Sahir Ludhianvi: Poet and Film Lyricist
ساحر لدھیانوی
Updated
Sahir Ludhianvi (ساحر لدھیانوی, 1921–1980) was a progressive Urdu poet who became one of the greatest lyricists of Hindi cinema. Through his songs, poetry of social conscience and bitter romance reached millions who never opened a book of verse.
Life
Sahir was born Abdul Hayee in Ludhiana, Punjab, on 8 March 1921. His first collection, Talkhiyan (Bitternesses, 1945), made his name. After Partition he lived briefly in Lahore but returned to India in 1949 and settled in Bombay. He received the Padma Shri in 1971. His friendship with the Punjabi poet Amrita Pritam is one of the famous literary stories of the subcontinent. He died in Bombay on 25 October 1980.
Poetry and songs
His poem Taj Mahal, which sees in the monument the exploitation of the poor, is among the best-known progressive nazms. In films he wrote the songs of Pyaasa (1957), Hum Dono, Kabhi Kabhie and many more, winning Filmfare awards for Taj Mahal (1964) and Kabhi Kabhie (1977). He also fought for lyricists to be credited and paid royalties. His work is still under copyright, so we describe rather than quote it.
Questions and answers
What was Sahir Ludhianvi's real name?
Abdul Hayee. Sahir, meaning magician, was his pen-name.
Which films did Sahir Ludhianvi write songs for?
Many, including Pyaasa, Hum Dono, Taj Mahal and Kabhi Kabhie.
More guides
- Faiz Ahmad Faiz: Poet of Love and Revolution · The poet who made the ghazal's language of love speak for justice.
- What Is a Nazm? The Urdu Nazm from Nazir to Free Verse · The titled, single-subject Urdu poem, from rhymed stanzas to free verse.
- The Great Urdu Poets: From Wali and Mir to Faiz and Faraz · Three centuries of Urdu poetry in one list, with where to read each poet.