In my college, everyone knew Sahir Ludhianvi’s poems by heart: Javed Akhtar

Late legendary lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi’s poetry casts a spell even today. And the long list of his admirers include his former associate lyricist-screenwriter Javed Akhtar. Recently, in the Capital to launch the book Sahir Samagra, a collection of Sahir Ludhianvi’s writings, Javed said, “Sahir had the charisma and the X factor. His poetry had an emotional depth that surpassed standards.”

“Aisa, kyun hota hai, ki duniya mein bahut se actors hai, lekin ek actor heartthrob ho jaata hai. Aise hi kuch painters aise hai, jinka naam aisa ho gaya, jinki paintings, mein jaadu dikhaayi deta hai. Aise hi writers aur poets hote hai. Aise hi shayar hai, lekin kuch shayar aise hote hai ki, unme jaadu hota hai,” Javed said about the Padma Shri awardee.

The late poet rose to fame with songs such as Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya (film Hum Dono, 1961), Neele Gagan Ke Tale (film Hamraaz, 1967). “He was a famous poet even before he wrote songs for films, but his popularity soared after he wrote songs for films. In my college days, every girl and boy knew Sahir’s poetry. Unhone woh gaane, utni hi zimmedaari, lagan aur imaandari se likhe(He wrote the songs with same determination and will as he wrote his poetry). If you recite his songs with without singing it, aap bolenge ki kya shayeri hai,” he says.

Akhtar also observed that the nature is absent from the contemporary songs. “Sahir used nature in songs in a way that romance was not just between the boy and the girl, but the whole universe was involved,” he added, “Aaj kal ke geeton mei, nature nahi hoti ...chaand, sitaare, nadi..Nature bilkul bahar ho gayi hai.”