Shailendra Biography 
Hasrat Jaipuri, Sahir Ludhianvi and Shailendra – The golden era of Bollywood music exclusively belong to these three prominent lyricists followed by Shakeel Badayuni, Rajendra Krishnan, Raja Mehndi Ali Khan and a few others. According to the words of the great lyricist Hasrat Jaipuri, Shailendra is the best lyricist Indian screen has ever produced. Shailendra’s presence has really influenced a lot the golden era of Bollywood music. His major works are associated with Raj Kapoor – Shankar Jaikishan team. The major hits of this trio include - Shree 420, Awara, Yahudi, Jis des mein ganga behthi hai, Barsaat, Aag, Sangham and Anari. His association with Dev Anand is also famous. Guide and Kaala Baazar are the memorable movies of this hit pair. Other major hits of Shailendra include Do bheega zameen, Teesri kasam, Madhumathi, Bandhini, Anurada and Brahmachari. He has produced critically well acclaimed movie ‘Teesri kasam’ starring Raj Kapoor and Waheeda Rehman, though it failed at box office.
Shailendra was the first lyrist who won the Filmfare awards and the song was Yeh mera deewanapan hai of Yahudi (1959). He won it successively the next year for the song ‘Sab kuch seekha humne’ of Anari. He has been nominated whole throughout the decade when lovely lyrics were the decorations of Bollywood music and only three nominations were chosen. In most years, he finished as a nominee and even won it many times. He won it last time for the song, Mein gaun tum so jaao of Brahmachari. His other nominations include - Sajan Re Jhoot of Teesri Kasam, Dost Dost Na Raha of Sangham, Title track of Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai and Hothon Pe Sacchai of Jis des mein ganga behthi hai.
Before joining the industry he was a welder of Indian railways. When he got transferred to Bombay, he started writing. Raj Kapoor noticed him first at a mushaira and brought a few poems for movie Aag. However Shailendra was not interested in film songs. But do to financial instabilities after the birth of his baby, he came back to Raj Kapoor in search of an opportunity. Thus began the great association of Raj Kapoor-Shailendra songs and biggest contribution to Bollywood music. But he died at a younger age of 43 in 1966, when he was at the peak of his career, with many unsung poems left!
Published: N/A
Updated: July 08, 2013
