The Poet · 1921 – 1980
साहिर लुधियानवी
Sahir Ludhianvi
Region
Punjab
Language
urdu / hindi
Signature rasa
Shringara
Works · archive
109
Sahir Ludhianvi possessed a voice that refused to separate the agony of romance from the brutal inequalities of the world. Born Abdul Hayee in 1921 in Punjab, he adopted the pen name Sahir, meaning magician, and proved it entirely accurate through a lifelong mastery of Urdu poetry.
As a prominent figure in the Progressive Writers Movement, he rejected the traditional obsession with the idealized beloved. Instead, he forced his readers to look at the poverty, the exploitation, and the hypocrisies of society that destroy love before it can even bloom.
When he entered the Hindi film industry, he fundamentally changed the stature of the lyricist. Directors and composers adapted their music to his words, rather than the other way around.
Through films like Pyaasa and Kabhi Kabhie, he brought profound literary dignity and fierce anti establishment critique to mainstream cinema. He passed away in 1980, but his poetry remains a burning torch.
Sahir remains the ultimate poet of the disenchanted, a man who wrote beautiful verses to express an absolute refusal to accept an ugly world.
Chronology
A life, paced like a poem.
1921
Born Abdul Hayee in Ludhiana, Punjab.
1943
Published his first poetry collection, 'Talkhiyaan', which became immensely popular.
1948
Moved to Bombay after partition and began writing lyrics for films.
1957
Wrote the legendary lyrics for Guru Dutt's masterpiece 'Pyaasa'.
1971
Awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India.
1980
Passed away in Mumbai.
Essential
Start with these.
Three doorways into Sahir Ludhianvi, chosen for how quickly they show you what this voice sounds like.
Shringara
01अभी न जाओ छोड़ कर के दिल अभी भरा नहीं
Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar Ke Dil Abhi Bhara Nahi
The clearest statement of shringara in this catalogue, begin here.
Read the poem →3 verses
Karuna
02दिल जो न कह सका वही राज़-ए-दिल
Dil Jo Na Kah Saca Vahi Raz-E-Dil
A shorter turn in karuna, 4 verses long.
Read the poem →4 verses
Shringara
03दिल कहे रुक जा रे रुक जा, यहीं पे कहीं
Dil Kahe Ruk Ja Re Ruk Ja, Yahin Pe Kahin
A shorter turn in shringara, 4 verses long.
Read the poem →4 versesFull Catalogue
Every composition, by mood.
109 entries · 5 rasas
View full catalogue →करुणा
Karuna
30 compositions
- 018 versesRead →
आज
Aaj
- 024 versesRead →
हुस्न हाज़िर है मुहब्बत की सज़ा पाने को
Husn Hazir Hai Muhabbat Ki Saza Pane Ko
- 036 versesRead →
फ़नकार
Fankar
- 043 versesRead →
दुनिया करे सवाल तो हम क्या जवाब दें
Duniya Kare Sawal To Hum Kya Jawab Den
- 056 versesRead →
फ़रार
Farar
- 063 versesRead →
किस का रस्ता देखे, ऐ दिल, ऐ सौदाई
Kis Ka Rasta Dekhe, Ai Dil, Ai Saudai
- 0765 versesRead →
परछाइयाँ (गजल)
Parchhaiyan (Gajal)
- 083 versesRead →
तेरे दर पे आया हूँ कुछ कर के जाऊँगा
Tere Dar Pe Aya Hu Kuch Kar Ke Jaunga
वीर
Veera
15 compositions
- 014 versesRead →
मेरे गीत तुम्हारे हैं
Mere Geet Tumhare Hain
- 024 versesRead →
उदास न हो
Udas Na Ho
- 038 versesRead →
ज़िन्दगी से उन्स है
Zindagi Se Uns Hai
- 046 versesRead →
ये देश है वीर जवानों का
Ye Desh Hai Veer Jawanon Ka
- 056 versesRead →
आओ कि कोई ख़्वाब बुनें
Aao Ki Koi Khwab Bunen
- 064 versesRead →
न मुँह छुपा के जियो
Na Munh Chupa Ke Jiyo
- 075 versesRead →
मैं ज़िंदा हूँ ये मुश्तहर कीजिए
Main Zinda Hoon Ye Mushtahar Kijie
- 084 versesRead →
अब कोई गुलशन ना उजड़े
Ab Koi Gulshan Na Ujde
शृंगार
Shringara
49 compositions
- 014 versesRead →
अब आए या न आए
Ab Aye Ya Na Aye
- 024 versesRead →
गैरों पे करम, अपनों पे सितम
Gairon Pe Karam, Apnon Pe Sitam
- 034 versesRead →
नग़मा-ओ-शेर की सौगात किसे पेश करूँ
Naghma-O-Sher Ki Saugat Kise Pesh Karun
- 046 versesRead →
मिलती है जिंदगी में मोहब्बत कभी कभी
Milti Hai Zindagi Mein Mohabbat Kabhi Kabhi
- 056 versesRead →
वादा करो नहीं छोड़ोगी तुम मेरा साथ
Vada Karo Nahi Chhodogi Tum Mera Saath
- 064 versesRead →
तुम मुझे भूल भी जाओ तो ये हक़ है तुमको
Tum Mujhe Bhool Bhi Jao To Ye Haq Hai Tumko
- 078 versesRead →
सांझ की लाली सुलग-सुलग कर
Sanjh Ki Lali Sulag Sulag Kar
- 083 versesRead →
अभी न जाओ छोड़ कर के दिल अभी भरा नहीं
Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar Ke Dil Abhi Bhara Nahi
शान्त
Shanta
14 compositions
- 015 versesRead →
सज़ा का हाल सुनाये जज़ा की बात करें
Saza Ka Haal Sunaye Jaza Ki Baat Karen
- 024 versesRead →
कुछ कत'ए
Kuch Qat-e
- 036 versesRead →
गंगा तेरा पानी अमृत
Ganga Tera Paani Amrit
- 044 versesRead →
लागा चुनरी में दाग
Laga Chunri Mein Daag
- 055 versesRead →
मेरे भैया मेरे चँदा मेरे अनमोल रतन
Mere Bhaiya Mere Chanda Mere Anmol Ratan
- 064 versesRead →
बच्चे मन के सच्चे
Bacche Man Ke Sacche
- 0715 versesRead →
नज़रे-कालिज
Nazre-College
- 089 versesRead →
मैं पल दो पल का शायर हूँ
Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar Hoon
हास्य
Hasya
1 composition