Gopaldas Neeraj Birthday: Gopaldas Neeraj was the author of famous songs like 'Dil Aaj Shayar Hai...'

Today is the birthday of famous lyricist and Padma Bhushan awardee poet Gopaldas Saxena 'Neeraj', who gave famous and excellent songs to Hindi films like 'Dil Aaj Shayar Hai...'. He said goodbye to this world on 19 July 2018 at the age of 93.

Neeraj had once said in an interview, "If your songs and poems are in the tongues and hearts of people at the time of your departure from the world, then this will be your biggest identity. Every artist aspires to this."

Among his most popular compositions were "Caravan Gujar Gaya..." Jhaare Phool Se, Meet Chubhe Shool Se, Loot Gaye Singar Sabhi Baag Ke Babool Se, and we kept standing and watching the spring. The caravan passed by while the clouds watched! I had not even woken up when the sun had set; when I stood up my feet, life slipped away...

took poetry to new heights

Gopaldas Neeraj, born on 4 January 1925 in Purwali village of Etawah district of Uttar Pradesh, is counted among those Hindi poets who took poetry to new heights on the stage. He is the first person to be honored twice by the Government of India in the fields of education and literature. Poet Gopaldas was awarded Padma Shri in 1991 and Padma Bhushan award in 2007. In 1994, Uttar Pradesh Hindi Institute gave 'Yash Bharti Award'. Gopal Das Neeraj was also awarded the World Urdu Award.

Left job after being accused

Initially, he worked as a typist in the court of Etawah for some time and then got a job in a cinema shop. After a long period of unemployment, he went to Delhi and got a job as a typist in the cleaning department. After losing his job there, he did a clerkship in DAV College, Kanpur. Neeraj also worked as a Hindi lecturer in Meerut College, Meerut for some time. The college administration accused him of skipping classes and having romance, due to which Neeraj got angry and resigned from the job. After that, he was appointed professor of the Hindi department at Dharma Samaj College, Aligarh. During this time, he made Aligarh his home and started living in a house on Maris Road, Janakpuri.

Movies became successful because of his songs

Neeraj's increasing popularity in Kavi Sammelans attracted the attention of the film industry. He received invitations to write film songs which he happily accepted. His songs written in films became very popular. These include “Keep looking at the mirror today, this moment of love will pass”. After this, he made Mumbai his home and started writing songs for films while staying here. Because of his songs, many Bollywood films proved to be superhits. After a few years, he got bored of Mumbai within a few years. After this, he said goodbye to the city of dreams and came back to Aligarh.

The songs written by him became so immortal that even today people can be seen humming his songs. His writings include 'Likhe jo khat tujhe...', 'Aaj madhosh hua jaaye...', 'O brother, just look and walk...', 'Dil is a poet today, sorrow is a song today...', ' He became immortal by writing many songs like 'Shokhi mein ghola jaaye, phooloon ka shabab..'

'Dard Diya Hai' (1956), 'Aasavari' (1963), 'Muktaki' (1958), 'Caravan Gujar Gaya' (1964), 'Likh-Likh Bhejat Pati' (compilation of letters), Pant-Art, Poetry and Includes philosophy (criticism). His songs made a lot of noise not only in the world of literature but also in Hindi films. He was awarded the Filmfare Award for Best Songwriting for three consecutive years in the 1970s.

His award-winning songs are-

- May the wheel of time turn! (Year 1970, film Chanda Aur Bijli)

- That's the crime I commit every time (1971, film intro)

- Hey brother! Zara Dekh Ke Chalo (Year 1972, Film Mera Naam Joker)

- Hari Om Hari Om (1972, film- Yaar Mera)

- Identification of money here (1970, film- Identification)

- Let the beauty of flowers mingle with the lovers (1970, film- Prem Pujari)

- Jaalun Main Jale Mera Dil (1972, Film- Chupa Rustom)

- Dil Aaj Shayar Hai (1971, Film- Gambler)