Today is 92nd birth anniversary of most famous lyricist Shailendra. His full name was Shankardas Kesarilal. He was born in Rawalpandi, on 30 August 1923. He has written several songs which are remembered as the milestones of Indian cinema. He started his career as a apprentice with the Indian Railways. Let's see how he became a lyricist.
The great film maker Raj Kapoor noticed him when he was reading his poem Jalta Hai Punjab in a mushaira. Raj Kapoor asked him to buy his poem for his film Aag. But, Shailendra didn't liked Hindi Cinema so he refused. But, after some time when his wife became pregnant he himself came to Raj Kapoor in search of work. Raj was doing the film Barsaat at that time. He offered Shailendra Rs. 500 to write two songs of the film which were Patli Kamar hai and Barsaat mein. The film became a hit and Shailendra became the permanent lyricist of Raj Kapoor.
The team of Raj Kapoor, Shailendra and Shankar-Jaikishan went on to make several hit songs. The song 'Awara Hoon' from the movie Awara became the most hit song outside India at that time. Here are some most hit songs written by Shailendra:
Awara Hoon- Awara
Ramaiya Vastavaiya- Shri 420
Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh- Shri 420
Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna- Guide
Piya Tose Naina Lage Re- Guide
Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega- Sangam
Dost Dost Na Raha- Sangam
Kisi Ki Muskurahaton- Anari
Pyar Hua Ikrar Hua- Shri 420
Khoya Khoya Chand- Kala Bazaar
Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh- Dil Apna Aur Preet Paraye
