Biography
Sahir Ludhianvi was born on March 8th, 1921 in Karimpura locality in Ludhiana, Punjab. His real name was Abdul Hayee (alternate spellings Haie or Hayi). He was born in a wealthy family of zamindars. His grandfather's name was Fateh Mohammad and his father's name was Fazal Mohammad. In 1934, when Sahir was 13 years old, his father re-married. His mother, Sardar Begum, who was Kashmiri, took a bold step and decided to divorce her husband, forfeiting all claims. Sahir's father sued for custody but lost. He threatened Sahir's life and Sahir's mother had to keep him under constant watch. So Sahir's formative years were spent in fear and financial straits.
Sahir did his schooling from Khalsa High School in Ludhiana. He was considered a good, hard-working student. He learnt Urdu and Farsi from Maulana Faryaz Haryanvi. After matriculation, he joined S. C. Dhawan Government College for Boys in Ludhiana from where he was expelled. Unconfirmed rumors indicate this was for sitting on the Principal's lawn with a female class-mate. After being expelled, in 1943, Sahir moved to Lahore where he joined Dayal Singh College. Here, he got his first taste of success. He was elected president of the Student Federation and it was here that he published his first book of poems, Talkhiyaan [pronounced tal-Khi-yaaN] (Bitterness) in 1945 while still a student.
In 1948, Sahir started work as editor for Shaahkaar and Savera. He also published Shaahraah from Delhi and did some editorial work for "preet kii laDi"/"Prithlari", all of which were successful. He also became a member of the Progressive Writers' Association. Soon, however, his inflammatory writings in Savera resulted in the Government of Pakistan issuing a warrant for his arrest. So, Sahir fled to Delhi but after a couple of months, moved to Bombay (present day Mumbai).
Sahir made his debut as a lyricist with the film "Azadi Ki Raah Par" in 1948. The film had four songs written by him. His first song was "badal rahii hai zindagii". However, it was the year 1951 that would bring him fame and recognition. Two films, released in 1951, had songs that sky-rocketed in popularity and are hummed even today. First was "ThanDii hawaayeN lehraa ke aayeN" from Naujawan. The second was a landmark film, marking the directorial debut of Guru Dutt - Baazi. Both films, coincidentally, had music by S. D. Burman.
Sahir had a long and successful career as a lyricist and worked with most music directors in the 50s and 60s including Roshan, Madan Mohan, Khaiyyam, Ravi, S. D. Burman and N. Dutta. He was an integral part of Guru Dutt's team and along with S. D. Burman, gave numerous hits. His work with Roshan resulted in fabulous music for several period films, including Taj Mahal for which he won his first Filmfare award for Best Lyricist. In the 70s, most of his work was for Yash Chopra films but the paucity of films certainly did not diminish the quality of his writings and he won his second Filmfare award for Best Lyricist for Kabhie Kabhie in 1976. He was also awarded the Padmashri by the government of India in 1971.
On October 25th, 1980, Sahir Ludhianvi succumbed to a massive heart-attack. He was buried in the Juhu cemetery but in 2010, his tomb was demolished to make space for new burials. He died a bachelor. His popularity, undiminished more than thirty years after his death, belies his own lines from Kabhie Kabhie:
Sahir did his schooling from Khalsa High School in Ludhiana. He was considered a good, hard-working student. He learnt Urdu and Farsi from Maulana Faryaz Haryanvi. After matriculation, he joined S. C. Dhawan Government College for Boys in Ludhiana from where he was expelled. Unconfirmed rumors indicate this was for sitting on the Principal's lawn with a female class-mate. After being expelled, in 1943, Sahir moved to Lahore where he joined Dayal Singh College. Here, he got his first taste of success. He was elected president of the Student Federation and it was here that he published his first book of poems, Talkhiyaan [pronounced tal-Khi-yaaN] (Bitterness) in 1945 while still a student.
In 1948, Sahir started work as editor for Shaahkaar and Savera. He also published Shaahraah from Delhi and did some editorial work for "preet kii laDi"/"Prithlari", all of which were successful. He also became a member of the Progressive Writers' Association. Soon, however, his inflammatory writings in Savera resulted in the Government of Pakistan issuing a warrant for his arrest. So, Sahir fled to Delhi but after a couple of months, moved to Bombay (present day Mumbai).
Sahir made his debut as a lyricist with the film "Azadi Ki Raah Par" in 1948. The film had four songs written by him. His first song was "badal rahii hai zindagii". However, it was the year 1951 that would bring him fame and recognition. Two films, released in 1951, had songs that sky-rocketed in popularity and are hummed even today. First was "ThanDii hawaayeN lehraa ke aayeN" from Naujawan. The second was a landmark film, marking the directorial debut of Guru Dutt - Baazi. Both films, coincidentally, had music by S. D. Burman.
