The Urdu Ghazal Podcast, Season 5 Episode 19: Majrooh Sultanpuri

Majrooh Sultanpuri (1919-2000) was one of Urdu literature's most celebrated poets and a prominent lyricist in Hindi cinema. Born as Asrar ul Hassan Khan in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, he adopted the pen name ‘Majrooh’ (meaning ‘wounded’), which reflected the melancholic undertones often found in his work. He began his literary career as a progressive poet, deeply influenced by the Progressive Writers' Movement in Urdu literature. His early poetry dealt with themes of social justice, love, and human suffering, earning him recognition in literary circles. He was particularly known for his ghazals and nazms that captured the essence of human emotions with remarkable sensitivity. In the 1940s, Majrooh transitioned to writing lyrics for Bollywood films, where he achieved tremendous success. He collaborated with legendary music directors like Naushad, S.D. Burman and R.D. Burman created memorable songs. His film songs retained the literary quality of his poetry while appealing to mass audiences. Majrooh wrote lyrics for over 300 films during his career and received several awards, including the Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist multiple times. Beyond cinema, he remained committed to Urdu poetry throughout his life, publishing several collections of his work. He passed away in 2000, leaving behind a rich legacy that bridged classical Urdu literature and popular culture.