On October 25, 1980, barely three months after legendary singer Mohammed Rafi’s death, Indian music lost another hero. Sahir Ludhianvi, one of the best known lyricists, succumbed to sudden cardiac arrest.
The two had some memorable songs together, four of which feature on this list of Sahir songs we chose to mark his 41st death anniversary. Like the rest of the songs, they capture varied emotions, displaying the writer’s versatility.
This also is Sahir’s birth centenary year – a landmark reached on March 8. While he wrote numerous great songs and poems, this is a random selection from among his best, in chronological order.
1 Thandi Hawayein – Naujawan (1951)
Sahir’s first big hit was sung by Lata Mangeshkar, with Nalini Jaywant and Premnath on screen. Apparently, S.D. Burman created the tune after hearing a piano player at a Mumbai hotel and improvising on what he heard. The lyrics were, “Thandi hawayein, lehra ke aaye, rut hai jawaan, tumko yahaan, kaise bulayen”.
2 Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaaye – Pyaasa (1957)
Guru Dutt’s Pyaasa was one of the high points of Sahir’s career. It also marked the last collaboration between him and Dada Burman. The mood of the songs varied from the romantic and comic to the serious and hard-hitting, but this one impressed with its sheer depth. With Guru Dutt on screen, Mohammed Rafi sang, “Yeh mahalon, yeh takhton, yeh taajon ki duniya, yeh insaan ke dushman, samaajon ki duniya, yeh daulat ke bhookhe rawaajon ki duniya, yeh duniya agar mil bhi jaaye toh kya hai”?
3 Yeh Desh Hai Veer Jawaanon Ka – Naya Daur (1957)
Featuring a Punjabi folk dance, the patriotic song was picturised on Dilip Kumar and Ajit. O.P. Nayyar’s composition was sung by Rafi and Balbir. The opening lines were, “Yeh desh hai veer jawaanon ka, albelon ka mastaanon ka, is desh ka yaaron kya kehna, yeh desh hai duniya ka gehna”. The song had some brilliant choreography.
4 Woh Subah Kabhi Toh Aayegi – Phir Subah Hogi (1958)
Here, Sahir began with a single line, “Woh subah kabhi toh aayegi”, expressing hope in the simplest form. The line remains relevant even today. Composed by Khayyam, it was sung by Mukesh and Asha Bhosle, and filmed on Raj Kapoor and Mala Sinha. Originally, Shankar-Jaikishen were considered for the score, and had that happened, they may have teamed up with their regulars Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri. Khayyam was selected because of his understanding of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s book Crime & Punishment, on which it was based. The rest is history.
5 Tu Hindu Banega Na Musalman – Dhool Ka Phool (1959)
Often described as the anthem of harmony, this song by Rafi spread the message that humanity came above religion. Picturised on Manmohan Krishna and a child, it was composed by N. Dutta. Sahir wrote, “Tu Hindu banega na Mussalman banega, insaan ki aulad hai insaan banega”. The film also had the Mahendra Kapoor-Lata hit ‘Tere Pyaar Ka Aasra Chahta Hoon’.
6 Allah Tero Naam – Hum Dono (1961)
In continuing with the theme of communal harmony, this bhajan by Lata was one of Sahir’s most moving creations. Composed by Jaidev, it had the lines, “Allah tero naam, ishwar tero naam, sabko sanmati de bhagwan”. Actress Nanda appeared in a congregation. The film also had other Sahir gems like ‘Abhi Na Jaao’ and ‘Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhaata Chala Gaya”.
7 Chalo Ik Baar Phir Se – Gumrah (1963)
This was considered to be one of Sahir’s best and he used a single line in the mukhda – “Chalo ik baar phir se ajnabee ban jaaye hum dono”. Sung by Mahendra Kapoor, it was composed by Ravi. Sunil Dutt, Ashok Kumar and Mala Sinha appeared on screen. The song was said to be inspired by Sahir’s real-life association with poet Amrita Pritam, later captured in the Shekhar Suman-Deepti Naval play Ek Mulaqat.
8 Jo Baat Tujh Mein Hai – Taj Mahal (1963)
Sahir formed a great team with music director Roshan. After Barsaat Ki Raat and Dil Hi To Hai, they did Taj Mahal. On this song, Rafi sang, “Jo baat tujh mein hai teri tasveer mein nahin”, with Pradeep Kumar and Bina Rai appearing on screen. Again, the mukhda was in one line. The film also had the hits ‘Jo Vaada Kiya Woh’ and ‘Paaon Choo Lene Do’.
9 Mere Dil Mein Aaj Kya Hai – Daag (1973)
In the early 1970s, Kishore Kumar sang many successful songs for Rajesh Khanna. While Anand Bakshi wrote a large chunk of them, Sahir’s work in Daag became popular too. Music was composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal, and in this romantic song, the lyrics were, “Mere dil mein aaj kya hai, tu kahe toh main bata doon, teri zulf phir sawaaroon, teri maang phir sajaa doon”. Sharmila Tagore was the co-star.
10 Kabhi Kabhie Mere Dil Mein – Kabhi Kabhie (1976)
Though most people know this song for its film version featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Raakhee and Shashi Kapoor, it was actually adapted from an old nazm written by Sahir. Sung by Mukesh and Lata, it was composed by Khayyam. The film began with ‘Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar Hoon’, said to be inspired by Sahir’s own life, art and thoughts.
Like many of Sahir’s other memorable songs, what’s evident in these 10 songs is the depth they possess. Songs like ‘Woh Subah Kabhi Toh Aayegi’, ‘Tu Hindu Banega Na Musalman’ and ‘Allah Tero Naam’ remain relevant even today. Even stylistically, he didn’t stick the rhyming patterns most lyricists focused on, using single-line intros or free verse often. He had his own style, created by a unique thought process.
