Pradeep
Encyclopedia
Kavi Pradeep born Ramchandra Baryanji Dwivedi, was a renowned poet and songwriter who is best known for his patriotic song, Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo
, written as tribute to the soldiers who had died defending the country, during the Sino-Indian War
.
His first recognition came for his patriotic lyrics for the film Bandhan
(1940), though it was for writing a daringly patriotic song, "Door Haaton aye Duniya walon" (Move Away O Outsiders), in India's first golden jubilee hit, Kismet
(1943), that his status as a nationalistic writer got immortalized as, as soon after the film's release, having provoked the ire of British government, he was forced to go underground to avoid arrest.
In a career span, of nearly five decades, Kavi Pradeep, wrote about 1,700 songs, nationalistic poems including the lyrics for some 72 films, including hits like, "Chal Chal Re Naujawan", film Bandhan (1940), "Aao Bachchon Tumhe Dikhayen" and "De Di Hame Azaadi Bina Khadag Bina Dhaal", film Jagriti
(1954), and "Yahaan vahaan jahaan tahaan mat poochho kahaan kahaan", film Jai Santoshi Ma, (1975) for which he also did a playback
version in the film. In 1958, HMV
, released an album of 13 songs with his lyrics, soon he was made the Rashtrakavi, (Poet Laureate), and came to be known as, Kavi Pradeep
In 1997, he was honoured by India's highest award in Cinema, the Dada Saheb Phalke Award for Lifetime Achievement.
family in the small central Indian town of Badnagar
, Ujjain
in Madhya Pradesh
state. Since his early student days in Madhya Pradesh
, and later while pursuing graduation from University of Lucknow
, he had a passion for writing and rendering Hindi poetry. He hypnotized the audience at kavi sammelans (poet's gatherings) with his inimitable style. It was during this time he changed his name to Pradeep. After graduating from Lucknow University in 1939, he decided to join a teacher's course and teaching.
) where he was offered his first film Kangan (1939), by the Himanshu Rai
of Bombay Talkies
. The film starred Devika Rani
and Ashok Kumar
. Pradeep shifted to Bombay and wrote four songs for the film, all of which became very popular and sung three of the songs himself.
He next film was Bandhan
(1940), produced by S. Mukherjee
and directed by Gyan Mukherjee, and music by Saraswati Devi
. This time he wrote all the songs which became huge hits. The Most notable is "Chal chal re naujawan", which made waves since the Indian freedom movement was at a crucial juncture.
which included Punarmilan, Jhoola, Naya Sansar
, Anjan and Kismet
(1943). Kismet
is known for its patriotic song "Aj Himalay ki choti se phir hamne lalkara hai, door hato ae duniyawalon Hindustan hamara hai".
Mashaal was his next film and it features the extremely popular song "Upar gagan vishal, niche gahara pataal, bich mein dharati, wah mere malik tune kiya kamal..." sung by Manna Dey
. Kavi Pradeep was at his creative zenith when he wrote for the films Nastik and Jagriti. He even lent his voice for the evergreen song "Dekh tere sansar ki halat kya ho gayi bhagwaan kitna, badal gaya insaan...". Jagriti is considered to be among his best work for one movie since it includes hit songs such as "Aao bachchon tumhe dikhayen jhanki Hindustan ki, is mitti se tilak karo, yeh dharti hai balidan ki...", "Hum laye hain toofan se kishti nikal ke, is desh ko rakhna mere bachon sambhal ke..." and "Dedi humein azadi bina khadak bina dhal, Sabarmati ke sant tune kar diya kamal...".
