Karvan of Dream Merchant Kavi Gopal Das Neeraj passed away

 Kaun samjhe meri aankho ki nami ka matlab

Zindagi geet thee par jild bandhne men kati

                 कौन समझे मेरी आँखों की नमी का मतलब

ज़िन्दगी गीत थी पर जिल्द बंधाने में कटी...

The Karvan of Gopal Das ‘Neearaj’ passed away on 19^th July 2018.Yes I am talking of Padam bhushan Gopal Das “Neeraj”.Popularly known as Kavi Neeraj. He has written more than 100 Hindi film songs, in a period of filtering with big silver screen. His style is considered easy to understand, but has also been compared with high quality Hindi literature.

Kavi Gopal Das "Neeraj"

 Bollywood lyricist and poet Gopal Das Neeraj passed away at 93 years of age. He was born on January 4, 1925 in the Purwali village of Etawah district of UP. Gopal Das Neeraj wrote the song for the first time in the film “Nai Umar Ki Nai Fasal”. 

His first film song “Karvan guzar gaya aur ghubar dekhte rahe”, was composed for film Nai Umar Ki Nai Fasal, Starring Tanuja and Rajeev, directed by R. Chandra. The film was released on Jan 1, 1966.

This film was shot in the Aligarh Muslim University campus. After this he wrote several songs for films such as Prem Pujari, Sharmilee, Mera nam Joker, Gambler, Kanyadan and many more.films.

The song from Prem Pujari written with most beautiful lyrics ever. The way Kavi Neeraj symbolizes love using colors of flower, the pen of heart just keeps me in awe. Again he uses the symbolism of clouds and rain (things which go hand in hand) and chandan and water (yet again essential to each other); conveying the fact that how much the protagonist’s female love is essential to him. The use of words like madir, madhur, veena, gitanjali ring lovely music to my ears.

Kavi Gopal Das "Neeraj" in Exhibition of Aligarh-2018

Gopal Das Neeraj was a people’s poet; Neeraj says his poetry was shaped by his broken heart, desire and years of suffering. “Mera tan rogi, man bhogi, meri aatma rahi yogi.” It is this contradiction that makes his poetry tangible. 

It reflects in its pure form in “Kal Ka Pahiya” (“Chanda Aur Bijli”) which won him Filmfare award and in popular mode in “Bas Yahi Apradh Main har Baar Karta Hoon, Aadmi Hoon Aadmi Se Pyaar Karta Hoon” (“Pehchan”).

 Phoolon Ke Rang Se dil ki qalam se

This evergreen song is a true masterpiece. Every word of Neeraj is extremely beautiful.The best ever lyrics, the best ever poetry one can write for a loved one and what a superb composition by S.D. Burman. Dev Anand priceless expression and Kishore da. What we can say about him. You are really great. 

Phoolon Ke Rang Se -Film Prem Pujari Lyric by Kavi Neeraj

 Poetry is the soul of this song; Neeraj defined love in such delicate expression and words so simple, it leaves the listener spell-bound.

Phoolon Ke Rang Se, Dil Ki Qalam Se Tujh ko Likhi Roz Paati

Kaise Bataun, Kis Kis Tarah Se

Pal Pal Mujhe Tu Satati
Tere Hi Sapane, Lekar Ke Soyaa
Teri Hi Yaadon Men Jaaga
Tere Khayalon Men Ulajha Raha Yun

Jaise Ke Malaa Men Dhaagaa Haan, Badal Bijali Chandan Pani Jaisa Apna Pyar
Lena Hoga Janam Hame, Kae Kae Bar
Han, Itana adir BarSaanson Ki Saragam, Dhadakan Ki Vinaa,

Sapanon Ki Gitanjali Tuu
Man Ki Gali Men, Mahake Jo Haradam,
Aisi Juhi Ki Kali Tuu
Chota Safar Ho, Lamba Safar Ho,
Suni Dagar Ho Yaa Mela
Yaad Tu Aae, Man Ho Jaae, Bhid Ke Bich Akelaa
Haan, Badal Bijalii, Chandan Paani Jaisa Apana Pyaar
Lena Hoga Janam Hame, Kae Kae Bar

Puurab Ho Pachchim, Uttar Ho Dakkhin,
Tuu Har Jagah Muskurae
Jitana Bhi Jauun, Main Duur Tujhse,
Utani Hii Tuu Paas Aae

Aandhi Ne Roka, Paanii Ne Toka,
Duniyaa Ne Hans Kar Pukara
Tasavir Teri, Lekin Liye Main, Kar Aaya Sabase Kinara
Haan, Baadal Bijali, Chandan Paani Jaisaa Apanaa Pyaar
Lena Hoga Janam Hame, Kae Kae Bar

Han, Itana Madir, Itana Madhur Tera Mera Pyar
Lena Hoga Janam Hame, Kae Kae Bar
Kai, Kai Bar Kai, Kai Baar 

My flowers of obeisance to Kavi Gopal Das “Neeraj”

Kavi Gopal Das “Neeraj” was caught by the eye of Dev Aanand, in a kavi sammelan; He introduced him to S.D. Burman for his new film “Prem Pujari”.

Neeraj took a leave of six days from D. S. College in Aligarh, and reached Bombay at the invitation of Anand. “He put him in luxurious hotel in Santa Cruz and paid him Rs.1000/= even before signing him.Next day he took him to S.D. Burman.

Who gave him to write to tunes and a given situation ,the song should start with ‘Rangeela Re’ and  about a girl who sees her beloved coming to a party with another girl. It should have elements of frustration in love, jealousy and satire.

He worked the whole night and came up with “Rangeela Re Tere Rang Main Yun Ranga Hai Mera Mann, Chhaliya Re…”

Next day he went to Dev Anand’s office and showed what he had written. After reading it, he embraced Neeraj and exclaimed how he could do it in one night. “He immediately took me to Burman da’s home and proudly presented me to him and said: See, I told you, Neeraj has done it. When Burman da listened to it he said ‘Dev you go, now we will sit together.’ After he left, Burman da admitted that he gave me this complex situation to make me give up.

After that they three began to bond.” “Shokhiyon Mein Ghola Jaye” was taken from his poem “Chandni Mein Ghola Jaye”. It was his take on life but Dev Anand wanted it to be changed according to the requirement of the film. “I changed the antara completely.

Padmashree Dr Gopal Das Neeraj, popularly known as Neeraj, is one of my most favorite poets. I have no words to praise his poetry. He had penned a number of popular songs for Hindi films and worked with great music composers like S D Burman, Jaidev and Shankar Jaikishan.

Karvan guzar Gaya gubar dekhte rahe...

छिप-छिप अश्रु बहाने वालों, मोती व्यर्थ बहाने वालों

कुछ सपनों के मर जाने से, जीवन नहीं मरा करता है।

Written and posted by Engr Maqbool
Akram with help of materials available on net.