Sahir had a long and successful career as a lyricist and worked with most music directors in the 50s and 60s including Roshan, Madan Mohan, Khaiyyam, Ravi, S. D. Burman and N. Dutta. He was an integral part of Guru Dutt's team and along with S. D. Burman, gave numerous hits. His work with Roshan resulted in fabulous music for several period films, including Taj Mahal for which he won his first Filmfare award for Best Lyricist. In the 70s, most of his work was for Yash Chopra films but the paucity of films certainly did not diminish the quality of his writings and he won his second Filmfare award for Best Lyricist for Kabhie Kabhie in 1976. He was also awarded the Padmashri by the government of India in 1971.
On October 25th, 1980, Sahir Ludhianvi succumbed to a massive heart-attack. He was buried in the Juhu cemetery but in 2010, his tomb was demolished to make space for new burials. He died a bachelor. His popularity, undiminished more than thirty years after his death, belies his own lines from Kabhie Kabhie:
kal aur aayenge naGmoN kii khilatii kaliyaaN chunanewaale
mujhe se behtar kahane waale, tum se behtar sunane waale
kal ko_ii mujh ko yaad kare, kyooN ko_ii mujh ko yaad kare
masroof zamaanaa mere liye, kyooN waqt apanaa barbaad kare
mujhe se behtar kahane waale, tum se behtar sunane waale
kal ko_ii mujh ko yaad kare, kyooN ko_ii mujh ko yaad kare
masroof zamaanaa mere liye, kyooN waqt apanaa barbaad kare
Talkhiyaan
duniyaa ne tajurbaat-o-havaadis kii shakl meN
jo kuchh mujhe diyaa hai wo lauTaa rahaa hooN maiN
jo kuchh mujhe diyaa hai wo lauTaa rahaa hooN maiN
About The Book
Talkhiyaan was Sahir's first book of poems, published in 1945, while he was still a student in Lahore. The book became very popular and Sahir was hailed as an up and coming poet at the time. Other than 20+ editions in Urdu and 12+ in Hindi as well as reprints in other Indian languages, it has also been translated into many international languages including English, Russian, Arabic, Persian and Czech.
Sahir's Preface To The Twelfth Edition
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Contents
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Contents - Alphabetical Listing
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Publisher Information
Hindi Book Center
4/5B, Asif Ali Road
New Delhi110 002
Talkhiyaan was Sahir's first book of poems, published in 1945, while he was still a student in Lahore. The book became very popular and Sahir was hailed as an up and coming poet at the time. Other than 20+ editions in Urdu and 12+ in Hindi as well as reprints in other Indian languages, it has also been translated into many international languages including English, Russian, Arabic, Persian and Czech.
Sahir's Preface To The Twelfth Edition
Coming Soon
Contents
Coming Soon
Contents - Alphabetical Listing
Coming Soon
Publisher Information
Hindi Book Center
4/5B, Asif Ali Road
New Delhi110 002
Aao Ki Koyi Khwaab Bune
Khwaabon ke aasre pe kaTii hai tamaam umr
About The Book
Aao Ki Koyi Khwaab Bune is a compilation of nazms written by Sahir Ludhianvi. It was published in 1971 and earned many awards, notable among them being the Soviet Land Nehru award, Urdu Academy award and Maharashtra State award.
Publisher's Note
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Contents
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Contents - Alphabetical Listing
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Publisher Information
Hindi Book Center
4/5B, Asif Ali Road
New Delhi110 002
Aao Ki Koyi Khwaab Bune is a compilation of nazms written by Sahir Ludhianvi. It was published in 1971 and earned many awards, notable among them being the Soviet Land Nehru award, Urdu Academy award and Maharashtra State award.
Publisher's Note
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Contents
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Contents - Alphabetical Listing
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Publisher Information
Hindi Book Center
4/5B, Asif Ali Road
New Delhi110 002
Gaata Jaaye Banjaara
bastii bastii parbat parbat gaataa jaaye banjaaraa
lekar dil kaa iktaaraa
lekar dil kaa iktaaraa
About The Book
Gaata Jaaye Banjaara is a compilation of film songs penned by Sahir. The criteria for selection, per Sahir's own admission, was not just the popularity of the songs but the social and political messages they convey.
Sahir's Preface To The 1st Edition
un sabhii kalaakaaroN ke naam jinhoN in geetoN ke liye
apanii aawaazeN, apanii dhuneN aur apane chehare diye!
Coming Soon
Contents
Coming Soon
Contents - Alphabetical Listing
Coming Soon
Publisher Information
Hindi Book Center
4/5B, Asif Ali Road
New Delhi110 002
Gaata Jaaye Banjaara is a compilation of film songs penned by Sahir. The criteria for selection, per Sahir's own admission, was not just the popularity of the songs but the social and political messages they convey.
Sahir's Preface To The 1st Edition
un sabhii kalaakaaroN ke naam jinhoN in geetoN ke liye
apanii aawaazeN, apanii dhuneN aur apane chehare diye!
