hato ae duniyawalon Hindustan hamara hai".

Mashaal was his next film and it features the extremely popular song "Upar gagan vishal, niche gahara pataal, bich mein dharati, wah mere malik tune kiya kamal..." sung by Manna Dey. Kavi Pradeep was at his creative zenith when he wrote for the films Nastik and Jagriti. He even lent his voice for the evergreen song "Dekh tere sansar ki halat kya ho gayi bhagwaan kitna, badal gaya insaan...". Jagriti is considered to be among his best work for one movie since it includes hit songs such as "Aao bachchon tumhe dikhayen jhanki Hindustan ki, is mitti se tilak karo, yeh dharti hai balidan ki...", "Hum laye hain toofan se kishti nikal ke, is desh ko rakhna mere bachon sambhal ke..." and "Dedi humein azadi bina khadak bina dhal, Sabarmati ke sant tune kar diya kamal...".

His songs were so popular that movies would get repeat audiences just to listen to his soulful songs. Kavi Pradeep always believed in writing songs with a meaning and made sure the songs he wrote fit into the situation of the movie. The popularity of his songs were also due to his down to earth lyrics and simple language that was well understood by everyone. He stayed in the Irla area of the Mumbai suburb of Vile Parle until he died.

Later life

By the 1960s, the popularity of his songs was on the wane and film producers who were looking for western music and fast numbers avoided him. However he managed to prove his detractors wrong with films Talaaq, a Rajendra Kumar starrer and Paigam starring Dilip Kumar, Raaj Kumar and Vyjayantimala. With "Insaan ka insaan se ho bhaichara, yahi paigam hamara.." being a highlight. S. Mukerji’s Sambandh starring Pradeep Kumar was a movie that ran on the popularity of songs such as "Chal akela chal akela, tera mela pichche chhoota rahi chal akela...", "Jo diya tha tumne ek din, mujhe phir wohi pyar de do, ek karz mangta hoon, bachpan udhar de do" were written by Kavi Pradeep. He continued to show his brilliance in 1975, when the movie Jai Santoshi Maa was released. For a low budget movie, it matched the collections of another Block Buster Sholay. For months, theatres screening the movie, held the housefull boards high. Ladies would perform poojas when the immortal song "Main to aarti utaroon re Santoshi mata ki...." was played in the theatres. He also sang one of the songs "Yahan Wahan" from the film for which he received the award as Best Male Playback Singer from the Bengal Film Journalists' Association in 1975. Almost synonymous to his Kismet song "Aj Himalay ki choti se phir hamne lalkara hai..", the reel would be rewound and played many times to satisfy public demand.

The Patriot

Kismet was his groundbreaking effort since it came at the time of the "Quit India" movement. The country was in strife with all national leaders in Jail. He cleverly wrote "Aj Himalay ki choti se phir hamne lalkara hai, door hato ae duniyawalon Hindustan hamara hai". The song was supposed to warn the Axis powers, but the Indian public understood the real meaning of the song. Theatres around the country were resounded with "once more" calls once the song ended. The reel had to be rewound and the song was screened again and again. Kismet made Box Office history for its time by running for 3½ years in one theatre. Though the song managed to pass through heavy censorship of the time, the British soon realized the true meaning of his songs and issued a warrant for his arrest. This forced Kavi Pradeep underground to avoid arrest.

He continued his patriotic zeal with renewed vigor after Independence in movies such as Jagriti, "Dedi humein azadi bina khadak bina dhal, Sabarmati ke sant tune kar diya kamal..." is considered to be his tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.

