Recalling people’s poet Shailendra in Raj Kapoor’s centenary year

Jalta Hai Punjab Hamara Pyara, Jalta hai Bhagat Singh Ki Annkon Ka Taara…Kaun Sukhane Chala Hai Panchon Nadiyon Ki Dhara, Jalta Hai Punjab Hamara...

These lines are from the famous nazm by Shailendra, who deeply moved by the wrath of the country’s partition in 1947 unleashed on Punjab, wrote and read it at a mushaira and left Raj Kapoor emotionally stirred. Impressed, Raj Kapoor, who was making the classic musical drama, Aag at that time, asked Shailendra to use the nazm in his film. Shailendra, who was a part of the leftist cultural movement at the time, refused only to meet Raj Kapoor a year later, to collaborate with him for his film Barsaat. Thus began one of the most successful ideological partnerships between two of the most influential creative minds of the Hindi cinema.

Celebrating the centenary year of the greatest showman of Hindi cinema Raj Kapoor, Majha House also remembered the 101 years of Shailendra, lyricist and poet, who famously became known as the ‘people’s poet’. Speakers at the event titled “Hai Aag Hamare Seene Mein” had Dr Gurupdesh Singh, poet and former faculty, Guru Nanak Dev University, Dr Raj Kumar Hans, historian and writer, and poet Saloni Poddar, reflecting upon Shailendra’s body of work, its context and his legacy.

“His poetry was unpretentious yet layered, as it reflected the odds and trials of the common man. He built his career largely in Bombay but his formative years were in Mathura. The real influence on his work was his country as this was the time when the cry for independence gained momentum and post-independent India left the common man struggling to stand on his feet. Not many know that he joined the Quit India movement and was jailed for it. He had a sensitive soul, the poet in him echoed people’s sentiments. His partnership with Raj Kapoor was ideological as well as personal. Both were sensitive souls,” said Dr Gurupdesh Singh.

Dr Raj Kumar said that while his most popular songs came from films like Awara, Shree 420, Anari, Junglee, Guide, Madhumati and Teesri Kasam, his poetry largely was a tool for the people, who militated against social and economic inequality. “While it’s a sensitive subject, Shailendra belonged to the Dalit community and he never really opened up on it during his lifetime. But the question of this caste identity reflected through his writings. Hailing from Bihar, Shailendra, born as Shankardas Kesrilal on August 30, 1923, spent time in Rawalpindi and Mathura before moving to Bombay. Once in school, he wanted to play hockey, but a few students objected to his taking to the field, passing caste-based remarks that came as jolt to him. He never played the sport again. His own lines sum up his literary journey, Sab kucch sikha humne, na seekhi hoshiyari,” said Dr Raj Kumar Hans.