His songs were so popular that movies would get repeat audiences just to listen to his soulful songs. Kavi Pradeep always believed in writing songs with a meaning and made sure the songs he wrote fit into the situation of the movie. The popularity of his songs were also due to his down to earth lyrics and simple language that was well understood by everyone. He stayed in the Irla
area of the Mumbai
suburb of Vile Parle
until he died.
starrer and Paigam starring Dilip Kumar
, Raaj Kumar
and Vyjayantimala. With "Insaan ka insaan se ho bhaichara, yahi paigam hamara.." being a highlight. S. Mukerji’s Sambandh starring Pradeep Kumar
was a movie that ran on the popularity of songs such as "Chal akela chal akela, tera mela pichche chhoota rahi chal akela...", "Jo diya tha tumne ek din, mujhe phir wohi pyar de do, ek karz mangta hoon, bachpan udhar de do" were written by Kavi Pradeep. He continued to show his brilliance in 1975, when the movie Jai Santoshi Maa
was released. For a low budget movie, it matched the collections of another Block Buster Sholay
. For months, theatres screening the movie, held the housefull boards high. Ladies would perform poojas when the immortal song "Main to aarti utaroon re Santoshi mata ki...." was played in the theatres. He also sang one of the songs "Yahan Wahan" from the film for which he received the award as Best Male Playback Singer from the Bengal Film Journalists' Association in 1975. Almost synonymous to his Kismet song "Aj Himalay ki choti se phir hamne lalkara hai..", the reel would be rewound and played many times to satisfy public demand.
soon realized the true meaning of his songs and issued a warrant for his arrest. This forced Kavi Pradeep underground to avoid arrest.
He continued his patriotic zeal with renewed vigor after Independence in movies such as Jagriti, "Dedi humein azadi bina khadak bina dhal, Sabarmati ke sant tune kar diya kamal..." is considered to be his tribute to Mahatma Gandhi
.
During 1962 (Indo-China) war days, he heard about Param Vir
Major Shaitan Singh Bhati
. He was so touched by his sacrifice and bravery that he penned down the lines "Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon" (translation: O people of my country). This song was originally supposed to be sung by Asha Bhosle
, due to a misunderstanding between composer C. Ramchandra
and Lata Mangeshkar
. Kavi Pradeep though, was adamant about having Lata Mangeshkar sing the song, as he felt that hers was the only voice that could do justice to the number. C. Ramchandra was unsure whether Mangeshkar would agree to sing, so Kavi Pradeep began the task of convincing her to hear the song. On hearing the song she was moved so much that she instantly agreed to sing the song, on condition that Kavi Pradeep be present at the rehearsals.
Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo
went on to become one of the greatest patriotic songs of the country. It was while listening to Lata Mangeshkar’s rendition of ‘Ae Mere Watan Ke Logo’ that the then Prime Minister of India - Jawaharlal Nehru
was moved to tears. For writing the song he was conferred the honour of "Rashtriya Kavi" (National Poet) by the Government Of India.
The song was famously performed live, by Lata Mangeshkar
, in the presence of Prime Minister
, Jawaharlal Nehru
at the Ramlila grounds, New Delhi
, on Republic Day, 26 January 1963, and moved him to tears, and a copy of the soundtrack spool was also gifted to him on the occasion. Despite many offers, Kavi Pradeep, pledged the royalties of the song to 'War Widows Fund', and on 25 August 2005, Bombay High Court
, ordered, Saregama (HMV) to pay 10 lakhs as arrears in royalty due to the Fund.
His songs directly address and have inspired and continue to inspire millions of Indians spanning several generations
. Songs like “Hum Laye Hain Toofan se Kashti Nikal Ke, Is Desh ko rakhnaa mere bachchon sambhal ke”, "Aao Bachon Tumhe Dikhayen Jhanki Hindustan Ki"' have been plagiarized almost word to word with minor changes like 'desh' to 'mulk' and avoiding references like 'Bharat', 'Hind', 'Bapu' etc.
Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo
"Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo" is an Indian patriotic song written in Hindi by Kavi Pradeep and composed by C. Ramchandra commemorating Indian soldiers who died during the Sino-Indian War...
, written as tribute to the soldiers who had died defending the country, during the Sino-Indian War
Sino-Indian War
The Sino-Indian War , also known as the Sino-Indian Border Conflict , was a war between China and India that occurred in 1962. A disputed Himalayan border was the main pretext for war, but other issues played a role. There had been a series of violent border incidents after the 1959 Tibetan...
.
