Kaif Bhopali

Kaif Bhopali Biography

Kaif Bhopali was a famous Urdu poet from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, who wrote songs for Bollywood classic, Pakeezah (1972). Chalo Dildar Chalo sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi is still loved by music fans. He also penned lyrics for Aye Khuda Shukr Tera in the 1982 film Razia Sultan. Both the films were directed by Kamal Amrohi. Bhopali penned lyrics for some of the popular ghazals sung by ghazal king, Jagjit Singh - “Kaun aayega yehan, koyi na aaya hoga” being the most popular couplet. Tera Chehara Kitna Suhana Lagta Hai and Jhoom ke jab rindon ne pila de are other popular ghazals of Bhopali sung by Jagjit Singh.

Bhopali used Bhopal as his birthplace due to some compulsions. His original birth place is Lucknow of Uttar Pradesh. He was born on February 20, 1917. His ancestral roots belong to Kashmir. His forefathers migrated from Kashmir to Lucknow, and finally to Bhopal. Kaif was extremely intelligent since younger days, and had translated 13 chapters of the holy Quran in poetic form during his childhood. Later he moved to Mumbai to pursue a career in Bollywood. He was frequently associated with Kamal Amrohi, who gave him opportunity to pen lyrics for his films, Pakeeezah and Razia Sultan. Amrohi had directed only four films throughout his career.

This ghazal king was quite active and popular in Urdu mushaira circles. He was an instant hit at mushairas (poet gatherings where poets recites their poems and ghazals. Kaif Bhopali died at Bhopal in 1991. He was 74. Some of his popular couplets include - Kamsini key aalam mein jin ko chhod aaya thaa and Kaun aaye ga yahaan, koi na aaya hogaa. He was married to Iftikhar Bano. His daughter’s name is Parveen Kaif.

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Updated: June 19, 2016