The Urdu Ghazal Podcast, Season 4 Episode 6--Kaif Bhopali

Kaif Bhopali was born in 1917 in Bhopal to a family of Kashmiri origin. He gained great fame as a literary poet and film lyricist. Who has not heard and appreciated Mohd Rafi’s classic hit song, ‘Chalo Dildaar Chalo,’ from Kamal Amrohi’s 1972 film ‘Pakeezah?’ Kaif Bhopali wrote that song. Jagjit Singh also popularized several ghazals by Kaif in his melodious voice. The following couplet, one of the most remarkable in Urdu ghazal poetry, was penned by Kaif as well.

zindagi shaayad isi ka naam hai

duuriyaan majbuuriyaan tanhaaiiyaan

 Kaif Bhopali’s published works include Kue Butaan (1963), Aahang-e Kaif (1993), and Chaand Ke Paar(2002), as well as several volumes of Quranic studies. He passed away in 1991.