His first recognition came for his patriotic lyrics for the film Bandhan
Bandhan (1940 film)
Bandhan is a 1940 Indian Bollywood film directed by N.R. Acharya. It stars Leela Chitnis, Ashok Kumar and Suresh. It was the second highest grossing Indian film of 1940. It was produced by Bombay Talkies. -Cast:*Leela Chitnis as Beena...
(1940), though it was for writing a daringly patriotic song, "Door Haaton aye Duniya walon" (Move Away O Outsiders), in India's first golden jubilee hit, Kismet
Kismet (1943 film)
Kismet is a 1943 Indian Hindi film, written and directed by Gyan Mukherjee and produced by Bombay Talkies during the second world war period, while it was in a succession battle between Devika Rani and Sashadhar Mukherjee after owner Himanshu Rai's death...
(1943), that his status as a nationalistic writer got immortalized as, as soon after the film's release, having provoked the ire of British government, he was forced to go underground to avoid arrest.
In a career span, of nearly five decades, Kavi Pradeep, wrote about 1,700 songs, nationalistic poems including the lyrics for some 72 films, including hits like, "Chal Chal Re Naujawan", film Bandhan (1940), "Aao Bachchon Tumhe Dikhayen" and "De Di Hame Azaadi Bina Khadag Bina Dhaal", film Jagriti
Jagriti
Jagriti is a 1954 Hindi film that won the Filmfare Best Movie Award in 1956, and the lead, Abhi Bhattacharya, won the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award.-Plot:...
(1954), and "Yahaan vahaan jahaan tahaan mat poochho kahaan kahaan", film Jai Santoshi Ma, (1975) for which he also did a playback
Playback singer
A playback singer is a singer whose singing is prerecorded for use in movies. Playback singers record songs for soundtracks, and actors or actresses lip-sync the songs for cameras, while the actual singer does not appear on screen.-South Asia:...
version in the film. In 1958, HMV
HMV
His Master's Voice is a trademark in the music business, and for many years was the name of a large record label. The name was coined in 1899 as the title of a painting of the dog Nipper listening to a wind-up gramophone...
, released an album of 13 songs with his lyrics, soon he was made the Rashtrakavi, (Poet Laureate), and came to be known as, Kavi Pradeep
In 1997, he was honoured by India's highest award in Cinema, the Dada Saheb Phalke Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Early life
Born Ramchandra Barayanji Dwivedi in 1915 into a middle-class BrahminBrahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
family in the small central Indian town of Badnagar
Badnagar
Badnagar is a city, and a municipality in Ujjain district in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India.- Demographics : India census, Badnagar had a population of 30,951. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Badnagar has an average literacy rate of 75%, higher than the national...
, Ujjain
Ujjain
Ujjain , is an ancient city of Malwa region in central India, on the eastern bank of the Kshipra River , today part of the state of Madhya Pradesh. It is the administrative centre of Ujjain District and Ujjain Division.In ancient times the city was called Ujjayini...
in Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
state. Since his early student days in Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
, and later while pursuing graduation from University of Lucknow
University of Lucknow
The University of Lucknow is a university in the city of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is affiliated to University Grants Commission; Association of Commonwealth Universities ; Association of Indian Universities ; Distance Education Council...
, he had a passion for writing and rendering Hindi poetry. He hypnotized the audience at kavi sammelans (poet's gatherings) with his inimitable style. It was during this time he changed his name to Pradeep. After graduating from Lucknow University in 1939, he decided to join a teacher's course and teaching.
Early career
Pradeep was invited to a Kavi Sammelan in Bombay (now MumbaiMumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
) where he was offered his first film Kangan (1939), by the Himanshu Rai
Himanshu Rai
Himanshu Roy , one of the pioneers of Indian cinema, is best known as the founder of the Bombay Talkies in 1934. He was associated with a number of movies, including Goddess , The Light of Asia , Siraj , A Throw of Dice , and Karma .He was married to actress Devika Rani.-Bombay Talkies:He was...
of Bombay Talkies
Bombay Talkies
The Bombay Talkies Limited was a movie studio produced 102 movies, founded in 1934 in Malad, Bombay , India, by Himanshu Rai, Rajnarayan Dube and Devika Rani along with businessmen like F. E...
