Neeraj-Poet Of Varying Moods-Colours (Mahaul Aise Mein Neeraj Ko Bulaaya Jaaye) –Prof P K Sharma
While commemorating a doyen of poetry and lyricism of repute Gopaldas Saxena alias NEERAJ-a recipient of Padma Bhushan on the august occasion of his birth centenary, a celebrated English romantic poet John Keats here quite naturally haunts who created this evergreen a line,” A thing of beauty is a joy for ever.” So is indeed fantastically true in the letter and spirit of Neeraj an iconic poet of two centuries and his poetic creations too.
The fourth day of January 1925 saw the sun of creativity dawning in the village Puravali of District Etawah in Uttar Pradesh. A man who saw life in all its numerous hues from close quarters right from his early childhood striving and struggling consistently, facing its ups and down with grit, courage and determination did succeed in becoming a poet of name and fame winning kudos in all the four directions of the globe.
Beautifully and amusingly his poetry in both the classical and romantic schools of English poetry thought aims at amusing as well as manifesting meaningful and wonderful contours of realism, love, humanity ,deep philosophy, optimism ,romanticism, courage, melody and patriotism reflecting myriads of variety of moods, images, symbols and impressions of life painted in their natural colours through fabulous and fanciful word pictures. His poetry is thus a splendid bouquet of poems blended together to recreate poetry lovers and touch the very cores of their heads and hearts as well.
Influenced deeply by a renowned poet and scholar of international fame Dr. Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Neeraj learning the subtleties and fine traits of poetry from his mentor excelled making impossible look really possible impressing greats like the evergreen matinee idol Dev Anand, the greatest showman of Indian Cinema- Raj Kapoor, the great music composers like Sachin Dev Burman and Shankar Jaikishan.
As a student of English literature and language during school and college days,I had a lop sided and casual a view of men and matters. But then with the passage of time, light gradually began to dawn following strange revelations unfolding things. I had the innocent impression then that Dr. Harivansh Rai Bachchan was only a Hindi poet and scholar but once while going through the bibliography of Dr Balachandra Rajan’s book W.B.Yeats -A Critical Introduction, I learnt that Bachchan attained Doctor of Philosophy in English degree on a celebrated English poet William Butler Yeats.
Then I was also of the view that Mahatma Gandhi was an apostle of non-violence and peace right from the day one but after reading his tribute to Noble laureate Leo Tolstoy, I came to know that he started emulating tenet of non-violence only after reading and having been deeply influenced by Tolstoy’s novel “The Kingdom of God is within you.”
I did not initially take Neeraj too as a poet seriously and deeply but now of late his poetic creations and lyrics sound very appealing both to the head and heart. To begin with, I listened to him as a lyricist just thrilling his fans with his melodious numbers. But the true and deep essence of his poetry always brims with life became crystal clear only after repeated musings.
Fascinating it is to narrate some of the interesting tales seeing Neeraj’s slow but steady rise to a poet and then a lyricist of stature exhibiting his class in both the genres regaling his fans and lovers with beauties galore displaying a beautiful spectrum in his poetic art form. Both the form and substance of his creations spell bound the poetry and film lovers alike with amusement and so many positive-meaningful vibes a treat indeed to love, like and leap.
Attracting attention of film star Dev Anand at a poetical recitation meet where Dev Anand was the Chief Guest, proved to be a blessing in disguise for Neeraj who remarked I like your language then promising him to work together in future. Dev Anand’s plans of making of film Prem Pujari realised his dream of working with music icon Sachin Dev Burman.It was courtesy Dev Anand that he met Burman Dada who told Neeraj that he wanted a song that began with the word “Rangeela” thus was born the song “Rangeela Re Tere Rung Mein.” Impressed too much with the song’s heart rending rhythm Dada remarked, “I had given a difficult tune to fail you but you failed me with a gem of number.“Dada gave Neeraj sublime a piece of advice too to shun overused words like: “Shamma”, “Parvana”, “Sharaabi”, “Tamanna”, “Jaaneman”, “Jaan”, “Ishq” etc. refreshing his diction with words of the likes of “Bagiya,” “Geetanjali”, “Maala,” “Dhaaga” and” Madhur.”
Raj Kapoor called upon Neeraj to pen down unusual songs on term Joker for his movie “Mera Naam Joker. “After ruminating a lot thus he succeeded in creating these two songs:”Kehta Hai Joker Saara Zamaana Aadhi Haqeeqat Aadha Fasaana”(Entire world calls me a joker,a half truth a half fiction) and”Ae Bhai Jara Dekh Ke Chalo Aage Bhi Nahin Peeche Bhi Dayen Bhi Nahin Bayen Bhi Uppar Hi Nahin Neeche Bhi” (O dear, move carefully, not only in front but in rear as well, not only right but left too,not upwards but downwards too).An awkward situation arose when Neeraj shared these songs with legendary music composers Shankar and Jai Kishan who deemed these to be colloquial and ordinary category of songs not worth fine tuning. When Raj Kapoor learnt it, he then asked Neeraj to do something to tune these songs, he ultimately paved the way for iconic playback singers both Mukesh and Manna Dey to render their sweet voices to these numbers winning wide acclaim emblematizing deep philosophy of life.