During 1962 (Indo-China) war days, he heard about Param Vir Major Shaitan Singh Bhati. He was so touched by his sacrifice and bravery that he penned down the lines "Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon" (translation: O people of my country). This song was originally supposed to be sung by Asha Bhosle, due to a misunderstanding between composer C. Ramchandra and Lata Mangeshkar. Kavi Pradeep though, was adamant about having Lata Mangeshkar sing the song, as he felt that hers was the only voice that could do justice to the number. C. Ramchandra was unsure whether Mangeshkar would agree to sing, so Kavi Pradeep began the task of convincing her to hear the song. On hearing the song she was moved so much that she instantly agreed to sing the song, on condition that Kavi Pradeep be present at the rehearsals.

Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo went on to become one of the greatest patriotic songs of the country. It was while listening to Lata Mangeshkar’s rendition of ‘Ae Mere Watan Ke Logo’ that the then Prime Minister of India - Jawaharlal Nehru was moved to tears. For writing the song he was conferred the honour of "Rashtriya Kavi" (National Poet) by the Government Of India.

The song was famously performed live, by Lata Mangeshkar, in the presence of Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru at the Ramlila grounds, New Delhi, on Republic Day, 26 January 1963, and moved him to tears, and a copy of the soundtrack spool was also gifted to him on the occasion. Despite many offers, Kavi Pradeep, pledged the royalties of the song to 'War Widows Fund', and on 25 August 2005, Bombay High Court, ordered, Saregama (HMV) to pay 10 lakhs as arrears in royalty due to the Fund.

Popular Songs

• “Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo” (Kangan)
• “Sooni padi re sitar” (Kangan)
• “Nacho nacho pyare man ke mor” (Punar Milan)
• “Chal chal re nau javan” (Bandhan)
• “Chane jor garam babu” (Bandhan)
• “Piyoo piyoo bol pran papihe” (Bandhan)
• “Ruk na sako to jao” (Bandhan)
• “Kheencho kaman kheencho” (Anjan)
• “Jhoole ke sang jhoolo” (Jhoola)
• “Na jane kidhar aaj meri nao chali re” (Jhoola)
• “Main to dilli se dulhan laya re” (Jhoola)
• “Aaj mausam salona salona re” (Jhoola)
• “Mere bichhade hue saathi” (Jhoola)
• “Door hato ae duniya walo Hindustan hamara hai (Kismet)
• “Dheere dheere aa re badal” (Kismet)
• “Papiha re, mere piyase” (Kismet)
• “Ghar ghar mein diwalee hai mere ghar me andhera” (Kismet)
• “Ab tere siva kaun mera” (Kismet)
• “Har har mahadeo allah o akbar” (Chal Chal Re Naujawan)
• “Ram bharose meri gadi” (Girl”s School)
• “Oopar gagan vishal” (Mashal)
• “Kiski kismet mein kya likha” (Mashal)
• “Aaj ashia ke logon ka kafila chala” (Kafila)
• “Koyal bole ku” (Baap Beti)
• “Kahna bahjaye bansari” (Nastik)
• “Jai jai ram raghurai” (Nastik)
• “Kitna badal gaya insan” (Nastik)
• “Gagan jhan jhana raja” (Nastik)
• “Tere phoolon se bhi pyar” (Nastik)
• “Sabarmati ke sant” (Jagriti)
• “Hum laye hain toofan se” (Jagriti)
• “Chalo chalen maa” (Jagriti)
• “Aao bachacho tumhen dikhayen” (Jagriti)
• “Tere dwar khada bhagwan” (Waman Avtar)
• “Kahe ko bisara hari naam, maati ke putle” (Chakradhari)
• “Doosara o ka dukhada door karne wale” (Dashera)
• “Tunnaak tunnak bole re mera ektara” (Ram Navmi)
• “Pinjare ke panchhi re” (Naag Mani) (video search)
• “Koi lakh kare chaturai” (Chandi Pooja)
• “Nai umar ki kaliyo tumko dekh rehiduniya sari” (Talaq)
• “Bigul baj raha azadi ka” (Talaq)
• “Mere jeevan mein kiran ban ke” (Talaq)
• “Mukhada dekhle praani” (Do Bahen)
• “Insan ka insan se ho bhaichara” (Paigham)
• “O ameeron ke parameshwar” (Paigham)
• “Jawani mein akelapan” (Paigham)
• “O dildaar bolo ek baar” (School Master)
• “Aaj suno hum get vida ka garaha” (School Master)
• “Sanvariya re apni meera ko bhool na jana” (Aanchal)
• “Na jane kahan tum the” (Zindgi aur khwab)
• “Aaj ke is insaan ko ye kya hogaya” (Amar Rahe Ye Pyar)
• “Sooraj re jalte rahena” (Harishchandra Taramati) (video search)
• “Toot gayee hai mala” (Harishchandra Taramati)
• “Janma bhoomi maa” (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose)
• “Suno suno desh ke Hindu - musalman” (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose)
• “Bharat ke liye bhagwan ka ek vardaan hai ganga” (Har har gange)
• “Chal akela chal akela” (Sambandh)
• “Tum ko to karodon saal hue” (Sambandh)
• “Jo diya tha tumne ek din” (Sambandh)
• “Andhere mein jo beithe ho (Sambandh)
• “Ye khushi leke main kya karoon” (Har har gange)
• “Sukh dukh dono rehte” (Kabhi dhoop kabhi chhaon)
• “Hay re sanjog kya ghadi dikhlai” (Kabhi dhoop kabhi chhaon)
• “Chal musafir chal” (Kabhi dhoop kabhi chhaon)
• “Jai Jai narayan narayan hari hari” (Haridarshan)
• “Pabhu ke bharose han ko gaadi” (Haridarshan)
• “Maarnewala hai bhagwan bachanewala hai bhagwan” (Haridarshan)
• “Main is paar” (Agni rekha)
• “Main to aarti utaron” (Jai Santoshi Maa)
• “Yahan wahan jahan tahan” (Jai Santoshi Maa)
• “Mat ro mat ro aj” (Jai Santoshi Maa)
• “Karati hoon tumhara vrat main” (Jai Santoshi Maa)
• “Madad karo santoshi mata” (Jai Santoshi Maa)
• “He maruti saari ram katha ka” (Bajrangbali)
• “Banjaa hoon main” (Aankha ka tara)
• “Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon”