. The film starred Devika Rani
Devika Rani
Devika Rani Chaudhuri Roerich was an early Indian movie star.- Career :Born in Waltair , Devika Rani came from a distinguished background: she was the great-grandniece of the Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore and her father, Col. M. N. Chaudhuri, was the first Indian Surgeon-General of Madras...
and Ashok Kumar
Ashok Kumar
Ashok Kumar also fondly called Dadamoni was an Indian film actor. Born Kumudlal Ganguly in Bhagalpur, Bengal Presidency he attained iconic status in Indian cinema...
. Pradeep shifted to Bombay and wrote four songs for the film, all of which became very popular and sung three of the songs himself.
He next film was Bandhan
Bandhan (1940 film)
Bandhan is a 1940 Indian Bollywood film directed by N.R. Acharya. It stars Leela Chitnis, Ashok Kumar and Suresh. It was the second highest grossing Indian film of 1940. It was produced by Bombay Talkies. -Cast:*Leela Chitnis as Beena...
(1940), produced by S. Mukherjee
Sashadhar Mukherjee
Sashadhar Mukherjee was a producer in Hindi films. He is part of the distinguished Mukherjee clan of Bollywood.Main article: Mukherjee-Samarth family...
and directed by Gyan Mukherjee, and music by Saraswati Devi
Saraswati Devi (Music Director)
Mein Ban ki Chiriyra Banke Bun Bun Bolun Re - The person who entertained thousands of music lovers with such enchanting composition of film songs was none other than Saraswati Devi - the distinguished lady music director of Hindi cinema mostly known to compose music for Bombay Talkies during the...
. This time he wrote all the songs which became huge hits. The Most notable is "Chal chal re naujawan", which made waves since the Indian freedom movement was at a crucial juncture.
Golden era
He worked on five more movies for Bombay TalkiesBombay Talkies
The Bombay Talkies Limited was a movie studio produced 102 movies, founded in 1934 in Malad, Bombay , India, by Himanshu Rai, Rajnarayan Dube and Devika Rani along with businessmen like F. E...
which included Punarmilan, Jhoola, Naya Sansar
Naya Sansar (1941 film)
Naya Sansar is a 1941 Hindi film on radical journalism, directed by reporter turned director, N. R. Acharya , and written by a journalist himself, Khwaja Ahmad Abbas, who started his film career with this film. It won him the Bengal Film Journalists Award for the best story and screenplay.It had...
, Anjan and Kismet
Kismet (1943 film)
Kismet is a 1943 Indian Hindi film, written and directed by Gyan Mukherjee and produced by Bombay Talkies during the second world war period, while it was in a succession battle between Devika Rani and Sashadhar Mukherjee after owner Himanshu Rai's death...
(1943). Kismet
Kismet (1943 film)
Kismet is a 1943 Indian Hindi film, written and directed by Gyan Mukherjee and produced by Bombay Talkies during the second world war period, while it was in a succession battle between Devika Rani and Sashadhar Mukherjee after owner Himanshu Rai's death...
is known for its patriotic song "Aj Himalay ki choti se phir hamne lalkara hai, door hato ae duniyawalon Hindustan hamara hai".
Mashaal was his next film and it features the extremely popular song "Upar gagan vishal, niche gahara pataal, bich mein dharati, wah mere malik tune kiya kamal..." sung by Manna Dey
Manna Dey
Prabodh Chandra Dey , better known by his nickname Manna Dey , is a playback singer in Bengali Assamese and Hindi films. Along with Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Mukesh, he was a part of Indian film playback music from the 1950s to the 1970s. He has recorded more than 3500 songs over the course of...
. Kavi Pradeep was at his creative zenith when he wrote for the films Nastik and Jagriti. He even lent his voice for the evergreen song "Dekh tere sansar ki halat kya ho gayi bhagwaan kitna, badal gaya insaan...". Jagriti is considered to be among his best work for one movie since it includes hit songs such as "Aao bachchon tumhe dikhayen jhanki Hindustan ki, is mitti se tilak karo, yeh dharti hai balidan ki...", "Hum laye hain toofan se kishti nikal ke, is desh ko rakhna mere bachon sambhal ke..." and "Dedi humein azadi bina khadak bina dhal, Sabarmati ke sant tune kar diya kamal...".
