Sahir Ludhianvi, the stalwart poet-lyricist, whose work in Hindi films and outside of it dazzled the world of Urdu/Hindi poetry, had passed away on October 25, 1980 in Mumbai. A day ahead of his 43rd death anniversary, here is a brief introduction to Sahir Ludhianvi's life, journey and work, that still keeps him alive in the hearts of people. Sahir Ludhianvi, who earned his fame thanks to the many Hindi film songs he penned, was a poet who was equally capable of writing songs of love as well as poems of revolution that highlighted the flight of the deprived, downtrodden and the 'mazdoor' (worker).
Sahir was born in Punjab's Ludhiana on 8 March 1921
Sahir Ludhianvi was born on March 8, 1921 in a village near Ludhiana in Punjab province. Interestingly, the name he was given at birth was Abdul Hayee. He later adopted Sahir Ludhianvi as his pen name, partly in tribute to the city of his birth, Ludhiana.
A difficult childhood, youth and death
Though Sahir was born to a rich landlord father, he had to spend his childhood in difficult circumstances as his mother, the eleventh wife of Sahir's father, decided to leave her husband. However, Sahir's father fought a case for his custody but finally, when an 8-year-old Sahir testified in the court that he wanted to live with his mother, the court gave Sahir's custody to his mother.
Sahir's initial education was in Punjabi and a teacher named Faiyaz Haryanvi helped him learn Urdu and was also the person who reviewed the first poem written by Sahir.
After schooling, Sahir enrolled in Government College, Ludhiana and became quite popular for reciting sher and nazm (Urdu poetry and couplets). However, Sahil could not complete his degree and never managed to. He also lived in Lahore for some time, but after partition in 1949, returned to Delhi and then settled in Mumbai, where he passed away on October 25, 1980. Sahir never married and his love story with Punjabi writer Amrita Pritam is part of the literary folklore.
Famous works
Sahir Ludhianvi earned great fame thanks to the songs he penned for Hindi movies. Foremost among his works are songs of film "Pyaas", "Kabhi Kabhi", "Woh Subah Kabhi To Ayegi", "Mai Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya" and among others. "Aao ki koi khwaab bunein" (Come let's weave a dream) and "Talkhiyaan" (bitterness) are his famous works outside of songwriting.
