Legendary poet Rajendra Krishan was one of the most successful song writers and screenwriters of Hindi films. Along with Shailendra, Majrooh, Shakeel, and Saahir, he formed the "Golden Fifer" of the golden era, which came from a literary background and took film writing to unprecedented heights. He wrote the songs for iconic films like Albela, Anarkali, Chhaya, Jahan Ara, Padosan, Khandan, Intaquam, and many more.
Rajendra Krishan, also known as Rajinder Krishan Duggal, was born on June 6, 1919, in Jalalpur, Jattan, now in Pakistan. He was very fond of reading literature from his school days. It was during this period that Krishan's affinity for poetry blossomed. He started his professional career as a clerk in the municipal office in the scenic town of Simla until 1942. During this period, he immersed himself in the works of both eastern and western authors, drawing inspiration from the Urdu poetry of Firaq Gorakhpuri and Ahsan Danish, as well as the Hindi poems of Pant, Nirala, and many more. He also started writing in literary journals and news papers.
In the mid-1940s, Krishan moved to Bombay to try his luck in films. His debut as a screenwriter was with the Ram Prakash-directed "Janta" in 1947. He also wrote the lyrics for "Janta," followed by Kishore Sharma's "Zanjeer," "Aaj Ki Raat (1948)," "Pugree (1948)," "Bapu Ki Amar Kahani (1948)," and "Pyar Ki Jeet (1949)," which brought him into the limelight.
Following the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, Krishan penned the iconic song "Suno Suno Aye Duniyawalon, Bapu Ki Yeh Amar Kahani," which was sung by Mohammed Rafi and composed by Husnlal Bhagatram, resonating deeply with the sentiments of a nation in mourning.
Rajendra Krishan's most famous collaboration was with C. Ramchandra; they worked extensively with each other and gave each other numerous iconic numbers. One of their most famous works was "Albela (1951)," which has songs like "Bholi Surat Dil Ke Khote," "Dheere Se Aa ja Ri," "Kismat Ki Hawa Kabhi Naram Kabhi Garam," "Shola Jo Bhadke Dil Mera Dhadke," "Shaam Dhale Khidki Tale," and many more.
His other hits in his early career include "Kyon Le Chala Hai Ae Dil" in Aaj Ki Raat, "Tere Nainon Ne Chori Kiya," "Ek dil ke tukde hazar hue koi," and "O door Jaane wale," in Pyar Ki Jeet, "Yaad Aa Raha Hai Dil Ko" in Amar Kahani, "Chup Chup Khade Ho Zaroor Koi Baat Hai" from the film 'Badi Behan' (1949), "Mere Piya Gaye Rangoon" in Patanga, "Gore Gore O Baanke Chhore" and "Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja" in Samadhi, in Albela, "Saiyan Dil Mein Aana Re" in Bahar, "Jhukti Hai Duniya Jhukaane Wala Chahiye" in Sagai, "Main Paagal Mera Manva Paagal" in Ashiana, "Main Apne Dil Ka Afsana Suna Loon" in Ghunghroo, "Dil Mein Sama Gaye Sajan" and "Yeh Hawa Yeh Raat Yeh Chandni" in Sangdil and many more.
In 1953, he penned songs for "Anarkali" like "Jaag Dard-E-Ishq Jaag," "Mohabbat Mein Aise Kadam Dagmagaaye," "Yeh Zindagi Usi Ki Hai," etc. His next big success was "Nagin" in 1954, where he wrote "Jaadugar Saiyan Chhod Mori Baiyan," "Man Dole Mera Tan Dole," "Mera Dil Yeh Pukare Aaja," and "Tere Dwar Khada Ek Jogi," which are still remembered fondly.
He then wrote for films like "Pehli Jhalak," "Shart," "Azad," "Insaniyat," "Lagan," "Anjaan," "Bhai Bhai," "Devta," "Durgesh Nndini," "Heer," "Mem Sahib," "Pocket Maar," "Asha," "Baarish," "Bandi," "Bhabhi," "Champakali," "Dekh Kabira Roya," "Gateway Of India," "Miss India," "Miss Mary," "Payal," "Samunder," "Sharada," "Talaash," "Amar Deep," "Chandan," "Jailor," "Khazanchi," "Barkha," "Jawani Ki Hawa," "Kangan," "Bahana," "Bindiya," "College Girl," "Duniya Jhukti Hai," "Love In Simla," "Maa Baap," "Patang," "Nazrana," "Suhaag Sindoor," etc.
One of his most distiguished films is the 1958 Nargis starrer "Adalat," where he collaborated with Madan Mohan and gave some of the finest ghazals like "Jaana Tha Humse Door," "Unko Yeh Shikayat Hai Ki Hum Kuch Nahin Kahte," "Yun Hasraton Ke Dagh Mohabbat Mein Dho Liye," and "Zameen Se Hamein Aasmaan Par."
Some of his famous songs in that period were "Eena Meena Deeka," "Chal Ud Ja Re Panchhi," Chhup Gaya Koi Re Door Se Pukar Ke, Bairan Ho Gayi Rain, Kaun Aaya Mere Man Ke Dware, "Humse Aaya Na Gaya Tumse Bulaya Na Gaya," "O Raat Ke Musafir Chanda Zara Bata De," "Yeh Mard Bade Dil Sard Bade," "Jeevan Ke Is Safar Mein Himmat Na Haar Raahi," "Oonche Parbat Gehre Sagar," "Chacha Zindabad," "Duniya Na Mane," "Main Apne Aap Se Ghabra Gaya Hoon," "Teri Shokh Nazar Ka Ishara," and many more.
