Shakeel Badayuni (3 August 1916 – 20 April 1970) was an Indian Urdu poet, lyricist and songwriter in Hindi / Urdu language films.
Early life Shakeel Ahmed (pen name Shakeel Badayuni) was born on 3 August 1916 in Badaun, also called Badayun, Uttar Pradesh, British India. His father, Mohammed Jamaal Ahmed Sokhta Qadiri, wanted him to have a successful career, thus he arranged Arabic, Urdu, Persian, and Hindi tuition for Shakeel at home. His inclination towards poetry was not hereditary like other . One of his distant relatives, Zia-ul-Qadiri Badayuni, was a religious . Shakeel Masoodi was influenced by him and the contemporary environment of Badayun led him to poetry.
When he joined Aligarh Muslim University in 1936, he started participating in inter-college, inter-university mushairas, or poetry recitation symposiums, and won frequently. In 1940, he married Salma, who was his distant relative and had been living in a common house with him since childhood. However, the purdah system was strictly observed in their family and they were not close. After completing his BA degree, he moved to Delhi as a supply officer, but continued participating in mushairas, earning fame nationwide. Those were the days of who wrote about the downtrodden sections of society, their emancipation, and the betterment of society. But Shakeel had an altogether different taste – his poetry was romantic and close to the heart. Shakeel used to say:
Mein Śhakīl Dil Kā Huun Tarjuman Keh Mohabbatoṁ Kā Huun Rāzadān Mujhē Fakhr Hai Mērī Śhāyarī Mērī Zindagī Sē Judā Nahīn
During his Aligarh days, Badauni also started learning Urdu poetry formally from Hakim Abdul Waheed 'Ashk' Bijnori.
Career Shakeel moved to Bombay in 1946, to write songs for films. He met film producer, A.R. Kardar and music composer, Naushad Ali, who asked him to sum up his poetic skills in one line. Shakeel wrote, Hum Dard Ka Afsana Duniya Ko Suna Denge, Har Dil Main Mohabbat Ki Ek Aag Laga Dengey. Naushad immediately retained him for Kardar's film, Dard (1947). The songs of Dard proved to be very successful, especially Uma Devi (Tun Tun)'s Afsana Likh Rahi Hoon. Only a few are so lucky that they attain success in their first film, but Shakeel deserved success which started with Dard and continued on over the years.
Together, he and Naushad became one of the most sought - after composer/lyricist duos in the industry. Among the scores they churned out together, are those of Deedar (1951), Baiju Bawra (1952), Mother India (1957), and Mughal-e-Azam (1960), that stand out. Other films they scored together include Dulari (1949), Shabab (1954), Ganga Jamuna (1961), and Mere Mehboob (1963). Although Shakeel Badayuni worked most extensively with Naushad, he also collaborated with Ravi and Hemant Kumar. His lyrics for the song Husnwale Tera Jawab Nahin and Ravi's music score both won Filmfare Awards for the hit film Gharana. His other notable film with Ravi is Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960), while Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962) is his biggest hit with Hemant Kumar. The title song from Chaudhvin Ka Chand, rendered by Mohammed Rafi, won Badayuni the Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist in 1961.
Shakeel penned numbers for around 89 films. In addition, he wrote many popular ghazals sung by Begum Akhtar, which are still sung by vocalists like Pankaj Udhas and others.
The Indian government had honoured him with the title Geet Kar-e-Azam.
Association with Naushad Shakeel shared a close friendship with Naushad, Ravi, and Naushad's former assistant, Ghulam Mohammed, with whom he enjoyed his life to the fullest. Naushad used Shakeel as the lyricist for his tunes for most of his films for a period of 24 years. Baiju Bawra, which was a milestone in both of their careers, was supposed to go to Kavi Pradeep. Vijay Bhatt, the director of the movie was insistent on using Kavi Pradeep as the lyricist, since the film was supposed to have many devotional songs. Naushad requested Vijay Bhatt to hear the lyrics written by Shakeel. Vijay Bhatt agreed.
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 good, took three films to him, having the lyrics written in the sanatorium, and got him a payment of nearly ten times more than his normal fees.
