New Delhi, June 5: The name of legendary Hindi cinema lyricist Rajendra Krishna will always be spoken with great respect. Born on June 6, 1919, he enhanced gatherings with his words and provided solace to tearful eyes. He brought a new dimension to Indian music.
Rajendra Krishna was born on June 6, 1919, in a middle-class family in Jalalpur Jattan (now in Pakistan). His full name was Rajendra Krishna Duggal. From a young age, he had a deep interest in poetry and shayari. After completing his education, he worked in a government job in Shimla for a while. However, in the mid-1940s, he moved to Mumbai to try his luck in the film industry.
Establishing himself in the film world required hard work. In 1948, he encapsulated the pain of Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination in the song “Listen, O World, this is Bapu’s immortal story.” This song made him famous across the country. Sung by Mohammed Rafi and composed by Husnlal-Bhagatram, this non-film song brought tears to the eyes of every Indian at that time. This single song catapulted Rajendra Krishna to fame overnight.
Rajendra Krishna was a multifaceted talent. He could write serious and romantic songs as easily as he could craft humorous and lively ones. He penned songs like “Shola Jo Bhadke” from “Albela” (1951), “Ek Chatur Naar Badi Hoshiyar” from “Padosan” (1968), and “Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas” from “Black Mail” (1973). Collaborating with great composers like C. Ramchandra, Madan Mohan, and Hemant Kumar, he delivered timeless hits.
In addition to being a lyricist, he was also a successful screenplay and dialogue writer. He wrote scripts and dialogues for films like “Sadhana,” “Padosan,” and “Bombay to Goa.” His dialogues played a significant role in immortalizing the comic timing between Mahmood and Kishore Kumar in “Padosan.” For the song “Tumhi Mere Mandir, Tumhi Meri Pooja” from the 1965 film “Khandan,” he received the Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist.
Rajendra Krishna passed away on September 23, 1987. His songs continue to resonate in the playlists of every generation and remain alive in the hearts of people.
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