His songs were so popular that movies would get repeat audiences just to listen to his soulful songs. Kavi Pradeep always believed in writing songs with a meaning and made sure the songs he wrote fit into the situation of the movie. The popularity of his songs were also due to his down to earth lyrics and simple language that was well understood by everyone. He stayed in the Irla
Irla
Irla is a neighbourhood in suburban Mumbai, near Vile Parle. It is located near the upmarket Juhu area.There is one beautiful jain temple of the first Tirthankar of jains, Adinath.It also contains a famous chain of shops called "Alfa"....
area of the Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
suburb of Vile Parle
Vile Parle
Vile Parle , also known as "Parla", is a suburb of Mumbai. Vile Parle is also the name of the railway station in this suburb, on the Mumbai suburban railway on the Western Railway railway line. Vile Parle has a significantly strong base of Marathi and Gujarati population. The name "Vile Parle" has...
until he died.
Later life
By the 1960s, the popularity of his songs was on the wane and film producers who were looking for western music and fast numbers avoided him. However he managed to prove his detractors wrong with films Talaaq, a Rajendra KumarRajendra Kumar
Rajendra Kumar was one of the most successful Indian Bollywood actors in the 1960s and 1970s. He also produced several films in the 1980s starring his son Kumar Gaurav....
starrer and Paigam starring Dilip Kumar
Dilip Kumar
Dilip Kumar , is an Indian actor and a former Member of Parliament.He lives in Pali Hill, Bandra in Mumbai, India. He is commonly known as "Tragedy King",and is described as "the ultimate method actor" by Satyajit Ray....
, Raaj Kumar
Raaj Kumar
Raaj Kumar , born Kulbushan Pandit was an Indian actor in Hindi movies. Raaj Kumar started out as sub-inspector of Mumbai police in the late 1940s before he turned to acting with the 1952 film Rangili...
and Vyjayantimala. With "Insaan ka insaan se ho bhaichara, yahi paigam hamara.." being a highlight. S. Mukerji’s Sambandh starring Pradeep Kumar
Pradeep Kumar
Pradeep Kumar was an Indian actor in Bengali and Hindi films.-Career:When Kumar was 17 years old, he decided to take up acting. His started his film career in Bengali films...
was a movie that ran on the popularity of songs such as "Chal akela chal akela, tera mela pichche chhoota rahi chal akela...", "Jo diya tha tumne ek din, mujhe phir wohi pyar de do, ek karz mangta hoon, bachpan udhar de do" were written by Kavi Pradeep. He continued to show his brilliance in 1975, when the movie Jai Santoshi Maa
Jai Santoshi Maa
Jai Santoshi Maa is a 1975 low-budget Hindi film that became one of the top blockbusters of all time. Santoshī Mā , a goddess of satisfaction, was not widely known prior to the release of this film, but immediately after the release, became a huge phenomenon...
was released. For a low budget movie, it matched the collections of another Block Buster Sholay
Sholay
Sholay is a 1975 Indian action-adventure film produced by G.P. Sippy and directed by his son Ramesh Sippy. It is considered among the greatest films in the history of Indian cinema. Released on 15 August 1975, it stars Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Sanjeev Kumar, Jaya Bhaduri and...
. For months, theatres screening the movie, held the housefull boards high. Ladies would perform poojas when the immortal song "Main to aarti utaroon re Santoshi mata ki...." was played in the theatres. He also sang one of the songs "Yahan Wahan" from the film for which he received the award as Best Male Playback Singer from the Bengal Film Journalists' Association in 1975. Almost synonymous to his Kismet song "Aj Himalay ki choti se phir hamne lalkara hai..", the reel would be rewound and played many times to satisfy public demand.