Association with Ravi Shakeel also wrote many songs for music director Ravi Sharma. Prominent amongst them were Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960), Gharana (1961), Ghunghat, Grahasti (1963), Nartaki (1963), as well as Phool Aur Patthar and Do Badan (both released in 1966).
Association with Hemant Kumar Shakeel wrote for Hemant Kumar for movies like Bees Saal Baad (1962), Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962), Bin Badal Barsaat (1963 film).
Association with S.D. Burman Shakeel penned lyrics for the tunes of S.D. Burman for movies Kaise Kahoon & Benazir.
Others C. Ramachandra – Zindagi Aur Maut, Wahan Ke Log.
Roshan – Bedaag, Noorjahan.
Personal life and death Shakeel Badayuni succumbed to diabetes complications at the age of fifty-three, on 20 April 1970, at Bombay Hospital leaving behind his wife, two sons and two daughters. One daughter, Najma, died soon afterwards, while still a college student. His elder son Javed and grandson Zeeshan work in the travel and tourism industry. His other son's name is Tariq. Shakeel's friends Ahmed Zakaria and Rangoonwala formed a trust called Yaad-e-Shakeel after his death and this trust became the source of some income for his bereaved family.
Shakeel loved to play badminton, go on picnics and hunting trips and fly kites with his friends from the industry, Naushad and Mohammed Rafi. Sometimes Johnny Walker would join them in kite-flying competitions. Dilip Kumar, writers Wajahat Mirza, Khumar Barabankvi and Azm Bazidpuri were among Shakeel's other close friends within the industry.
Popular songs Badayuni penned several memorable songs in his career. Some of his popular works include the musical Baiju Bawra (1952), historical epic Mughal-e-Azam (1960) and social Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962). Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki, Na Janay Tum Kab Aao Gay (Dulari) (1949) Man Tarpat Hari Darshan Ko Aaj (Baiju Bawra) (1952) O Duniya Ke Rakhwale (Baiju Bawra) (1952) Madhuban Me Radhika Naache Re (Kohinoor) (1960) Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya (Mughal- E- Azam) (1960) Chaudvin Ka Chand Ho (Chaudvin Ka Chand) (1960) Dil Laga Kar Hum Ye Samjhe (Zindagi Aur Maut) (1965) Yeh Zindagi Ke Mele Dunya Mein Kum Na Hongay, Afsos Hum Na Honge (Mela) (1948) Hue Hum Jinke Liye Barbad (Deedar) (1951) Maan Mera Ehsaan Aray Nadaan (Aan) (1952) Tere Koche Mein Armanoo (Dillagi) (1949) Milte Hee Ankhain Dil Hua Deewana Kisi Ka (Babul) (1950) Mere Mehboob Tujhe Meri Mohabbat Ki Qasam (Mere Mehboob) (1963) Jane Bahaar Husn Tera Bemisaal Hai (Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya) (1963) Ek Shahenshah Ne Banwa Ke Haseen Taj Mahal (Leader) (1964) Koi Saagar Dil Ko (Dil Diya Dard Liya) (1966) Beqarar Kar Ke Humein Yun Na Jaiye (Bees Saal Baad) (1962) Lo Aa Gai Unki Yaad, Woh Nahin Aaye (Do Badan) (1966) Na Jao Saiyaan Chhuda Ke Baiyyan (Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulaam) (1962) Meri Baat Rahi Mere Man Me (Sahi Bibi Aur Ghulam) (1962) Aaj Puraani Raahon Se Koi Mujhe Awaz Na De (Aadmi) (1968) Jab Dil Se Dil Takrata Hai (Sunghursh) Ek Baar Zara Phir Keh Do Bin Badal Barsaat (1963) Tumhe Paa Ke Hum Ne (Gehra Daag) Zindagi Tu Jhoom Le Zara (Kaise Kahoon) (1964)
Awards 1961 Filmfare Best Lyricist Award for the song Chaudvin ka chand ho in the film Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960) 1962 Filmfare Best Lyricist Award for the song husnwale tera jawab nahin in the film Gharana (1961) 1963 Filmfare Best Lyricist Award for the song Kahin Deep Jale in the film Bees Saal Baad (1962)
Government recognition A postage stamp, bearing his face, was released by India Post to honour him on 3 May 2013.
