Shakeel Badayuni

Biography

Shakeel Badayuni remains one of the most celebrated lyricists in Indian cinema, remembered for giving voice to love, longing, and devotion in songs that still touch millions of hearts. He was born on August 3, 1916, in Badaun, Uttar Pradesh, into a family with a tradition of learning and culture. From his school days, Shakeel showed a flair for poetry, and he developed his craft while studying at Aligarh Muslim University, where he actively participated in mushairas.

Moving to Bombay in the early 1940s, Shakeel worked at the government’s supply department before finding his way into films. His big breakthrough came with Baiju Bawra (1952), where his lyrics “Tu Ganga Ki Mauj” and “Man Tarpat Hari Darshan Ko Aaj” became instant classics. From there, his career flourished.

Shakeel’s words had a rare combination of simplicity and depth. He was able to express emotions with clarity while maintaining the lyrical beauty of Urdu poetry. In collaboration with composers like Naushad, Ravi, and Hemant Kumar, he wrote some of the most iconic songs in Hindi cinema. Films like Chaudhvin Ka Chand, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, Mughal-e-Azam, and Mere Mehboob carried his signature touch, blending poetry with melody in unforgettable ways.

Though he became famous as a film lyricist, Shakeel always remained a poet at heart. His ghazals and nazms reflected the same romantic sensibility that shone in his songs. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist three years in a row, from 1961 to 1963, a rare achievement that underscored his popularity and skill.

Behind his professional success, however, Shakeel’s later years were shadowed by ill health. He battled diabetes, which worsened over time, and he passed away on April 20, 1970, in Bombay at the age of 53.

Even today, Shakeel Badayuni’s songs continue to be sung, remembered, and cherished. His poetry turned cinema into something timeless, ensuring that his voice lives on through music that never fades.