Bhujh Jaaye Sare Aam Hi Jaise Koi Chirag
Kuch Yu Hain Shuruaat Meri Dastaan Ki
Gopal Das Neeraj, the man who wrote beautiful poems, songs, ghazals and shayaris gave this world a new perspective to see things, died two days ago in AIIMS, Delhi due to prolonged illness. He became famous for writing songs in the Bollywood industry but to come this far was not an easy journey for him. Everyone knows him as the famous songwriter and poet but the fame in a true sense never really affected him. He remained a humble man throughout his life.
Khilne Ko Tayaar Nahi Thi, Tulsi Bhi Jinke Aangan Mein
Meine Bhar- Bhar Diye Sitare, Unke Matmaele Aangan Mein
Peedha Ke Sang Raas Rachaya, Aankh Bhari Toh Jhum Ke Gaya
Jaise Mein Jee Liya Kisi Se, Kya Iss Tarah Jiya Jaayega
Gopaldas Neeraj was born in the village of Puravali near Mahewa of Etawah in Uttar Pradesh, India on 4 January 1925. He had a difficult start from the very beginning. When he was only six years old, his father died and the whole family came to a standstill. They survived hardly on the money, used to send by his uncle every month. Despite all these things, he somehow studied and passed high school with first division in 1942. After graduating from high school, he started working to support his family. He used to go to Kavi Sammelan and would recite poems which also paid him few bucks. Before becoming a writer he has done many other jobs like being a stenographer, painter of Ayurvedic medicines on walls, selling beedis and cigarettes and diving in the river for coins. He worked as a typist for five years along with doing M.A. Hindi. He was writing poems then. After leaving his job, he completed his studies and started teaching Hindi literature at Dharma Samaj College in Aligarh. The year was now 1951 and his life was about to change forever. He recited the song”Karvan Guzar Gaya” sung by Rafi which he wrote for his first film Nayi Umar Ki Nayi Fasal, a film about the youth of the nation, the lyrics which he wrote captured the essence of the movie which revolved around the student’s politics: ‘Swapn jhare phool se/Meet chubhe shool se…’. After that, there was no turning back, a journey of soulful words written by him and mixed with the beautiful music won the hearts of everyone in the country. “Badal, Bijli, Chandan, Pani Jaisa Apna Pyaar/Lena Hoga Janam Humein Kayi Kayi Baar/Haan Itna Madir, Itna Madhur Tera Mera Pyaar/Lena Hoga Janam Humein Kayi Kayi Baar” ~ The famous song Phuloon Ke Rang Se from the movie Prem Pujari became the love anthem for many people. He has worked with many famous music composers like R.D. Burman and created some of the songs which are going to remain evergreen. Later he also worked as the appointed chairman of the UP Bhasha Sansthan by the Samaj Wadi Party and circuit, and as the chancellor of the Mangalayatan University in Aligarh. He remained the member of Kavi Sammelan throughout his life.
Some of His Songs & Poems:
- Phulon Ke Rang Se- Prem Pujari (1970)
- Mera Mann Tera Pyaasa- Gambler (1971)
- Ae Bhai Zara Dekh Ke Chalo- Mera Naam Joker (1970)
- Bas Yahi Apradh- Pehchan (1970)
- Shokhiyon Mein Ghola Jaaye- Prem Pujari (1970)
- Likhe Jo Khat Tujhe- Kanyadan (1968)
- Dard Diya Hain (1956)
- Do Geet (1958)
- Nadi Kinare (1963)
- Phir Deep Jalega (1970)
- Mukti (1958)
Awards:
- Three Filmfare Awards
- Doctor of Literature
- Sahitya Vachaspati
- Tagore Vachaspati
- Padma Shri (1991)
- Padma Bhushan (2007)
The people who were close to him and his family remembers him as a happy man. He faced so many hardships in his life but despite all that he never drowned in the sorrows. He never stopped writing no matter whatever phase he went through in his long life of 93 years. His writing was never very complex for anyone, he wrote simple language yet rich in the meaning which was understandable by everyone. He also had a good sense of humor and the way he recited his poems on stage was very different, the audience used to laugh half the time. He really knew how to play with the words and create something beautiful with it. In on of his ghazals he wrote-“Neeraj Se Badhkar Aur Dhani Kaun/Uske Hridaey Mein Peer Hain Saare Jahan Ki” which truly describes him. He lived a big and a wonderful life which changed the lives of people who were connected to him and of all those people who read his work. His writing reflected his pure knowledge and understanding of Hindi language. Just like his songs, poems, ghazals, shayaris and even haikus, he will live forever live in our memories. Leaving his legacy behind, in the end when he was about to go maybe the sky echoed these two lines to bid him goodbye-
“Aasu Jab Sammanit Honge, Mujhko Yaad Kiya Jaayega
Jaha Prem Ka Charcha Hoga, Mera Naam Liya Jaayega”