Full with the milk of human kindness, Neeraj epitomised humanism creating these loving,captivating and exhilarating words dreaming of creating heaven on this earth,
“Bas Yehi Apradh Main Har Baar Karta Hoon -Aadmi Hoon Aadmi Se Pyar Karta Hoon Main Basaana Chahta Hoon Swarg Dharti Par-Aadmi Jis Mein Rahe Bas Aadmi Ban Kar”(I commit this crime time and again, Being a human being,I love human being.I wish to create heaven on earth in which a man should live becoming a man- film Pehchaan).
Dejected with worn out notion of religion in vogue, Neeraj thought of exploring such a religion tending to make a man indeed a man in the true spirit of man hence these lines flowing spontaneously:
“Ab To Mazhab Koi Aisa Bhi Banaaya Jaaye, Jis Mein Insaan Ko Insaan Banaya Jaye–Aag Behti Hai Jahan Ganga Mein Jhelum Mein Bhi, Koi Bataaye Kahan Jaa Ke Nahaaya Jaaye–Mere Dukh Dard Ka Tujh Par Ho Asar Kuchh Aisa Main Rahoon Bhookha To Tujh Se Bhi Na Khaaya Jaaye
Geet Gumsum Hai,Ghazal Chupp Hai,Rubai Hai Udaas Aise Mahaul Mein Neeraj Ko Bulaaya Jaaye.”(Now we must think of forming some such a religion in which a man dwells becoming a man, the fire which flows in the Ganges and in Jhelum too, someone should tell where to go for bathing, the impact of my woe be felt in some such a way, if I remain hungry then you may not feel like to eat, The lyric is lost, ghazal silent and rubai sad, in such an atmosphere Neeraj be called).
The spirit of patriotism also permeates through his poetry in the Prem Pujari number sung by Mohammad Rafi and Manna Dey :” Taqat Watan Ki Humse Hai Himmat Watan Ki Humse Hai Insaan Ke Hum Rakhwaale Hein..”(The strength of nation is because of us, the courage of nation is because of us,we are the saviours of men- Prem Pujari).
Fondly keeping in abeyance imaginary a call from heavens in a dialogue with some stranger waiting at his door to take him along he enters in to an amazing a dialogue in this fashion :
“Aisi Kya Baat Hai Ki Chalta Hoon Abhi Chalta Hoon Geet Aur Ek Jhoom Ke Ga Loon Kaise Chal Doon Abhi Kuchh Aur Jahan Mausam Hai Hone Wali Ki Subah Par Na Syahi Kam Hai Bhookh,Bekaari,Garibi Ki Ghani Chhaya Mein Har Jubaan Band Hai Har Nazar Pur Nam Hai Tan Ka Kuchh Taap Ghate,Man Ka Kuchh Paap Kate Dukhi Insaan Ke Aansoo Mein Naha Loon To Chaloon.
“( What an issue is this, I move along, just move now, let me sing a song more hilariously, how I move along now, fine weather is there, the dawn to step in, but light is not dim. In dark shadow of hunger, unemployment, poverty every tongue is silent, every eye in tears, heat of body gets reduced somewhat, some sin of mind gets mitigated, let me bath in the tear of miserable people, then to move along)”.
He eulogised love and romanticism in his lyrics in this style :“Phoolan Ke Rang Se Dil Ki Kalam Se Tujh Ko Likhi Roj Paati”(With the colours of flowers,the pen of heart daily I happen to write you letters – film Prem Pujari) “Subah Na Aayi Sham Na Aayi Jis Din Teri Yaad Na Aayi Yaad Na Aayi”( The morning neither appears nor the evening the day your memory does not haunt – film Cha Cha)”Choodi Nahin Yeh Mera Dil Hai Dekho Dekho Toote Na” ( It is not sheer bangle, look look it is my heart- film Gambler) and his launching pad lyric”Karvan Guzar Gaya Gubaar Dekhte Rahe Aur Ham Kharhe Kharhe Bahar Dekhte Rahe”(The procession passed, went on seeing the dust and we while standing went on seeing the spring- film Nayi Umar Ki Nayi Fasal) bringing him into the lime light of filmdom.
All in all, Neeraj was and is a poet who still is around us hither and thither aromatizing the atmosphere with his verses and rhymes with a silver lining, a ray of hope, a sunshine and a thrill for the humanity to thrive and feel elated.
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Contributed by :
Prof PK Sharma Freelance Journalist, Associate Professor of English(Retired), Pom Anm Nest, BARNALA(Punjab) 9417002504
Neeraj Pic Credits: Scroll