Remembering Faruq Kaiser

Lyricists form an integral part of a song, though they are also the most neglected angle of a song. A general music listener hardly cares for the lyricist, the major attractions being the singer and the tune. This is true for the old Hindi songs as well though majority of the songs had meaningful and befitting lyrics.
My last post on a lyricist was published six months back. And meanwhile I couldn’t come up with another. But today I’m here with a post on a lyricist. He is Urdu poet and lyricist, Faruq Kaiser (spelt variously as Farooq Kaiser, Faruk Kaisar, Farooq Qaisar, etc)

Source – Wikipedia

Though Faruq Kaiser is mainly remembered as a lyricist, he actually started as an assistant director in Hindi films. It is said that his flair for writing made him help in dialogue writing and screenplay. He also worked as chief assistant director for a few movies. He in fact worked as an assistant director for a few films before he officially started as a lyricist. In the later parts of his career, he was assistant director for the movies, Prince, Laal Patthar, Kachche Dhage, Rocky etc. For a few films like Faulad (1963), he worked as lyricist, dialogue writer and associate director.

Born in 1918 in a jeweller’s family, he was 2nd among 12 siblings. He was immensely interested in reading, which brought him close to poetry and literature. He was introduced to Hindi films by Kamran Khan (Farah Khan and Sajid Khan’s father), who worked in the capacity of producer, director and actor.

He started his career with a couple of songs for the movie, Rooplekha in 1949. The songs were composed by Khan Mastana. In the coming years, Faruq Kaiser wrote for a few films. None of the songs are particularly popular or known.

The films include,
Haste Rehna (1950) Music by Wadhwa
Simba (1951) Music by D C Dutt
Aazmaish (1952) Music by Ninu Majumdar
Malika Salomi (1953) Music by Krishna Dayal and Iqbal
Jaadugar (1954) Music by Iqbal
Sakhi Lutera (1955) Music by Iqbal
Madhur Milan (1955) he penned just one song, composed by Bulo C Rani Jasoos (1955) he wrote two songs, sung by Mubarak Begum and composed by Iqbal.
Sipahsalar (1956) Music by Iqbal

I’ve tried to select a few songs from the above movies.

Chheen Liya Re Jiya – Simba (1951) Sulochana Kadam / Music – D C Dutt
A very pleasant and attractive song to open the list. I must confess I heard it for the first time, but I took an immediate liking to it. The song has no extraordinary lyrics, yet the simplicity of the lyrics at times attract you more than a much complicated one! And Sulochana Kadam is wonderful in the song.

Armaanon Ki Duniya Mein – Aazmayish (1952) Sulochana Kadam / Music – Ninu Majumdar
This song also wasn’t known to me. The song uses the words typically popular in that era, still it’s good to listen to. Again Sulochana Kadam sings it very well. I kept on remembering Toote Hue Armanon Ki Ek Duniya while listening to it, as not only the mood, but the tune and the lyrics were somewhat similar.

Tumse Karte Na Agar Pyar To – Sakhi Lutera (1955) Asha Bhosle / Music – Iqbal
Again a song that wasn’t known to me at all, nor the name of the film was. But I must say, it’s a good ghazal, with good lyrics, good tune and orchestration and of course really good rendition by Asha Bhosle.

Dil Ne Chheda Hai Tarana – Sipahsalar (1956) Asha Bhosle & Talat / Music – Iqbal
I think this song is comparatively more familiar than the other songs covered so far. A very romantic song, structured like a ghazal. The Matka rhythm and a smoothly flowing tune make it pleasing. The singers, to top it all, sing it in a really charming way.

It was almost after a decade that he got his first hit. The film Aji Bas Shukriya had four lyricists, but the most popular song was written by Faruq Kaiser.

Sari Sari Raat Teri Yaad Sataye – Aji Bas Shukriya (1958) Lata Mangeshkar / Music – Roshan
The song still maintains its popularity and it surely deserves it. I like the song, though I don’t like its picturisation. The song has good lyrics. It is said that Faruq Kaiser wrote the song when his wife was away from him, taking treatment for tuberculosis in Mumbai. Perhaps that’s why the emotions it creates appear genuine.

