The Urdu Ghazal Podcast, Season 5 Episode 22: Sahir Ludhianvi

Sahir Ludhianvi (1921-1980), born Abdul Hayee in Ludhiana, was one of the most influential Urdu poets and lyricists of the 20th century. Born into an affluent family, Sahir's childhood was marked by his parents' troubled marriage and eventual separation. These early experiences of emotional turmoil profoundly influenced his poetry, infusing it with themes of pain, disillusionment, and social critique. He studied at Government College, Ludhiana, but left without completing his degree, moving to Lahore, where he began his literary career.

         Sahir emerged as a prominent voice in progressive Urdu poetry during the 1940s. His first collection, "Talkhiyaan"(1945), established him as a bold new voice. After the Partition in 1947, he moved to Pakistan but quickly returned to India, settling in Mumbai, where he became one of Hindi cinema's most celebrated lyricists.

         His major works include poetry collections, such as "Talkhiyaan," as well as "Parchhaiyan" and "Ao Ke Koi Khwab Bunein." Sahir's influence extended beyond literature into popular culture, making profound social commentary accessible to millions. He remains one of Urdu's most quoted poets, remembered for wedding artistic excellence with unwavering social commitment.

         My book Sahir: A Literary Portrait was published by Oxford University Press in 2019. The Hindi version was published the following year by Vani Publications. The extended Urdu edition, beautifully translated by Stuti Agrawal, was published last year with great acclaim.