Reluctant lyricist Majrooh, lives on in memory

What could be more satisfying for a poet-writer than the world know him better by his nom de plume than his actual name?

The name Asrar-ul-Hasan Khan may not ring a bell but say Majrooh Sultanpuri and immediately eyes light up in anticipation of Urdu poetry that touches the core of one’s being. Had he been alive, he and the world would have celebrated his 100th birthday on October 1.

In his career in the Hindi film industry, spanning six decades, he wrote songs for pre-independence era legend Kundan Lal Sehgal as also those picturised on Aamir Khan. Who can forget his first song – ‘Jab dil hi toot gaya’, in 1946, sung by Sehgal? Today’s generation still cherishes his song ‘Papa Kehthe Hain’ (‘Qamayat Se Qamayat Tak’ - 1988) picturised on Aamir Khan.

He was known for his versatility, as playful, romantic, melancholic, philosophical songs flowed forth from his pen; each one better than the last, all immortal.

Youth and the Lucknow connection

Born in Uttar Pradesh’s Sultanpur on October 1, 1919, his journey from a Sultanpur boy to a lyricist, who had an entire nation humming his words, has many twists and turns.

Young Asrar was admitted to a madrasa and after completing his education he joined Takmeel-e-Tib college of Unani medicine in Lucknow and became a hakeem (physician) and began practising.

The struggling hakeem decided to be a full-time poet once he came in contact with veteran poet Jigar Moradabadi.

Majorooh was also associated with the Progressive Writers’ Movement which began in Lucknow in 1935. He was one of few giants of Urdu poetry associated with the movement. Majrooh (wounded) used his poetry to highlight the pain of the people.

The journey begins

Majrooh Sultanpuri was a reluctant entrant to the Hindi film world. In 1945, Majrooh visited Mumbai for a mushaira where his poetry was much appreciated. One impressed listener was film producer AR Kardar. He contacted Jigar Moradabadi and put him in touch with Majrooh. However, Majrooh refused to write for films because he didn’t think very highly of them. But Jigar persuaded him, saying that films would help Majrooh support his family.

Kardar then took him to music composer Naushad, who put the young writer to test. He gave Majrooh a tune and asked him to write something in the same metre, and Majrooh wrote ‘Jab Usne Gesu Bikhraye, Badal Aaye Jhoom Ke’. Naushad liked it and Majrooh was signed on as the lyricist for ‘Shahjehan’ (1946).

Jailed too

In 1949, Majorooh was jailed for his rebellious poetry which he recited at a rally in Mumbai, criticising the decision of then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru to include India in the group of Commonwealth Nations.

Aman ka jhanda is dharti pe, Kisney kaha lahrane na paye, Ye bhi koi Hitler ka hai chela, Maar le sathi, jane na paye! Commonwealth ka daas hai Nehru, Maar le sathi, jane na paye! (Such unease with our flag of peace! He is some protege of Hitler, a slave of the Commonwealth is Nehru. Friends, take him by the collar lest he gets away).

Majrooh was arrested and asked to apologise, but he refused and was sentenced to two years in prison.

Even after his release, Majrooh did not disown his rebellious streak and went on writing thought-provoking poems. He penned songs for at least 350 films, which were set to music by legends like Naushad. He not only won awards but continues to win hearts-whenever songs like ‘Ek ladki bheegi bhaagi si’ or love songs like ‘Chura liya hai tumne’ are played.

Majrooh won his only Filmfare Best Lyricist Award for the song ‘Chahunga Main Tujhe Saanjh Savere’ from the film ‘Dosti’. He was the first lyricist to be awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1993. He died in Mumbai in 2000 following a protracted illness due to a lung infection and pneumonia.