Qamar Jalalabadi
Om Prakash Bhandari (9 March 1917 – 9 January 2003),.
Early life
He was born as Om Prakash Bhandari in a Punjabi family on 9 March 1917
Career
Attracted by the promise of a career in the film industry, Qamar Jalalabadi came to Pune in the early 1940s. In 1942, he wrote lyrics for his first film Zamindar which was a Pancholi Pictures production and the songs of this film were very well received, especially the song sung by Shamshad Begum "Duniya Me Garibon Ko Aaraam Nahi Milta", which also had a line or two written by writer and poet Behzad Lucknawi.[3]
Subsequently, Jalalabadi relocated to
Some of his memorable songs from his early include "Sunti Nahi Duniya Kabhi Fariyaad Kisi Ki" (Renuka, 1947) and the ghazal "Dil Kis Liye Rota Hai...Pyaar Ki Duniya Me, Aisa Hi Hota Hai" (sung by Naseem Banu for the film Mulaquat in 1947). The noted dancer Sitara Devi performed some of his songs in Chand (1944). Chand was one of the earliest of Qamarji's successful and memorable films. "Ik Dilke Tukde Hazaar Huye, Koi Yahan Gira Koi Wahan Gira…" in Pyar Ki Jeet (1948 film), reflected his own tragedies and philosophy of life.[citation needed] His brush with comedy was in Aansoo Aur Muskan with, " Guni Jano, Bhakt Jano…" sung by Kishore Kumar as an actor in the movie.[4]
As a lyricist, Qamar Jalalabadi was very versatile. On one hand he wrote mesmeric duets like "Sun Meri Saanwari Mujhko Kahin Tum Bhool Na Jaana…" sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi (film: Aansoo 1953) and on the other hand he penned comic relief songs like "Khush Hai Zamana Aaj Pehli Tarikh Hai" endured with full throttle gusto by Kishore Kumar (film: Pehli Tarikh-1954). This song turned into veritable anthem and was played on Radio Ceylon on the first of every month for decades, and it probably still is.
The film
In his long career span he worked for several film companies like Prabhat Film Company, Pancholi Pictures, Filmistan Ltd., Famous Pictures, Minerva Movietone, Prakash Pictures, Wadia Films Ltd., Filmkar Ltd., Sippy Films, N.C. Sippy Films, Shri Shakti Films, Mitra Productions and many more.
He was one of the founder members of prestigious organisations like
He was an poet (shayar) and read poetry at several mushairas all over India.[3]
Personal life
In his personal life, Jalalabadi was a highly religious person and he chanted excerpts from the
He had several friends and hundreds of fans whom he called his "pankhe". His fan mail came in various languages; Hindi, English, Urdu and many regional languages as well. He replied to all his fan mail and judiciously sent an autographed photo as well.
References
- ^ Qamar Jalalabadi dead
- ^ a b c d e Profile of Qamar Jalalabadi on indiasamvad website Archived 13 June 2018 at the Wayback Machine, Published 10 March 2017, Retrieved 24 June 2017
- ^ a b c d e f Profile of Qamar Jalalabadi on cinestaan.com website, Retrieved 24 June 2017
- ^ [1]Subhashini Swar (Daughter) Archived 3 August 2018 at the Wayback Machine