Kavi Pradeep dead

MUMBAI, Dec 11 (PTI) — Famous poet-lyricist Kavi Pradeep, whose song 'Ae mere watan ke logon' brought tears to the eyes of the country’s first Prime Minister Pt Jawaharlal Nehru, in the early ’60s in the wake of the Chinese aggression, died here this evening.

The 83-year-old winner of the 1997-98 Dada Saheb Phalke Award, who not only wrote but also sang many of his immortal lyrics, died of an acute bronchitis attack at his residence, a family friend said.

Pradeep, whose real name was Ramchandra Narayanji Dwivedi, was hospitalised for a heart ailment two days ago and was discharged but had an attack of acute bronchitis today.

The end came around 6.50 p.m. at his residence at Ville Parle in North West Mumbai, family friend Avinash Pande said.

The poet sang some of his own songs, such as 'Dekh tere sansar ki halat kya ho gaye bhagwan', 'Pinjre ke panchhi tera haal na jaane koi', 'Tere dwar khara bhagwan', 'koi lakh kare chaturai', which went on to become immortal classics in the annals of Indian music.

It was Lata Mangeshkar’s rendition of 'Ae mere watan ke logon' — the most famous of Pradeep’s songs — in the wake of the Chinese aggression which had brought tears to Pandit Nehru’s eyes.

Affectionately called 'Bapu' and 'Panditji' in the film industry, he is survived by his wife and two daughters. The funeral will be held tomorrow.

Pradeep made his debut in Bombay Talkies' 'Kangan' as a lyricist and created an immense fan following through his heart-stirring songs.

Pradeep wrote songs for a number of films, such as 'Chal chal re naujawan', 'Bandhan', 'Kabhi Dhoop Kabhi Chhawn' and 'Jai Santoshi Maa'.

'Aankh Ka Tara' was the last film for which the veteran poet wrote songs.