Shailendra
Shankardas Kesarilal (August 30, 1923 – December 14, 1966), popularly known by his pen name Shailendra, was a popular Indian Hindi lyricist. Noted for his association with the filmmaker Raj Kapoor and the composers Shankar-Jaikishan, he wrote lyrics for several successful Hindi film songs in the 1950s and the 1960s.
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[edit] Biography
Shailendra was born in Rawalpindi, Punjab (British India). His family originally came from Bihar (Father had gone to Punjab for work) and this Bihar connection frequently shone in his compositions.
[edit] Career as a lyricist
Shailendra started his career as an employee with Indian Railways. 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.[1]
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.[2] 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.
[edit] Awards
Shailendra won the Filmfare Best Lyricist Award three times.
- 1958 Yeh mera deewanapan hai (Yahudi)
- 1959 Sab kuch seekha hamne (Anari)
- 1968 Main gaoon tum so jaao (Brahmchari)
[edit] Shailendra's most popular songs
For filmography please see IMDB entry
- Awara Hoon (Awaara, 1951)
- Ramaiya Vastavaiya (Shri 420)
- Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh (Shri 420)
- Mera Joota Hai Japani (Shri 420)
- 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 (Sangam)
- Dost Dost Na Raha (Sangam)
- Sab Kuchh Seekha hamne (Anari)
- Kisi Ki Muskurahaton Pe/Jeen isi ka naam hai (Anari)
- Dil Ki Nazar Se (Anari)
- Khoya Khoya Chand((kala bazar))
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "Evolution of the hindi film song - part 4". Archived from the original on 2006-07-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20060716100908/http://www.upperstall.com/hindisong4.html. Retrieved 2006-08-26.
- ^ "Shailendra". http://www.hindilyrix.com/lyricists/lyricist-shailendra.html. Retrieved 2006-08-26.
[edit] External links
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