First ever lyricist to win the Dadasaheb Phalke award, Majrooh Sultanpuri was in a league of his own. Seamlessly switching between writing for commercial cinema and ghazals, Majrooh was also a prominent member of the Progressive Writer’s Movement in the pre-independence India.
Born at Nizamabad in 1919 , Majrooh became a trained Hakeem and set up his practice at Sultanpur in 1938. How this Hakeem, whose father was a police constable, became a Gazal writer and thereafter the most prolific and successful lyricist of Bollywood ( Hindi Cinema ) is a brief and interesting story. Jigar Moradaabadi persuaded him here as well.
His career spanning six decades saw some of the finest gems in Hindi cinema. Songs that will continue to live on in our hearts.
In 2013, Government Of India released a special commemorative postage stamp of five rupees in honour of Majrooh Sultanpuri.
Majrooh once said, “It was in 1941 when Jigar sahib heard me in a Mushiara.He was happy.He took me to many mushiaras thereafter.he kept guiding me and told me that I should write only what I feel and never copy style or thought of any other poet. I came to Mumbai in1945 and got offers to write songs for some films.since then I am here and connected with films. In 1947, I joined Progressive Writers Association. Gazal continues to be my favorite medium of expression.”
As a lyricist, he worked successfully with so many music directors from Naushad to Anu Malik and wrote some immortal songs.
Majrooh Saab started his film career with Shah Jehan in 1946. This film starring K.L.Sehgal was directed by Kardar and the music was scored by Naushad. The songs of the film became so immensely popular that K.L. Sehgal wanted ‘Jab Dil Hi Toot Gaya’ to be played at his funeral.
Jab dil hi toot Gaya
One of our all time favourite Majrooh Sultanpuri songs is ‘Pehla Nasha’ from the film ‘Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander’.