He had a successful association with Kalyanji Anandji in the late 50s, and it continued in the 80s as well. Let’s have a look at some of his songs with the duo.

Dil Lootnewale Jadugar Ab Maine – Madari (1959) Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh / Music – Kalyanji Anandji
The song needs no introduction. It’s one of the most popular songs of Hindi cinema. After the movie, Nagin, sapera dhoon was very popular and Kalyanji was one of the performers in the song. He tried a similar kind of experiment in this romantic duet. Again I would say, the lyrics are simple and the simplicity is captivating.

Naam Tera Leke Mohe – Delhi Junction (1960) Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus / Music – Kalyanji Anandji
I don’t know if this one is popular or not, though it’s one of my favourites. A good song to listen to, playful and melodious. Video of the song is also available. I think the dancer is Cuckoo, and the main lead, Ajit and Shakeela are in the audience.

Saaz e Dil Chhed De – Passport (1961) Lata Mangeshkar & Rafi / Music – Kalyanji Anandji
The song is a romantic duet, with a dreamy sounding orchestration. It seems certain words in the second stanza were changed after picturisation. The lip movements don’t match. But the lyrics are good and dreamy too. Madhubala looks extremely beautiful, though we can make out that certain shots are picturised on her dummy, mainly the ones when the pair is together, in the later half of the song.

Tujhe Chand Kahun Ya Phool – Sunehri Nagin (1963) Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh / Music – Kalyanji Anandji
A very melodious romantic song composed again in Sapera dhoon. The movie had all the songs picturised in colour, while the remaining movie was black and white. I’ve included around 4 to 5 romantic duets on the list, all of which are very popular and good.

In the same year, 1963, he wrote for three more films, all of which had very popular songs. We may take it as a peak of his career. None of those films belonged to big banners. All were costume dramas or stunt-action films. But the films were hits, thanks to the melodious songs. Let me present some of those songs.

Yaad Tori Aayi Main To – Faulad (1963) Asha Bhosle / Music – G S Kohli
All the songs from Faulad were good. As I’ve already covered a few earlier, today I’ll highlight a soulful song picturised on Mumtaz. The song has great tune and orchestration, perfect rendition by Asha Bhosle. And of course the lyrics are good too.

Chori Chori Jo Tumse Mili To – Parasmani (1963) Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh / Music – Laxmikant Pyarelal
Parasmani was Laxmikant Pyarelal’s first hit score. The film had three lyricists, and a couple of songs were penned by Faruq Kaiser. I chose the romantic duet over the dance number by Helen. The song depicts a playful conversation between the lovers. In addition to simple but sweet lyrics, the song has really good musical arrangement and excellent rendition by singers.

Agar Main Puchhoo Jawab Doge – Shikari (1963) Lata Mangeshkar & Rafi / Music – G S Kohli
Shikari was also an action movie, and in contrast to Faulad, Faruq Kaiser had the opportunity to write the majority of the songs. Here again I chose the soft romantic duet, that has good lyrics and good tune.

Let’s listen to some of the songs from the 60s and the 70s, penned by Faruq Kaiser. Though his songs for all the four movies in 1963 were hugely popular, he was mainly associated with B grade movies. Majority of the songs were not popular. He worked with all the composers right from Nashad, Usha Khanna, Robin Bannerji, Lala Sattar to the stalwarts like O P Nayyar, Shankar Jaikishan. After the untimely death of Shailendra, Shankar Jaikishan offered him songs in Prince, Jahan Pyar Mile. But by that time their own magic was on a downfall and couldn’t help Faruq Kaiser build his career. The song, ‘Baat Zara Hai Aapas Ki’ from Jahan Pyar Mile (1970) fetched Sharda the best female playback singer Filmfare award. It was written by Faruq Kaiser. For me he was at his best in romantic songs, but I couldn’t accommodate all of my favourites. He also penned bhajans, cabaret, Mujra songs, even a Lawani.

