When I heard this song, “Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shaayar Hoon” and these lines, “Kal aur aayenge nagmon ki
Khilti kaliya chunne waale
Mujhse behtar kehne waale
Tumse behtar sunne waale!”
I used to think how true! Well, Sahir Ludhianvi was wrong on that account. We don’t have a genius like you till now. What lies in the womb of future, no one knows.
Recently I read this:
Zapping through television channels a few days back, I came across a programme on Urdu poet and Hindi film lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi, on a channel called E24.
The reason for suddenly remembering Sahir, nearly three decades after his death, was his 88th birth anniversary. He was born on March 8, 1921.
The programme showed the bad state of Sahir’s flats in this building called Parchaiyan that he had got built after demolishing a bungalow of the same name that stood on the same plot.
The camera panned into his flat which is in a state of absolute disrepair. There were dead pigoens lying all around and cobwebs all over the place. Most of his books and writings have been sold off as raddi. And of what remains, a majority have been eaten by termites. So many years of hard work, sold for a few rupees more or just turned into dust. How criminal.
Well, we are like this. Its our national trait. That’s how we treat our legends. Please bear with us Sahir Ludhianvi sahib and if possible forgive us. You are DEFINITELY NOT, “Pal Do Pal Ka Shaayar” but “Har Eak Pal Ka Shaayar.”
I would like to believe that there are people who would have ensured that the works of art were not neglected as reported.
You commented about the “Pal Do Pal Ka Shaayar” part, what about the “Tumse behtar sunne waale”?
That’s one lovely song,Alka….And,what a pity that geniuses like Sahir Saahab are recognized only as long as they’re alive and/or actively into the film line.
—
But then,you know- in India,and even here,I feel-human life has very little value.
I strongly feel Alka that such classic artists or their artworks do not require any lendings from TV Channels or even any awards. Such melodies in this case stay forever green in the hearts of people. Thats very true that TV and FM have neglected oldies goldies, but personal collections and thanks to AIR they are still in the air. I desperately miss black n whities on TV and have to buy DVD’s. I think we need a dedicated channel for such classics. Lets plan one 🙂
Very sad indeed to hear that. Economic and social development has happened at the cost of gratitude and nobility. I think Sahir saab was indeed a visionary to have written ‘Mein pal do pal ka sayar hoon”. Though he is far from that, but that is the way we have treated him
I am first time in your blog..i think you are good thinker. keep it up!! I am not very good in this language but i will try my level best to read and understand your posts..THANK YOU.
I am first time in your blog..i think you are good thinker. keep it up
regd
pawan dwivedi