Filmography Year Film Songs written Music DirectorNotes 1947 Dard10 (All) Naushad AliDebut filmNatak4Shanti11 (All)B. S. Thakur1948Anokhi Ada10Naushad AliGrahasti2Ghulam MohammedKajalMela12 (All)Naushad AliPugree8Ghulam Mohammed1949Chandni Raat10 (All)Naushad AliChar DinShyam Sundar GabaDil Ki Basti4Ghulam MohammedDillagi12 (All)Naushad AliDulariParas9 (All)Ghulam MohammedShair10 (All)Singaar3Khwaja Khurshid Anwar1950Babul12 (All)Naushad AliDastan9 (All)Jan PahechanKhemchand Prakash and Manna Dey (separately)Kunwara Pati2Mohammed Ibrahim and Saraswati DeviPardes9 (All)Ghulam Mohammed1951Deedar12 (All)Naushad AliJadoo9 (All)Lachak1Moti RamNazneen8 (All)Ghulam Mohammed1952Aan11 (All)Naushad AliAjeeb Larki10 (All)Ghulam MohammedAmberBaiju Bawra13 (All)Naushad AliDiwana8 (All)Sheesha4Ghulam Mohammed1953Dil-e-Nadaan9 (All)Gauhar6 (All)Hazaar Raten10 (All)Laila Majnu13Ghulam Mohammed and Sardar MalikRail Ka Dibba6 (All)Ghulam Mohammed1954Amar10 (All)Naushad AliChor Bazar6 (All)Sardar MalikMirza Ghalib3Ghulam MohammedShabaab15 (All)Naushad Ali1955Hoor-e-Arab8 (All)Ghulam Mohammed and Sardar Malik (separately)Kundan10 (All)Ghulam MohammedRukhsana2Sajjad HussainSitara8 (All)Ghulam MohammedUran Khatola12 (All)Naushad Ali1957Mother IndiaPak Daman11 (All)Ghulam MohammedAlso appeared on-screen as himself reciting his poetry.1958Maalik8 (All)Sohni Mahiwal11 (All)Naushad Ali1960Chaudhvin Ka Chand10 (All)Ravi Shankar SharmaGhunghatKohinoorNaushad AliMughal-e-Azam12 (All)1961Gharana9 (All)Ravi Shankar SharmaGunga Jumna8 (All)Naushad AliWanted7 (All)Ravi Shankar Sharma1962Bees Saal Baad5 (All)Hemant KumarSahib Bibi Aur Ghulam9 (All)Son Of IndiaNaushad Ali1963Bin Badal BarsaatHemant KumarGehra Daag6 (All)Ravi Shankar SharmaKaun Apna Kaun ParayaMere Mehboob9 (All)Naushad AliMulzim7 (All)Ravi Shankar SharmaNartakee8 (All)Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya9 (All)1964Benazir11 (All)Sachin Dev BurmanDoor Ki Awaz9 (All)Ravi Shankar SharmaKaise Kahoon7 (All)Sachin Dev BurmanLeader8 (All)Naushad Ali1965Bedaag6Roshan Lal NagrathZindagi Aur Maut6 (All)Ramchandra Narhar Chitalkar1966Dil Diya Dard Liya8 (All)Naushad AliDo Badan6 (All)Ravi Shankar SharmaPhool Aur Patthar1967AuratNoor Jehan8 (All)Roshan Lal NagrathPalki9 (All)Naushad AliRam Aur Shyam7 (All)Wahan Ke Log5 (All)Ramchandra Narhar Chitalkar1968Aadmi6 (All)Naushad AliBaazi5 (All)Kalyanji-AnandjiSunghursh7 (All)Naushad Ali1969Beti8 (All)Sonik-OmiMr. Murder31971Umeed7 (All)Ravi Shankar Sharma Released after his death1973Pyaar Ka Rishta3Shankar-Jaikishan1974Jurm Aur Sazaa1Laxmikant-Pyarelal1982Jogi4Ravi Shankar Sharma
References