Throughout his illustrious career, Rajendra Krishan collaborated with numerous celebrated music directors, including Shankar-Jaikishan, Madan Mohan, Ravi, and Laxmikant-Pyarelal, among others.
In the 1960s, Rajendra Kishan was one of the most sought-after musicians and gave words to many films. Some of his most notable songs include "Bhooli Hui Yaadon Mujhe Itna Na Sataao" (Sanjog), "Aansoo Samajh Ke Kyon Mujhe," "Ankhon Mein Masti Sharab Ki," and "Itna Na Mujhse Tu Pyar Badha" (Chhaya), "Tumhi Ho Mata Pita Tumhi Ho" (Main Chup Rahungi), Zaroorat Hai Zaroorat Hai" (Man Mauji), "Yeh Mere Andhere Ujaale Na Hote" (Prem Patra), "Kab Tak Bol Gori Aise Sharmayegi" (Rakhi), "Iss bhari duniya mein koi bhi hamaara na hua," "Woh Dil Kahan Se Laoon" (Bharosa), "Govinda Aala Re Aala," "Husn Chala Kuchh Aisi Chaal" (Bluff Master), "Yeh Khamoshiyan Yeh Tanhaiyan" (Yeh Rastey Hain Pyar Ke), "Yeh Jhuki Jhuki Nigahen Teri" (Aao Pyar Karen), and many more
In 1964, he wrote the lyrics to the period epic "Jahan Ara," which has songs like "Ae Sanam Aaj Yeh Kasam Khayen," "Baad Muddat Ke Yeh Ghadi Aayi," "Jab Jab Tumhen Bhulaya," "Phir Wohi Sham Wohi Gham Wohi Tanhai Hai," and "Teri Aankh Ke Aansoo Pee Jaoon," among others. The same year he collaborated with Ravi for "Shehnai," followed by "Khandan," one of the best albums of all time, which has songs like "Kal Chaman Tha," "Tumhin Meri Mandir," and my favourite "Badi Der Bhayi Nandlala" (I even wrote a poem in the same metre).
In 1965, he wrote one of the most famous patriotic songs, "Jahan daal daal par sone ki," in Sikandar-e-Azam.
In 1968, he wrote songs of "Padosan," another proof of his versatility, like "Ek Chatur Naar," "Main Chali Main Chali Dekho Pyar Ki Gali," "Mere Saamne wali Khidki Mein," "Meri Pyari Bindu," and "Aao Aao, Sanwariya," which are timeless classics and will be remembered forever.
In 1969, his song "Kaise Rahoon Chup" from "Intaquam" was the top song of the year. The film also has "Aa Jaane Jaan," "Jo Unki Tamanna Hai," "Geet Tere Saaz Ka," and "Hum Tumhare Liye Tum Hamaare Liye." In the same year, he also wrote for "Tumse Achha Kaun Hai (Kisse Pyar Karun)" and "Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani Jai (Nandlala Jai Jai Gopala).
In the 1970s, although he cut off his work significantly, he was at the top of his game with films like "Dharti-KKhuda Bhi Aasman Se." "Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani, Nandlala Jai Jai Gopala," "Gopi: Ramchandra Kah Gaye Siya Se and Sukh Ke Sab Saathi Dukh Mein Na Koi," "Bombay To Goa: Dekha Na Haay Re Socha Na," "Black Mail: Dekha Na Haay Re Socha Na," "Gehri Chal: Jaipur Ki Choli Mangwa De Re Saiyan," "Kahani Kismat ki—Are Rafta Rafta Dekho Aankh Meri Ladi Hai?" "Shaandaar: Zandagi Ab To Tere Naam Se Darr Lagta Hai" "Faraar: Main Pyaasa Tum Saawan," "Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan: Mannu Bhai Motor Chali Pum Pum Pum." "Silsila, Ladki Hai Ya Shola," "Mard: Sun Rubia Tumse Pyar Ho Gaya," and many more.
Apart from the songs, Rajendra Kirshan also debuts as a screenplay and dialogue writer in more than 60 films, including Aaj Ki Raat (1948), Nagin (1954), Bhai-Bhai (1956), Adalat (1958), Patang (1960), Chhaya (1961), Nazrana (1961), Bluff Master (1963), Ghar Basake Dekho (1963), Bharosa (1963), Nai Roshni (1967), Pyar Kiye Jaa (1966), Khandan (1965), Padosan (1968), Sadhu Aur Shaitaan (1968), Man Mandir (1971), Bombay to Goa (1972), Jwar Bhata (1973), and many more.
Krishan's legacy extends beyond his lyrical and screenwriting accomplishments. He was known for his humility and preferred to maintain a low profile, seldom seeking the limelight. This trait meant that despite the popularity of his songs, many of his admirers were unaware of the face behind the evocative words.
One of the lesser-known facets of Krishan's life was his success in horse racing, which led to him being considered one of the wealthiest writers in Hindi cinema. His winnings from a jackpot in the late seventies amounted to a staggering 4.6 million rupees, a considerable sum for the time.
Rajendra Krishan's death on September 23, 1987, marked the end of an era. In honour of his memory, HMV released an LP featuring 12 of his songs, allowing his poetic spirit to live on through his music.
Please share your favourite songs by Rajendra Krishan and also mention songs or films that are left out in the post, as his vast body of work is impossible to contain in just an article.
