A letter to Someone About Sahir Ludhianavi

Sahir Ludhianvi’s name is synonymous with poetry and music that have touched the hearts of millions. His words, both sung and spoken, continue to resonate with a depth of emotion that transcends generations.

In this post we’ll walk briefly through Sahir’s life and his work!

Born Abdul Hayee in 1921, Sahir Ludhianvi adopted his pen name during his early years in Lahore.

Primarily an Urdu poet, Sahir’s talent found a wider audience through Hindi cinema. His evocative lyrics explored themes of love, loss, societal issues, and the complexities of life.

Sahir’s filmography boasts some of the most unforgettable songs in Indian cinema. From the melancholic beauty of “Kabhie Kabhie” to the yearning romance of “Pyaasa,” his words breathed life into the music.

Other notable works include “Chaudhvin Ka Chand,” “Jeena Yahan Marna Yahan,” and “Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya.”

These songs continue to be loved and cherished by fans across the globe.

Beyond the realm of Bollywood, Saahir’s poetry served as a clarion call for social change. His verses tackled issues like poverty, inequality, and the plight of the marginalized.

Sahir penned poems that captured the essence of struggle and resilience. Some of his notable poems are:

• Aurat Ne Janam Diya Mardon Ko
• Bahut Kathin Hai Dagar Panghat Ki
• Parchhaiyan
• Woh Subah Kabhi To Aayegi
• Tu Hindu Banega Na Musalmaan Banega
• Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par

And the list goes on.

Saahir Ludhianavi’s life was not without its share of controversies.

His outspoken views often landed him in hot water with the authorities. His critique of the establishment, especially during the tumultuous period of the Emergency in the 1970s, led to censorship and persecution.

However, Saahir remained steadfast in his commitment to speaking truth to power.

Central to Saahir’s personal life was his tumultuous relationship with the renowned poet and writer, Amrita Pritam.

Their love affair, though passionate, was marred by societal norms and personal struggles. Their bond, immortalized in their poetry, remains a poignant chapter in the annals of Indian literature.

This letter reprents how Sahir Ludhianavi influences youth of India till date.

Kaashi, IN

4th January, 2016

I want you to set everything aside and listen to my overflowing emotions. Just like in my last letter, I told you about my rising interest in poetry and how I’ve gradually started to understand what it actually is. Especially some of the poets that you suggested I read were amazing. There’s this thing about Urdu poetry that I noticed: it seems so subtle if you read it once, but if you read the same couplet again and again, it gets deeper and deeper. Every time I re-read an old poem, I find something new that I never knew was there before. That’s my favorite part about this sort of poetry. It’s all about your interpretation skills based on how much you feel, think, and can imagine.

But today, I want to talk about the guy who wrote the song, “Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein khayal aata hai…” from that old movie which was made years before I was born. I’ve never seen it. But I don’t know how I know parts of the lyrics, and every time I hear the song on television, radio, or anywhere, I sing along.

His name was Saahir Ludhianavi. The name translates to magician in English.

He was absolute magic. While reading about his life and the kind of things he went through, it felt like some kind of mystery is being solved, as I knew some of his poems and songs.

I realized that everything which was written by him was an outcome of some incident that he had in his life, whether it was about poverty, childhood, his tyrant father, his mother, or Amrita Pritam; it straight came out from the heart.

His poetry made me find some of the hidden emotions that were unexplored but resided within me and were troubling me since I was old enough to understand the world.

He gave me the courage to not love the popular, to be yourself, and unveiled the false illusion that society actually is. That is what has made me admire him more, to not fall for the worthless materials that you think will make you happy.

One of his couplets will always be close to my heart, which has made me a better being and will always remind me to care for what is necessary:

मगर दूर एक अफ़सुर्दा मकां में सर्द बिस्तर पर,

कोई दिल है की हर आहट पे यूँ ही चौंक जाता है…

Yours,

Sahir Ludhianvi’s legacy extends far beyond the awards he received, including the prestigious Filmfare Award and the Padma Shri.

He is remembered as a poet whose words painted vivid pictures, a lyricist who gave voice to emotions, and a social commentator who dared to challenge the status quo.

His work continues to inspire and influence generations of artists and audiences alike.