His songs directly address and have inspired and continue to inspire millions of Indians spanning several generations

Awards

Kavi Pradeep received numerous awards throughout his life. Some of which are:

• Sangeet Natak Akademi Award - 1961
• BFJA Award Jai Santoshi Maa (1975)[2]

Quotes

About the kind of songs he wrote, Pradeep once said [3] "Love is just a part of life and the love written about today talks about love between the sexes only. But do young men and women have a monopoly where love is concerned. Aren't there different kinds of love that between a mother and her children, between a father and his children, between a bhakt (devotee) and his deity, between a man and his motherland? I chose to write about all these different kinds of love."

Plagiarized works of Kavi Pradeep

Many of Kavi Pradeep’s works have been plagiarized in neighboring Pakistan. Songs like “Hum Laye Hain Toofan se Kashti Nikal Ke, Is Desh ko rakhnaa mere bachchon sambhal ke”, "Aao Bachon Tumhe Dikhayen Jhanki Hindustan Ki"' have been plagiarized almost word to word with minor changes like 'desh' to 'mulk' and avoiding references like 'Bharat', 'Hind', 'Bapu' etc.^{[citation needed]}

Legacy

Kavi Pradeep died at the age of 83 in Mumbai on 11 December 1998, he was survived by his wife, and two daughters, Sargam Thaker and Mitul Pradeep, who later set up the Kavi Pradeep Foundation. They are assisted in their task by former MLA, Mr Avinash Pande. He is also a distant relative of the poet. An award, Kavi Pradeep Samman, has also been constituted in his memory.

External links

• Kavi Pradeep website
• Pradeep at Kavita Kosh - A large collection of Hindi poems