Shyamlal Babu Rai: Shyamlal Babu Rai is the name of one of those great lyricists of Hindi cinema, whose amazing songs are still alive in the minds of people. He touched millions of hearts with his wonderful songs. The world loves and respects him by the name of Indivar. In his long journey of four decades, he wrote more than a thousand evergreen songs for more than 300 films.
Simplicity, depth of emotions and truth of life are so embedded in Indeevar’s words that even today they resonate with freshness. Indeevar’s songs are not just music but an immortal collection of emotions, which will stay with people for generations. The death anniversary of Hindi cinema’s evergreen lyricist Indeevar is on 27th February.
Indeevar: From Struggle to Success
Indivar was born in Barua Sagar town of Jhansi district of Uttar Pradesh. He was interested in poetry and song writing since childhood. During the freedom struggle, he wrote many patriotic songs in the name of Azad. After marriage, he came to Mumbai and went through days full of struggle. In 1946, he wrote songs for the first time for the film Double Face, but the film did not do well.
He got his real recognition in 1951 from the film Malhar, where his song ‘Bade Armaan Se Rakh Hai Balam Teri Kasam’ in Roshan’s music became a superhit. In the year 1963, his song ‘O Narik Ho, Naaz Se Bhi Tum Pyar Se Bhi Pyaari’ in Babubhai Mistry’s film Paras Mani became quite popular. After this his journey did not stop.
Indeevar’s strongest pairing was with composers Kalyanji-Anandji. His songs in Manoj Kumar’s films ‘Upkaar’ and Purab Aur Paschim beautifully weaved the patriotic and social message. Songs like ‘Now you don’t need me’ still make the listeners emotional. Indivar also did wonders in Rakesh Roshan’s films. Songs from films like ‘Kamchor’, ‘Khudgarj’, ‘Khoon Bhari Maang’, ‘Kala Bazaar’, ‘Kishan Kanhaiya’, ‘Karan Arjun’ and ‘Koyla’ won the hearts of the audience.
Immortal song of Indeevar – still alive today
Indeevar also received the Filmfare Award for the song ‘Dil Aisa Kisi Ne Mera Toda’ in Uttam Kumar and Sharmila Tagore’s film Amanush. Indivar was not limited to Hindi films only. He also wrote songs for pop singers Nazia Hasan and Zohaib Hasan. Nazia’s songs like ‘Aap Jaisa Koi’, ‘Boom Boom’, and ‘Chandan Sa Badan’ left a deep impact on the youth.
Indeevar gave immortal songs in dozens of films like Dil Ne Pukara, Saraswati Chandra, Yaadgaar, Safar, Sacha Jhoota, Johnny Mera Naam, Dharmatma, Hera Pheri, Don, Qurbani, Kalakar. There was a unique combination of simplicity and depth in his words. Indeevar left this world on 27 February 1997, but his songs are still alive.
