Sahir Ludhianvi is perhaps one of the most well-known lyricists of Bollywood. He has left behind a treasure trove of songs and poems that still resonate with Indians of all ages and generations. Not surprisingly, when “Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar Hoon”, a play based on his life and times opened in NCPA, Mumbai, it was a full house.
Ludhianvi’s life was brought alive with incidents from his personal and professional life along with on-stage live singing of some of his most loved Bollywood songs. Songs of love, pain, passion, freedom, the human condition that depicted just how sensitive a human being Sahir was. And how relevant his songs are to this day.
One of the fascinating stories is of his friendship with fellow-lyricist Javed Akhtar. The story goes that when Javed was a newcomer in the film industry and still trying to make his mark, he befriended Sahir who had by then established himself as one of the greats. Once on seeing his friend looking morose and dejected, Sahir realized that the young man - “naujawan” as he would address him - was perhaps in need of money. Without wanting to hurt his feelings, he simply told him to take a couple of hundred rupees from his coat pocket, albeit only as a loan. Javed acquiesced, insisting that he was only doing so, because he had requested him.
Years passed and the two friends kept meeting each other and every time Javed would remind him that he owed Sahir 200 rupees. It became a running joke between them through the years.
On the day Sahir died, one of the people attending to the last rites, came to Javed and said that some money needed to be paid to the grave digger. When Javed inquired about the amount, he was told it was Rs 200. Even in death, Sahir had made sure to free his friend from debt.
“The debt of friendship is never collected…and nothing is ever owed.” - Sharon Shinn.
Amazing! This is life! What goes around, comes around...
I hope he comes back to give us many more beautiful and meaningful and timeless songs once again...
What a story!!