Shailendra: poet of the masses, not given his due in Hindi literature

Andar Ki Aag (The Fire within) includes all the poems written by Shailendra, who is more popular as a film lyricist among the masses. But he was so much more than just a lyricist. He was a poet of the masses and has never been given his due place in the pantheon of Hindi literature.

According to the book, filmmaker Raj Kapoor used to call him the ‘Pushkin of India’. Hindi’s revered writer Phanishwar Nath Renu called him ‘Kaviraj’ and the then Union Minister, Babu Jagjivan Ram, on his birthday, on August 30, 1966, said he was the most popular ‘Harijan’ poet of India after Sant Ravi Das.

There are many things which have not been mentioned in this book, and one of the significant facts of his life was that as a child, he was not allowed to play hockey because he was a Dalit. Shankardas Kesarilal Shailendra was born on August 30, 1923 and belonged to the cobbler Dhursia caste. Right from childhood, the seed of dissent against caste system and capitalism was sowed in him. The various deprivations he suffered because of being a Dalit nurtured his outlook.

Shailendra went through many hardships and poverty forced him and his brother to smoke beedis to suppress hunger in their young days when their father fell sick. But his misfortune did not end here. He lost his only sister because he could not afford her medical treatment and lost his faith in God as well. This explains the poet’s gradual leaning towards and then, finding trust in the leftist ideology.

He joined the leftist cultural movement, Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA), and wrote some memorable poetry which was at the same time emotional, passionate, revolutionary and inspiring.

Not many people are aware that the most popular slogan for workers’ struggle or for any protesting group - “Har zor zulm kii takkar me hadtaal hamaara naara hai” - was penned by Shailendra.

The following words penned by him have almost achieved cult status: “Tu Zinda hai, tu Zindagi kii jeet par yekeen kar/agar kahin hai swarg to/utaar laa zameen par.” (You are alive, so have faith in the victory of life/ If there is a heaven, then bring it on earth.)

It was in one of the IPTA programmes that he was noticed by filmmaker Raj Kapoor and this association culminated in a lifetime friendship and simply unforgettable lyrics for the Hindi film industry.

He could summarise the intricate Indian philosophy in lucid lyrical words like “Sajan re juth mat baolo, khuda ke paas jaana hai… or ‘Wahan koun hai tera, musafir jayega kahan..” or “Kisee ki muskurahton pe ho nisaar…” He could write the most romantic songs like “Pyar hua iqrar hua hai…” or a satire on the ruling –“Dil ka haal sune dilwaala…”

With such an amazing range of creativity, such melody and passion and simplicity, it is hard to believe that Hindi literature and people who bear its flag could not carve out a place that he deserves.

But, Shailendra’s words ensure that his works will possibly outlive most of the works of the so-called prestigious modern poets:

“Buri hai aag pet ki, bure hain dil ke daag ye/ na dab sakenge, ek din banenge inquilab ye/ girenge zulm ke mahal, banenge fir Naveen ghar/ agar kahin hai swarg to utaar laa zameen par.

(Unkind is the fire of hunger, even worse the stains of heart

Not something that can be suppressed, it is bound to grow into revolution

The mansions of cruelty must tumble down, giving way for new houses

If there is heaven anywhere, bring it down on the earth)