The Patriot
Kismet was his groundbreaking effort since it came at the time of the "Quit India" movement. The country was in strife with all national leaders in Jail. He cleverly wrote "Aj Himalay ki choti se phir hamne lalkara hai, door hato ae duniyawalon Hindustan hamara hai". The song was supposed to warn the Axis powers, but the Indian public understood the real meaning of the song. Theatres around the country were resounded with "once more" calls once the song ended. The reel had to be rewound and the song was screened again and again. Kismet made Box Office history for its time by running for 3½ years in one theatre. Though the song managed to pass through heavy censorship of the time, the BritishUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
soon realized the true meaning of his songs and issued a warrant for his arrest. This forced Kavi Pradeep underground to avoid arrest.
He continued his patriotic zeal with renewed vigor after Independence in movies such as Jagriti, "Dedi humein azadi bina khadak bina dhal, Sabarmati ke sant tune kar diya kamal..." is considered to be his tribute to Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi , pronounced . 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement...
.
During 1962 (Indo-China) war days, he heard about Param Vir
Param Vir
Param Vir is a British composer originally from India.Born in Delhi, Param Vir read philosophy at Delhi University and studied composition in England with Peter Maxwell Davies and Oliver Knussen....
Major Shaitan Singh Bhati
Shaitan Singh
Major Shaitan Singh was an Indian soldier, who was awarded Param Vir Chakra, the highest wartime gallantry medal, posthumously, for his leadership and courage during the Sino-Indian War of 1962.-Background:...
. He was so touched by his sacrifice and bravery that he penned down the lines "Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon" (translation: O people of my country). This song was originally supposed to be sung by Asha Bhosle
Asha Bhosle
Asha Bhosle is an Indian singer. She is one of the best-known and most highly-regarded Hindi playback singers in India, although she has a wider repertoire. Bhosle's career started in 1943 and has spanned over six decades. She has done playback singing for over a thousand Bollywood movies...
, due to a misunderstanding between composer C. Ramchandra
C. Ramchandra
Ramchandra Narhar Chitalkar was a renowned music composer in the movie industry of India. In the composer's role, he mostly used the name C. Ramachandra, though he also used the names Annasaheb , Ram Chitalkar Ramchandra Narhar Chitalkar(Marathi: रामचंद्र नरहर चितळकर /सी.रामचंद्र ) (1918–1982) was...
and Lata Mangeshkar
Lata Mangeshkar
Lata Mangeshkar is a singer from India. She is one of the best-known and most respected playback singers in India. Mangeshkar's career started in 1942 and has spanned over six and a half decades. She has recorded songs for over a thousand Hindi films and has sung songs in over thirty-six regional...
. Kavi Pradeep though, was adamant about having Lata Mangeshkar sing the song, as he felt that hers was the only voice that could do justice to the number. C. Ramchandra was unsure whether Mangeshkar would agree to sing, so Kavi Pradeep began the task of convincing her to hear the song. On hearing the song she was moved so much that she instantly agreed to sing the song, on condition that Kavi Pradeep be present at the rehearsals.
Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo
Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo
"Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo" is an Indian patriotic song written in Hindi by Kavi Pradeep and composed by C. Ramchandra commemorating Indian soldiers who died during the Sino-Indian War...
went on to become one of the greatest patriotic songs of the country. It was while listening to Lata Mangeshkar’s rendition of ‘Ae Mere Watan Ke Logo’ that the then Prime Minister of India - Jawaharlal Nehru
Jawaharlal Nehru
Jawaharlal Nehru , often referred to with the epithet of Panditji, was an Indian statesman who became the first Prime Minister of independent India and became noted for his “neutralist” policies in foreign affairs. He was also one of the principal leaders of India’s independence movement in the...
was moved to tears. For writing the song he was conferred the honour of "Rashtriya Kavi" (National Poet) by the Government Of India.
The song was famously performed live, by Lata Mangeshkar
Lata Mangeshkar
Lata Mangeshkar is a singer from India. She is one of the best-known and most respected playback singers in India. Mangeshkar's career started in 1942 and has spanned over six and a half decades. She has recorded songs for over a thousand Hindi films and has sung songs in over thirty-six regional...
, in the presence of Prime Minister
Prime Minister of India
The Prime Minister of India , as addressed to in the Constitution of India — Prime Minister for the Union, is the chief of government, head of the Council of Ministers and the leader of the majority party in parliament...
