Gopaldas Neeraj

Gopaldas Neeraj Biography

Gopaldas Neeraj, popularly known as Neeraj is a very famous poet and lyricist of Hindi language. Born in a small village Ekdil of UP, he became popular through the creations he has done taking pen in his hand. Gopaldas Saxena is his real name and he wrote under the pen name ‘Neeraj’. His designation is a college professor who retired from Aligarh. His subject was obviously, Hindi literature. For his contributions to Hindi literature and cinema he has been awarded by Padmabhushan in 2007. Many of his songs have been reused in movies with more or less modifications and thus, his works reached common people as well as music lovers. In short, through the lyrics for Bollywood, he and his poems became popular. As a lyricist, his best works are Prem Pujari, Tere mere sapne, Chanda aur bijli, Pehchaan, Mera naam joker, Nai umr ki nai fasal, Cha cha cha, Chupa rustam, Sharmili, Gunah and Gambler.

It can be noted that his most popular songs belong to Dev Anand – Prem pujari, Tere mere sapne and Gambler. Though Prem pujari was not a success at box office, its songs were well noticed and still remembered for the amazing words written by the powerful pen of Neeraj. Rangeela re and Phoolom ki rang se – still make listeners wonder with its lyrics and they got blend well with S.D.Burman’s music too. The phrase ‘Rangeela re’ was later used in 1995, to coin the blockbuster movie ‘Rangeela’ and its top song ‘Rangeela re’, composed by A.R.Rehman. Remixed version of this song has also become very popular among teens.

As a lyricist, he has been nominated 3 times in Filmfare – He won it for Kal ka payya of Chand aur Bijli in 1970, beating songs of Aradhana and Jeene ki raah exactly the same year. His other nominations include - Ae Bhai Zara Dekh Ke Chalo of Mera naam joker and Bas Yehi Apradh of Apradh. He has been successively nominated from 1970-1972. His other big hits include Raadhaa ne maalaa japi shyaam kii of Tere mere sapne, Subaha na aayee, shaam na aayee... of Cha cha cha, Khilte hain gul yaha and Megha chaaye of Sharmiliee and Choodi nahi hai and Dil aaj shayar hai of Gambler. He was at the peak of his career when Shankar and S.D.Burman left the world and he too, lost his interest in writing songs for movies.   

On 19th July 2018, poet Gopaldas Neeraj passed away. He was 93 year old when he died. He had been admitted to AIIMS due to lung infection.

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Updated: July 19, 2018