Coming Soon
Contents
Coming Soon
Contents - Alphabetical Listing
Coming Soon
Publisher Information
Hindi Book Center
4/5B, Asif Ali Road
New Delhi110 002
Books on Sahir Ludhianvi
Sahir Ki Shaayari compiled by Amar Dehlvi
Hardcover, 144 pages, Publication Year - 1994
Publisher: Hindi Book Center, 4/5B, Asaf Ali Road, New Delhi110 002
Sahir Ludhianvi Aur Unki Shaayari compiled by Prakash Pandit
Hardcover, 100 pages, Publication year - 1995
Publisher: Rajpal and Sons, 1590 Madarsa Road, Kashmiri Gate, Delhi 110 006
Sahir Ludhianvi Ke Hit Filmi Geet compiled by Kumud Rastogi
Paperback, 157 pages, Publication Year - 1980
Publisher: Diamond Pocket Books, 2715 Daryaganj, Delhi 110 002
Kuliyaat-e-Sahir Ludhianvi compiled by Najma Khatoon
Paperback, 256 pages, Publication Year - 2004
Publisher: Saral Prakashan, New Delhi 110 002
Poems of Sahir Ludhianvi with English translations by Khwaja Tariq Mahmood
Hardcover, 280 pages, Publication Year - 2000
Publisher: Star Publications Pvt. Ltd., 4/5 Asaf Ali Road, New Delhi 110 002
Life and Love of Sahir Ludhianvi by Anoop Sandhu
Chetna Prakashan
Jaag Uthe Khwab Kayi (Hindi) by Sahir Ludhianvi
Paperback, Publication Year - 2010
Publisher: Penguin Books India Pvt. Ltd.
Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shaayar Hoon by Sahir Ludhianvi
Hardcover, Publication Year - 2011
Publisher: Star Publications (Pvt.) Ltd., 4/5 Asaf Ali Road, New Delhi 110 002
Sahir Ludhianavi Hit Filmi Geet (Hindi) by Ganga Prasad
Paperback, Publication Year - 2005
Publisher: Manoj Publications
Hardcover, 144 pages, Publication Year - 1994
Publisher: Hindi Book Center, 4/5B, Asaf Ali Road, New Delhi110 002
Sahir Ludhianvi Aur Unki Shaayari compiled by Prakash Pandit
Hardcover, 100 pages, Publication year - 1995
Publisher: Rajpal and Sons, 1590 Madarsa Road, Kashmiri Gate, Delhi 110 006
Sahir Ludhianvi Ke Hit Filmi Geet compiled by Kumud Rastogi
Paperback, 157 pages, Publication Year - 1980
Publisher: Diamond Pocket Books, 2715 Daryaganj, Delhi 110 002
Kuliyaat-e-Sahir Ludhianvi compiled by Najma Khatoon
Paperback, 256 pages, Publication Year - 2004
Publisher: Saral Prakashan, New Delhi 110 002
Poems of Sahir Ludhianvi with English translations by Khwaja Tariq Mahmood
Hardcover, 280 pages, Publication Year - 2000
Publisher: Star Publications Pvt. Ltd., 4/5 Asaf Ali Road, New Delhi 110 002
Life and Love of Sahir Ludhianvi by Anoop Sandhu
Chetna Prakashan
Jaag Uthe Khwab Kayi (Hindi) by Sahir Ludhianvi
Paperback, Publication Year - 2010
Publisher: Penguin Books India Pvt. Ltd.
Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shaayar Hoon by Sahir Ludhianvi
Hardcover, Publication Year - 2011
Publisher: Star Publications (Pvt.) Ltd., 4/5 Asaf Ali Road, New Delhi 110 002
Sahir Ludhianavi Hit Filmi Geet (Hindi) by Ganga Prasad
Paperback, Publication Year - 2005
Publisher: Manoj Publications
Sahir Ludhianvi on the Web
Websites, web pages and articles on Sahir Ludhianvi
Sahir's poetry at Urdu Poetry Archive
Sunil Bhatt's Sahir Blog
Binu Nair's tribute to Sahir on www.mohdrafi.com
Utthara Kumari's tribute to Sahir/Pyaasa on mohdrafi.com
H. K. L. Sachdeva's blog on Sahir
Blog at SahirLudhianvi.com
Sahir's songs on Giitaayan
Article on Sahir
Sahir on Urduworld Forum
Sahir on Wikipedia
Sahir's songs on Saregama
Sahir Ludhianvi vis-a-vis Stephen Gill - A Study
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Sahir's poetry at Urdu Poetry Archive
Sunil Bhatt's Sahir Blog
Binu Nair's tribute to Sahir on www.mohdrafi.com
Utthara Kumari's tribute to Sahir/Pyaasa on mohdrafi.com
H. K. L. Sachdeva's blog on Sahir
Blog at SahirLudhianvi.com
Sahir's songs on Giitaayan
Article on Sahir
Sahir on Urduworld Forum
Sahir on Wikipedia
Sahir's songs on Saregama
Sahir Ludhianvi vis-a-vis Stephen Gill - A Study
.
