Shakeel Badayuni: A Lyricist Who Never Diluted His Poetry
By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
1 August 2022
Comparisons are not just odious, they are often
exasperating. But if you allow me to compare, I shall put Shakeel Badayuni on
the highest pedestal among all his great coevals. You've every right to call it
my act of partiality. Born on August 3, 1916, the AMU-educated Shakeel Badayuni
carved a niche for himself at that time, when film music was at its sublime
best.
Predominantly an Urdu poet, Shakeel won many awards and
accolades during his student days at AMU. Pakistani film critic Rahil Hasan
wrote in 1972 that “Shakeel’s poetry, even during his younger days, didn't
solely dwell upon Husn and Ishq, but other concerns of life also
figured in his poetic works.” It was 28-yr-old Shakeel who wrote, "
Jahaan-E-Rang-O-Boo Mein Kyon Talaash-E-Husn Ho Mujh Ko/Hazaron Jalwe
Rakhshanda Hain Mere Dil Ke Parde Mein " (Why should I search for
beauty in the mundane world?/ When thousands of pulchritude are effulgent in my
heart) or " Apni Hasti Ka Bhi Insaan Ko Irfaan Na Hua/ Khaak Phir Khhak
Thi, Auqaat Se Aage Na Gayee " (Man hasn't yet been able to realize
his hidden potential/ After all, the dust cannot transcend its own humble
limits). The profound philosophical depth of these two couplets cannot be
denied. The same Shakeel wrote, " Mera Azm Itna Buland Hai Ke Paraye
Sholon Ka Dar Nahin/ Mujhe Khauf Aatish-E-Gul Se Hai, Ye Kahin Chaman Ko Jala
Na De " (I'm least bothered about the fireballs coming from outside as
I'm firm on my principle/ I'm apprehensive of the fire of the flower that may
incinerate the garden).
When Shakeel began to write for films, he wrote some of the
most memorable numbers that still enthrall the connoisseurs of film music. Can
one ever forget all the songs of film Baiju Bawra (1952)? ‘Man Tadpat Hari
Darshan Ko Aaj' or ' O Duniya Ke Rakhvale...' (both sung by the
inimitable Rafi), ' Chaudhvin Ka Chaand Ho...’, ' Jaane-Bahaar Husn
Tera Bemisaal Hai (Film: Pyaar kiya toh darna kya, 1963), ' Zara Sun
Haseena-E-Naazneen..' (Film: Kaun apna, kaun paraya, 1963) or that absolute
gem of a song: Zindagi Ke Safar Mein Akele Thay Hum (Film: Nartaki,
1963), all the numbers of the film 'Mere Mahboob' (1963), ' Zindagi Ke Mod
Pe Jo Koi Raasta Mila Teri Gali Se Jaa Mila' (Film: Bedaagh, 1965, Music:
Roshan, singer: Rafi), ' Dill Mein Ek Jaane-Tamanna Ne Jagah Paayee Hai...'
(Film: Benazir, 1964, S D Burman)? “Dill Lagakar Hum Ye Samjhe." (Film:
Zindagi aur Maut, 1965/ C Ramachandran).The list is simply endless. It's like, Kahan
Se Chhedun Fasana Kahan Tamaam Karoon?- A classical dilemma of-Where to
begin from and where to end at?
Died at the age of 53 on April 20, 1970, Shakeel vindicated
Daniel Dafoe's famous lines: The best of men cannot suspend their fate/ The
good die early and the bad die late. It's worthwhile to mention that when
Shakeel Badayuni was diagnosed with tuberculosis, he was put up in a sanatorium
in Panchgani for treatment. Naushad knowing that his financial condition was not
well, took 3 films to him, getting the lyrics written in the sanatorium, and
got him a payment of nearly 10 times more than his normal fees. This is
friendship.
Shakeel will always be remembered for his soulful poetry and
lyrics.
Today is Rafi's 42nd death anniversary and on August 3 is
the 106th birth anniversary of Shakeel Badayuni. Shakeel penned this exquisite
number and Rafi sang it so soulfully. The film was ' Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya '
(1963). Shakeel already wrote this number with a few changes while studying at
AMU. It was meant for an elegant girl whose name he never disclosed. Once a
sadist friend of mine took me to a concert where one of the worst singers on
the planet earth, Sonu Nigam, sang this song and pronounced MaZaal (actually,
MaJaal: Meem, Jeem, Alif, Laam) instead of Majaal. I cursed my friend and Sonu
Nigam and immediately left the auditorium lest I should die of further shock. I
was about to die but somehow survived. That day I seriously decided to sue Sonu
but then changed my mind. Those who don't know how to read and write Urdu, will
always use Z for J and Qaaf for Kaaf. This gets my goat. Listen to this
immortal number. The heroine was B Sarojadevi. Rekha's mother Pushpavalli also
acted in this movie. Ravi Shankar Sharma composed the music.
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A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a
researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has
contributed articles to world's premier publications in several languages
including Persian.
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/shakeel-badayuni-lyricist-poetry/d/127619
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