Rajendra Krishan- A Low Profile Lyricist and Script Writer

Over 200 films as a lyricist; and an incredible 100-plus as a dialogue writer, a huge track record of hits in each capacity in a span of 50 years, Rajendra Krishan was a low profile giant.Though he never formed a prolific team with any specific composer,he wrote hits with generations of composers, from Husnlal-Bhagatram, Shyam Sunder and Anil Biswas to C.Ramachandra and later Hemant Kumar, Madan Mohan, S.D.Burman, and R D Burman.

He wrote all types of songs from philosophical to peppy songs like 'Enna Menna Dekka'(Asha), Gore Gore Banke Chhore(Samadhii)'Aa Jaan-E-Jaan' (Intequam) . Check out a few perennial pearls from his treasury: 'Chup Chup Khade Ho' (Badi Behen) Yeh Hawa Yeh Raat Yeh Chandni(Sangdil), 'Yeh Zindagi Ussiki Hai' (Anarkali), 'Chal Udd Jaa Re Panchhi' (Bhabhi) and 'Yun Hasraton Ke Daag' (Adalat), Woh Bhooli Dastaan' (Sanjog), 'Man Dole Mera Tan Dole' (Nagin) or Mere Saamnewali Khidki Mein' (Padosan), 'Govinda Aala Re' (Bluffmaster), and the patriotic 'Jahaan Daal Daal Par' (Sikander-E-Azam).

He was born on 6 June 1919. In the mid-1940s, he shifted to Bombay (now Mumbai) to become a screenwriter in the Hindi film industry. His first screenplay was Janta (1947). His first film as a lyricist was Zanjeer (1947). He was first noted for the script and lyrics of the Motilal-Suraiya starrer Aaj Ki Rat (1948). He consolidated his position as a lyricist with the films Badi Bahen (1949) and Lahore (1949) and the song he wrote after the death of Mahatma Gandhi,Suno Suno Aye Duniyawalon, Bapu Ki Yeh Amar Kahani. The song was sung by Mohammed Rafi and composed by Husnlal Bhagatram, and was a great hit.

At his peak, he was called the King of Madras He became a favorite of the South Filmmakers who made remakes of south hit films in Hindi. He reworked these scripts and penned the Hindi dialogues with a pan-Indian appeal, and among such blockbusters were Nazrana, Rakhi (produced by South titan Sivaji Ganesan), Shaadi, Main Chup Rahungi, Waris, Gopi and of course the classic Pyar Kiye Jaa.

Rajinder Krishan won Filmfare Award for best lyricist for the movie Khandan (1965) for the song "Tumhi mere mandir, tumhi meri pooja". Some of his popular songs are 'Bholi Surat Dil Ke Khote' and 'Shola Jo Bhadke' (Albela), 'Aplam Chaplam' (Azaad), Itna Na Mujhse Tu Pyar Badha' (Chhaya), and 'Aaj Ki Mulaqaat Bas Itni' (Bharosa) in the '60s and in the 70s 'Sukh Ke Sab Saathi' (Gopi), 'O Mere Raja' (Johny Mera Naam), 'Dal Roti Khaao' (Jwar Bhata), 'Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas' (Blackmail), 'Rafta Rafta' (Kahani Kismat Ki), 'Dekha Na Haaye Re Socha Na' (Bombay To Goa) and many more.

He also wrote songs in a few films of the 80s. The last film was Aag Ka Dariya released after his death in 1990. He died on 23 September 1987 in Mumbai.