Bhajan Bina Baware – Rooplekha (1962) Rafi / Music – Nashad
I think the bhajan is quite popular, though I doubt if anyone knows about the lyricist. The song borrows its mukhda from a bhajan by Sant Kabir. The film is also known for the Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur duet, Chand Hai Taare Bhi Hai. Faruq Kaiser wrote all the songs for the movie.

Chand Gagan Mein Ek Hai – Aandhi Aur Toofan (1964) Mubarak Begum / Music – Robin Bannerjee
A really wonderful lullaby. Very soothing words, subtle orchestration, and apt tune. And for me one of the best songs by Mubarak Begum. I also like, Irada Na Tha Aapse Pyar Ka from the same movie.

Madhosh Hawa Matwali Fiza – Prince (1969) / Music – Shankar Jaikishan
The song portrays the philosophy followed by the hero of the film. A good song. The song is a bit lengthy, as it appears in two parts in the movie. The audio version is still more lengthy. Faruq Kaiser wrote three songs for the movie and also worked as assistant director.

Teri Neeli Neeli Jacket – Taxi Driver (1973) Asha Bhosle & Rafi / Music – O P Nayyar
Not a great song, I agree! But the rhyming words, Jacket, pocket, locket, and बादल, काजल, पागल along with a typical rhythmic tune by the rhythm king, O P Nayyar make it very enjoyable.

Muskurata Hua Gul Khilata Hua – Lahoo Ke Do Rang (1979) Kishore Kumar / Music – Bappi Lahiri
A typical Kishore Kumar song from the late 70s. Though I’m not a great fan of the song, it’s not at all bad. I guess it’s still very popular among KK fans.

He continued his journey in the 80s where he wrote for composers like Bappi Lahiri, Rajesh Roshan, Kalyanji Anandji, Laxmikant Pyarelal. I’m not much of a fan of the songs from Qurbani, so you won’t find the title track (which was Faruq Kaiser’s only song for the movie) on my list, though I guess it’s popular. For the majority of the films, his contribution as a lyricist was restricted to a song or two. His only song for the movie, Disco Dancer (1982) ‘Koi Yahan Aha Nache Nache’ is also popular, though not my favourite. But I think a mention of these songs is लाज़मी, while writing a post on Faruq Kaiser. Now I’ll present a few of his songs from the 80s.

May Se Meena Se Na Saqi Se – Khudgarz (1987) Sadhna Sargam & Mohammad Aziz / Music – Rajesh Roshan
The onscreen pair of Neelam and Govinda was very popular. I remember listening to the song as a kid. Though the beats of the songs attract more attention, the lyrics are good too. And in 2021, the song appears so cute and innocent. The song is still popular and sounds really nice as compared to the other songs of the 80s.

Humsafar Milti Hai Manzil – Insaaf (1987) Anuradha Paudwal / Music – Laxmikant Pyarelal
I had vague memories of this song, which I revisited after more than 30 years. It’s a good meaningful song, inspirational and motivational. I’m happy to add it to today’s list.

Na Kisi Ka Dil Mujhe Chahiye – Naqab (1989) Asha Bhosle / Music – Kamaal Makhdoom
Naqab was Raj Khosla’s last film as a director, which featured 8 songs written by Faruq Kaiser. All the songs were good, though neither the songs nor the film could be popular. I’ve selected a beautiful ghazal rendered by Asha Bhosle.

In his career spanning over five decades, he wrote around 390 songs for about 115 films. His first movie as a lyricist was Rooplekha (1949) and last movie was Naqab (1989). The latter was released posthumously. He died on 10th November 1987.

(The post in based on information gathered from Wikipedia, Cinemaazi, and a Marathi book on Hindi film lyricists by Vijay Padalkar)

Please add your favourite song by Faruq Kaiser.

Disclaimer –
Mehfil Mein Meri, claims no credit for any image, screenshots or songs posted on this site. Images on this blog are posted to make the text interesting. The images and screenshots are the copyright of their original owners. The song links are shared from YouTube, only for the listening convenience of music lovers. The copyright of these songs rests with the respective owners, producers and music companies.