, Jawaharlal Nehru
Jawaharlal Nehru
Jawaharlal Nehru , often referred to with the epithet of Panditji, was an Indian statesman who became the first Prime Minister of independent India and became noted for his “neutralist” policies in foreign affairs. He was also one of the principal leaders of India’s independence movement in the...
at the Ramlila grounds, New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
, on Republic Day, 26 January 1963, and moved him to tears, and a copy of the soundtrack spool was also gifted to him on the occasion. Despite many offers, Kavi Pradeep, pledged the royalties of the song to 'War Widows Fund', and on 25 August 2005, Bombay High Court
Bombay High Court
Bombay High Court at Mumbai, Maharashtra, is the High Court of India with jurisdiction over the states of Maharashtra & Goa, and, the Union Territories of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli...
, ordered, Saregama (HMV) to pay 10 lakhs as arrears in royalty due to the Fund.
Popular Songs
- “Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo” (Kangan)
- “Sooni padi re sitar” (Kangan)
- “Nacho nacho pyare man ke mor” (Punar Milan)
- “Chal chal re nau javan” (Bandhan)
- “Chane jor garam babu” (Bandhan)
- “Piyoo piyoo bol pran papihe” (Bandhan)
- “Ruk na sako to jao” (Bandhan)
- “Kheencho kaman kheencho” (Anjan)
- “Jhoole ke sang jhoolo” (Jhoola)
- “Na jane kidhar aaj meri nao chali re” (Jhoola)
- “Main to dilli se dulhan laya re” (Jhoola)
- “Aaj mausam salona salona re” (Jhoola)
- “Mere bichhade hue saathi” (Jhoola)
- “Door hato ae duniya walo Hindustan hamara hai (Kismet)
- “Dheere dheere aa re badal” (Kismet)
- “Papiha re, mere piyase” (Kismet)
- “Ghar ghar mein diwalee hai mere ghar me andhera” (Kismet)
- “Ab tere siva kaun mera” (Kismet)
- “Har har mahadeo allah o akbar” (Chal Chal Re Naujawan)
- “Ram bharose meri gadi” (Girl”s School)
- “Oopar gagan vishal” (Mashal)
- “Kiski kismet mein kya likha” (Mashal)
- “Aaj ashia ke logon ka kafila chala” (Kafila)
- “Koyal bole ku” (Baap Beti)
- “Kahna bahjaye bansari” (Nastik)
- “Jai jai ram raghurai” (Nastik)
- “Kitna badal gaya insan” (Nastik)
- “Gagan jhan jhana raja” (Nastik)
- “Tere phoolon se bhi pyar” (Nastik)
- “Sabarmati ke sant” (JagritiJagritiJagriti is a 1954 Hindi film that won the Filmfare Best Movie Award in 1956, and the lead, Abhi Bhattacharya, won the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award.-Plot:...
) - “Hum laye hain toofan se” (Jagriti)
- “Chalo chalen maa” (Jagriti)
- “Aao bachacho tumhen dikhayen” (Jagriti)
- “Tere dwar khada bhagwan” (Waman Avtar)
- “Kahe ko bisara hari naam, maati ke putle” (Chakradhari)
- “Doosara o ka dukhada door karne wale” (Dashera)
- “Tunnaak tunnak bole re mera ektara” (Ram Navmi)
- “Pinjare ke panchhi re” (Naag Mani) (video search)
- “Koi lakh kare chaturai” (Chandi Pooja)
- “Nai umar ki kaliyo tumko dekh rehiduniya sari” (Talaq)
- “Bigul baj raha azadi ka” (Talaq)
- “Mere jeevan mein kiran ban ke” (Talaq)
- “Mukhada dekhle praani” (Do Bahen)
- “Insan ka insan se ho bhaichara” (Paigham)
- “O ameeron ke parameshwar” (Paigham)
- “Jawani mein akelapan” (Paigham)
- “O dildaar bolo ek baar” (School Master)
- “Aaj suno hum get vida ka garaha” (School Master)
- “Sanvariya re apni meera ko bhool na jana” (Aanchal)
- “Na jane kahan tum the” (Zindgi aur khwab)
- “Aaj ke is insaan ko ye kya hogaya” (Amar Rahe Ye Pyar)
- “Sooraj re jalte rahena” (Harishchandra Taramati) (video search)
- “Toot gayee hai mala” (Harishchandra Taramati)
- “Janma bhoomi maa” (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose)
