The world has received some of the greatest and most memorable songs from Indian cinema, and some of the most talented and well-known lyricists are to thank for these enduring tunes. These people put lyrics that have captured the hearts of millions and are now ingrained in Indian culture.
From the era of Bollywood to the present, Indian film has been lucky to have a number of exceptional lyricists who have left a lasting influence on the industry. In this article, we’ll look at the top 10 lyricists in Indian film, who have had a big impact on the industry’s growth as well as the culture of the country.
Lyricists in Indian Cinema
1. Gulzar
One of the most well-known and revered lyricists in Indian film is Gulzar. Gulzar, who was born Sampooran Singh Kalra in 1934 in Punjab, India, started writing lyrics in the 1960s and has since written some of the most stunning and well-known songs in Indian film. He is renowned for his distinctive writing style, which mixes metaphors, symbolism, and poetry to produce lyrics that are both beautiful and meaningful.
In addition to writing lyrics, Gulzar is a well-known author, screenwriter, and director. Many honors, such as the Padma Bhushan and the Oscar Award for Best Original Song for “Jai Ho” from the movie “Slumdog Millionaire,” have been given to him for his services to Indian cinema.
2. Javed Akhtar
Prolific poet, screenwriter, and lyricist Javed Akhtar have made a huge impact on Indian film. Akhtar, who was born in Gwalior, India, in 1945, started off as a scriptwriter in the 1970s before becoming one of the most important lyricists in the business.
He is renowned for being able to craft lyrics that are both poetic and socially significant. Akhtar is well-known for his activism and has been a strong supporter of social justice and human rights in addition to his work in Indian cinema.
3. Sahir Ludhianvi
Legendary poet and lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi had a profound influence on Indian film. Ludhianvi, who was born Abdul Hayee in 1921 in Ludhiana, Punjab, India, began his career as a poet before becoming one of the most well-known lyricists in the business.
He was renowned for writing socially conscious songs that touched on problems like injustice, inequality, and poverty. The track “Kabhi Kabhie Mere Dil Mein” from the movie “Kabhi Kabhie,” which he wrote, won him the Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist.
4. Anand Bakshi
A prolific songwriter, Anand Bakshi produced some of the most recognizable and legendary songs in Indian films. Bakshi began his career as a lyricist in the cinema industry in the 1950s after being born in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, in 1930. Throughout the course of his career, he wrote the lyrics to more than 4,000 songs, making him one of the most accomplished lyricists in the business.
Bakshi frequently wrote about love, relationships, and daily life in his lyrics, which were renowned for their simplicity and relatability. For his efforts, Bakshi received numerous honors, notably four Filmfare Awards for Best Lyricist. He went away in 2002 and left behind a significant impact on Indian cinema.
5. Shailendra
A talented lyricist, Shailendra created some of the most well-known songs in Indian films. Shailendra, who was born Shankardas Kesarilal in 1923 in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, started his musical career in the 1940s. Shailendra frequently wrote about topics like love, nature, and the hardships of the average person in his songs, which were renowned for their simplicity, emotional resonance, and social concern.
“Yeh Raat Bheegi Bheegi” from the movie “Chori Chori” and “Awara Hoon” from the movie “Awara” are two of his most recognizable songs. For his efforts, Shailendra received numerous honors, including four Filmfare Awards for Best Lyricist. While he departed away in 1966, his impact on Indian cinema has continued to influence lyricists and music fans for decades.
6. Indeevar
Famous lyricist Indeevar also recognized as Shyamalal Babu Rai, made contributions to Indian film in the 1970s and 1980s. Indeevar, an Indian poet who was born in 1924 and raised in Uttar Pradesh, subsequently relocated to Mumbai to work in the film business.
“Tere Bina Zindagi Se” from the movie “Aandhi” and “Chandni O Meri Chandni” from the movie “Chandni” are two of his most well-known songs. Indeevar received numerous honours for his contributions, including two Filmfare Awards for Best Lyricist. He died in 1991, leaving behind a significant legacy in Indian cinema.
7. Majrooh Sultanpuri
From the 1940s to the 1990s, Majrooh Sultanpuri was a well-known Indian lyricist who made contributions to the motion picture business. Sultanpuri, who was born in 1919 in Uttar Pradesh, India, began his career as a poet before becoming one of the most popular lyricists in Indian film.
“Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko” from the movie “Yaadon Ki Baaraat” and “Kabhi Kabhie Mere Dil Mein” from the movie “Kabhi Kabhie” are two of his most well-known songs. Sultanpuri received numerous honors for his contributions, including three Filmfare Awards for Best Lyricist. While he went away in 2000, his influence on Indian cinema has continued to influence lyricists and music fans for decades.
8. Irshad Kamil
Modern Indian lyricist Irshad Kamil has recently made a big contribution to the cinema business. Kamil, who was born in 1971 in Malerkotla, Punjab, India, started out as a poet before relocating to Mumbai to work in the film business.
“Aaj Din Chadheya” from the movie “Love Aaj Kal” as well as “Agar Tum Saath Ho” from the movie “Tamasha” are two of his most well-known songs. Kamil has received numerous honors for his efforts, such as four Filmfare Awards for Best Lyricist. He is still a well-known character in Indian cinema and is well-regarded for his contributions to the field.
9. Sameer
Sameer Anjaan, also known as Sameer, is a well-known Indian lyricist with more than three decades of experience in the motion picture industry. Sameer, who was born in 1958 in Bombay, India, started writing lyrics in the late 1980s. He has collaborated with a number of well-known composers, including Nadeem-Shravan, Anu Malik, as well as Himesh Reshammiya.
Tujhe Dekha Toh Yeh Jaana Sanam from the movie “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” and “Pardesi Pardesi” from the movie “Raja Hindustani” are two of his most well-known songs. For his efforts, Sameer has received numerous honours, including Filmfare Awards for Best Lyricist.
10. Prasoon Joshi
Prasoon Joshi is a well-known Indian lyricist, scriptwriter, and advertising expert who has significantly influenced Indian culture and the film business. Joshi, who was born in Almora, Uttarakhand, India in 1971, began his professional life as an advertising copywriter before transitioning into the fields of lyricist and screenwriter.
His most well-known songs include “Maa” from “Taare Zameen Par” and “Chand Sifarish” from “Fanaa,” among others. Joshi has received numerous honours for his efforts, such as the 5 Filmfare Awards for Best Lyricist. In addition, he has received Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honors, for his contributions to the arts.
Conclusion
In summary, some of the world’s most creative and prominent lyricists have been a blessing to Indian film and have made a significant impact on the development of Indian music. These lyricists have written some of the most recognizable and famous songs in Indian film history, from the earliest days of Indian cinema to the present. Whether it is Sahir Ludhianvi’s philosophical profundity or Sameer’s simplicity, every lyricist has a distinct style and method that has irrevocably influenced Indian music.
There are many more gifted writers who have left their stamp on the business, yet this list only includes ten of the most significant lyricists in Indian cinema. These artists have made significant contributions to Indian music, and their legacies will continue to motivate and affect future generations.
