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Once Upon a Time | Music
The case of the
underrated lyricist
Narendra Kusnur writes about the poets who gave us timeless hits, but are
practically forgotten
Most fans of old Hindi film music are aware lyricists who have been recognised only for a
that playback singer Mukesh’s first hit was couple of songs or films. For instance, when
‘Dil Jalta Hai To Jalne De’ from the 1945 film one mentions BR Chopra’s 1982 film Nikaah,
Pehli Nazar. While it is common knowledge where Ravi’s music was very successful,
that the song was composed by the legendary only close aficionados would mention lyricist
Anil Biswas, not many may immediately Hasan Kamaal, though he had huge songs
recollect that it was written by Aah Sitapuri. like ‘Dil Ke Armaan Aansuon Mein Beh Gaye’
And though he had written a few other songs and ‘Dil Ki Ye Aarzoo’. Beyond that film, his
in the 1940s, he was recognised for only this filmography is unknown.
one hit.
The case of J Nakshab was similar. The elusive top rung
Though he penned some songs for both In the history of Hindi film music, some
Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle, he is lyricists have been very prolific and famous.
remembered primarily for Mangeshkar’s There have been others who were immensely
iconic ‘Aayega Aanewala’ composed by talented and have had some successful songs
Khemchand Prakash in the 1949 film but never reached the top rung. One could put
Mahal. And though the song remains Nida Fazli, Gulshan Bawra, Yogesh, Neeraj,
popular till today, and is considered one of Naqsh Lyallpuri and Shahryaar in this
the Nightingale’s greatest tunes ever, later category. All of them had a remarkable body
generations are largely unaware of the of work, yet did far fewer films than some of
lyricist’s name. the big names.
Sitapuri and Nakshab are two examples Though Yogesh had some massive hits in
of extremely talented lyricists with limited Anand, Mili, Rajnigandha, Chhoti Si Baat and
fame. Likewise, there have been many Baton Baton Mein, he had much fewer films
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