Sahir Ludhianvi: The People's Poet
-- by Akshay Manwani
"Hindi songs lost their virility after Sahir left." This is what composer Ravi of "Chaudahvin Ka Chand" and "Ae Meri Zohrajabein" fame (Bombay Ravi for Malayalees) told me long back. He was bang on. And, as the author of the book says, there will never be another Sahir Ludhianvi.
Manwani's biography of the poet-lyricist amply backs that stand. It traces his childhood trauma and agonies of the youth, which moulded the egoist and self-made man who would then take on the high & mighty -- in his poetry as well as in real life.
Imagine his gall to lock horns with the sublime S D Burman, when the composer had hit his peak with "Pyaasa". Or breaking ties with Lata. Or
Manwani's research is impressive. And most of the times his grasp of film songs too. For instance, the chapter on Sahir's songs that were diametrically opposite in tone, texture and mood even when they belonged to the same year, really opens up one's eyes. For example, in1957, he wrote the 'anti-patriotic' "Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par" for the cynical "Pyasa" and also the vivacious "Ye Desh Hai Veer Jawanon Ka" for "Naya Daur".
Even though a lot of what he has written about Sahir is well known, Manwani embellishes it with some clean writing and an insight or two. At least, he's better than that ridiculous pun-machine Raju Bharathan.
Yet, sometimes Manwani shocks you with his statements and observations.
He says Roshan was a B-grade composer. Utter utter rubbish. Period.
He thinks S D Burman's contribution was minimal in "Pyaasa". Highly debatable. And, for Manwani, lose-able.
He virtually rates "Chalo Ek Baar Phir Se" above "Aap Aaye To Khayal-e-Dil-Nashad Aaya". Disappointing.
Nevertheless, these don't take much away from his effort. And for a vintage Hindi film song enthusiast and Sahir fanatic like me, the book is thoroughly enjoyable.
