Remembering great lyricist Kafi Azmi. I have had the honor to meet him and his Begum Saheba at ours in Karachi two plus decades back when my father held a dinner in their and Ismat Chughtai’s honor… Raju Jamil, Karachi.
Sayyid Akhtar Hussein Rizvi, known as Kaifi Azmi (14 January 1919 – 10 May 2002) was an Indian Urdu poet. He will always be remembered who brought Urdu literature to Indian motion pictures. Azmi’s work in films includes working as a lyricist, writer and actor.
January 14 marks the birth anniversary of the legendary poet Kafi Azmi; Paying tribute to the great lyricist by some of his timeless numbers.
Among his most beautiful lyrics Kafi Azmi’s shining gem is Waqt ne Kiya Kya Haseen Sitam Tum Rahe Na Tum Hum Rahe Na Hum from Guru Dutt’s classic KAAGAZ KE PHOOL (1959). The song exceptionally expresses the anguish of two people who had loved each other but had changed over time. This song is one of Kaifi Azmi’s most cherished numbers.
Though Kafi Azmi became immortal with Kar Chale Hum Fida Jaan O Tan Saathiyo…in Chetan Anand’s HAQEEQAT” (1964) but the movie also had two more exceptional songs that beautifully bring out the emotions of solder’s and their deprived wives in the songs Hoke Majboor Mujhe Usne Bhulaya Hoga…. and Zara si Aahat Hoti Hai….
Yet another song that marvels the genius of Kafi Sahab is the soulful song Meri Awaz Suno Pyaar Ka Raaz Suno… that he penned as tribute on the demise of Jawaharlal Nehru.
With Chetan Anand’s HEER RANJHA, that had some sterling hits like Ye Duniya Ye Mehfil Mere Kaam ki Nahin… and Do Dil Toote Do Dil Haare…Kafi Azmi created history by writing the entire dialogues of the film in poetry.
Surprisingly Kaif Azmi even worked with Bappi Lahiri but gave such melancholic numbers like Mana Ho Tum Behad Haseen… sung by Yesudas.
Some of his other timeless songs include Chalte Chate Yun Hi Koi Mil Gaya Tha (PAKEEZAH), Jane Kya Dhoondti Rahti (SHOLA AUR SHABNAM); Jhum Jhum Dhalatee Rat Leke (KOHRA), Yaa Dil Kee Suno Dooniyawalo (ANUPAMA), Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe (ARTH) and many more.
Waqt Ne Kiya Kya Haseen Seetam (Kagaz Ke Phool, 1959)~~
http://youtu.be/MZ3S4-bm70s
Jane Kya Dhundti Rehti Hain (Shola Aur Shabnam, 1961)~~
http://youtu.be/IcMVMP5_ugM
Kar Chale Hum Fida (Haqeeqat, 1964)~~
http://youtu.be/nBbmW9JpbUg
Ya Dil Ki Suno (Anupama, 1966)
http://youtu.be/poXBa76JNKk
Meri Awaz Suno (Naunihal, 1967)~~
http://youtu.be/0jlpfBbzLCI
Yeh Duniya Yeh Mehfil (Heer Ranjha, 1970)~~
http://youtu.be/SuFIMnqb6H4
Chalte Chalte Yunhi Koi Mil Gaya Tha (Pakeezah, 1972)~~
http://youtu.be/ubQ9hrKO6XI
Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho (Arth, 1983)~~
http://youtu.be/3unptPIAdMk