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Shankardas Kesarilal Shailendra (August 30, 1923 - December 14, 1966), popularly known as Shailendra, was a popular Indian Hindi lyricist.

Early days

Shailendra was born in Rawalpindi in British India, to Kesarilal and Parvati Devi. He was eldest of their four sons. When he was a child, his family moved to Mathura. Soon after, his mother died.

He also went by the name of Akshay.

Career as a lyricist

Shailendra started his career as an employee with Indian Railways. His job brought him to Mumbai (then Bombay) in 1947. He started writing poetry during these days. Once, when he was reading out his poem Jalta hai Punjab at a public meeting, filmmaker Raj Kapoor noticed him. He offered to buy poems written by Shailendra and use them for his movie Aag (1948). Shailendra, a member of the left wing IPTA, was wary of mainstream Indian cinema and refused. However, after the birth of his son, Shaily, he needed money and himself approached Raj Kapoor.

Shailendra's first project for Raj Kapoor was the movie Barsaat (1949). For Rs 500, he wrote two songs: Patli kamar hai and Barsaat mein. The music for Barsaat was composed by Shankar-Jaikishan. The team of Raj Kapoor, Shailendra and Shankar-Jaikishan produced many superhits.

In the days when composers would recommend lyricists to producers. Shankar-Jaikishan had promised Shailendra that they would recommend him around, but didn't keep their promise. Shailendra sent them a note with the lines, "Chhoti Si Yeh Duniya Pehchaane Raaste Hain Kahin To Miloge Phir Poochhenge Haal". Shankar-Jaikishan realized what the message meant and having said sorry, turned the lines into a well-known song.

Apart from Shankar-Jaikishan, Shailendra also shared a rapport with composers such as Salil Chowdhary (Madhumati), Sachin Dev Burman ( Guide, Bandini, Kala Bazaar), and Ravi Shankar (Anuradha). Apart from Raj Kapoor, he shared a rapport with filmmakers such as Bimal Roy (Do Bigha Zameen, Madhumati, Bandini) and Dev Anand (Guide).

Shailendra had invested in the movie Teesri Kasam, which was not successful. It is said that this was the ultimate cause of his death.. His son Shaily Shailendra is also a lyricist.

Awards

Shailendra won the Filmfare Best Lyricist Award thee times.

• 1958 Yeh mera deewanapan hai (Yahudi)
• 1959 Sab kuch seekha hamne (Anari)
• 1968 Main gaoon tum so jaao ( Brahmchari)

Shailendra's most popular songs

For filmography please see IMDB entry

• Ramaiya Vastavaiya (Shri 420)
• Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh (Shri 420)
• Mera Joota Hai Japani (Shri 420)
• Aaj Phir Jeene Ki (Guide)
• Gata Rahe Mera Dil (Guide)
• Piya Tose Naina Laage Re (Guide)
• Kya Se Kya Ho Gaya (Guide)
• Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega (Sangam)
• Dost Dost Na Raha (Sangam)
• Sab Kuchh Seekha hamne (Anari)
• Kisi Ki Muskurahaton Pe/Jeen isi ka naam hai (Anari)
• Dil Ki Nazar Se (Anari)
• Khoya Khoya Chand((kala bazar))

References

1. "Evolution of the hindi film song - part 4". Retrieved 2006-08-26.
2. "Shailendra". Retrieved 2006-08-26.

Also see

• Sad Hindi songs
• Bollywood songs

External links

• Shailendra at IMDb

• Indian songwriters
• 1923 births
• 1966 deaths
• People from Mathura