- “Suno suno desh ke Hindu - musalman” (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose)
- “Bharat ke liye bhagwan ka ek vardaan hai ganga” (Har har gange)
- “Chal akela chal akela” (Sambandh)
- “Tum ko to karodon saal hue” (Sambandh)
- “Jo diya tha tumne ek din” (Sambandh)
- “Andhere mein jo beithe ho (Sambandh)
- “Ye khushi leke main kya karoon” (Har har gange)
- “Sukh dukh dono rehte” (Kabhi dhoop kabhi chhaon)
- “Hay re sanjog kya ghadi dikhlai” (Kabhi dhoop kabhi chhaon)
- “Chal musafir chal” (Kabhi dhoop kabhi chhaon)
- “Jai Jai narayan narayan hari hari” (Haridarshan)
- “Pabhu ke bharose han ko gaadi” (Haridarshan)
- “Maarnewala hai bhagwan bachanewala hai bhagwan” (Haridarshan)
- “Main is paar” (Agni rekha)
- “Main to aarti utaron” (Jai Santoshi Maa)
- “Yahan wahan jahan tahan” (Jai Santoshi Maa)
- “Mat ro mat ro aj” (Jai Santoshi Maa)
- “Karati hoon tumhara vrat main” (Jai Santoshi Maa)
- “Madad karo santoshi mata” (Jai Santoshi Maa)
- “He maruti saari ram katha ka” (Bajrangbali)
- “Banjaa hoon main” (Aankha ka tara)
- “Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon”
His songs directly address and have inspired and continue to inspire millions of Indians spanning several generations
Awards
Kavi Pradeep received numerous awards throughout his life. Some of which are:- Sangeet Natak Akademi AwardSangeet Natak Akademi AwardSangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar is an award given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy of Music, Dance & Drama. It is the highest Indian recognition given to practicing artists. The award consists since 2003 of Rs. 50,000, a citation, an angavastram , and a tamrapatra...
- 1961 - BFJA Award Jai Santoshi MaaJai Santoshi MaaJai Santoshi Maa is a 1975 low-budget Hindi film that became one of the top blockbusters of all time. Santoshī Mā , a goddess of satisfaction, was not widely known prior to the release of this film, but immediately after the release, became a huge phenomenon...
(1975)http://www.bfjaawards.com/legacy/pastwin/197639.htm
Quotes
About the kind of songs he wrote, Pradeep once said http://www.rediff.com/movies/1998/dec/19kav.htm "Love is just a part of life and the love written about today talks about love between the sexes only. But do young men and women have a monopoly where love is concerned. Aren't there different kinds of love that between a mother and her children, between a father and his children, between a bhakt (devotee) and his deity, between a man and his motherland? I chose to write about all these different kinds of love."Plagiarized works of Kavi Pradeep
Many of Kavi Pradeep’s works have been plagiarized in neighboring PakistanPakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. Songs like “Hum Laye Hain Toofan se Kashti Nikal Ke, Is Desh ko rakhnaa mere bachchon sambhal ke”, "Aao Bachon Tumhe Dikhayen Jhanki Hindustan Ki"' have been plagiarized almost word to word with minor changes like 'desh' to 'mulk' and avoiding references like 'Bharat', 'Hind', 'Bapu' etc.
Legacy
Kavi Pradeep died at the age of 83 in Mumbai on 11 December 1998, he was survived by his wife, and two daughters, Sargam Thaker and Mitul Pradeep, who later set up the Kavi Pradeep Foundation. They are assisted in their task by former MLA, Mr Avinash Pande. He is also a distant relative of the poet. An award, Kavi Pradeep Samman, has also been constituted in his memory.External links
- Kavi Pradeep website
- Pradeep at Kavita Kosh - A large collection of Hindi poems