Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
Encyclopedia
Raja Mehdi Ali Khan was an India
n poet, writer and lyricist.
Raja Mehdi Ali Khan was born in Karimabad
in undivided India
. His early tutoring was under his mother Hebay Saheba soon after he had lost his father. Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal has acknowledged Hebay Saheba as a leading Urdu poet. S. Mukherji the partner in Filmistan Studios
gave Raja Mehdi the poet a chance to write lyrics in his film Do Bhai (1946). Songs like Mera Sunder Sapna and Yaad Karoge from this film became instant hits. In 1947, in spite of communal riots, Raja Mehdi and his wife Tahira decided to stay in India rather than migrating to the newly formed Pakistan
. In 1948 his patriotism manifested in his songs Watan ki raah mein and Todi todi bachay from the film Shaheed
starring Dilip Kumar
and Kamini Kaushal
.
Raja Mehdi worked with both established and new music composers. Madhosh (1950) was music composer, Madan Mohan's debut film with Raja Mehdi. He had been associated with music composers like Iqbal Qureshi, Babul, S. Mohinder
, Chic Chocolate and Rono Mukerjhi to name some. He has written some wonderful songs with C. Ramchandra
(Mere piya gaye Rangoon) and O. P. Nayyar
(Main Pyar Ka Rahi Hoon). However, he formed an immortal team with Madan Mohan.
Anpadh, Mera Saaya, Who Kaun Thi, Neela Akash, Dulhan Ek Raat Ki and Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah were some outstanding films where this duo worked together. Raja Mehdi Ali Khan was the first lyricist to introduce Aap in film songs, such as Aap ki nazron…. (Anpadh
), Aap kyon roye (Woh Kaun Thi?
), Aap ne apna banaya (Dulhan Ek Raat Ki). His song Lag ja gale from the film Woh Kaun Thi? was one amongst the top ten all time favorites in film history to be 'retired' from Antakshari
on Zee TV
. He died on 29 July 1966.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n poet, writer and lyricist.
Raja Mehdi Ali Khan was born in Karimabad
Karimabad (Karachi)
Karimabad is one of the neighbourhoods of Gulberg Town in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.Karimabad is named after, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV. It is situated at south of Gulberg Town bordering Liaquatabad, Gharibabad and Federal B. Area. The population of this neighborhood is predominantly Ismailis.People...
in undivided India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. His early tutoring was under his mother Hebay Saheba soon after he had lost his father. Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal has acknowledged Hebay Saheba as a leading Urdu poet. S. Mukherji the partner in Filmistan Studios
Filmistan
Filmistan was a film production company and film studio of Indian film industry from Goregaon, Mumbai. It is located very near to Patkar College on SV road spread over seven acres. Many students have claimed to see superstars in the studio. Patkar College's reputation has increased due to this...
gave Raja Mehdi the poet a chance to write lyrics in his film Do Bhai (1946). Songs like Mera Sunder Sapna and Yaad Karoge from this film became instant hits. In 1947, in spite of communal riots, Raja Mehdi and his wife Tahira decided to stay in India rather than migrating to the newly formed Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. In 1948 his patriotism manifested in his songs Watan ki raah mein and Todi todi bachay from the film Shaheed
Shaheed (1948 film)
Shaheed is a 1948 Hindi film directed by Ramesh Saigal. It starred Dilip Kumar, Kamini Kaushal, Chandra Mohan and Leela Chitnis. The film depicts India's struggle for independence. It had lyrics by Qamar Jalalabadi and music by the great Ghulam Haider...
starring Dilip Kumar
Dilip Kumar
Dilip Kumar , is an Indian actor and a former Member of Parliament.He lives in Pali Hill, Bandra in Mumbai, India. He is commonly known as "Tragedy King",and is described as "the ultimate method actor" by Satyajit Ray....
and Kamini Kaushal
Kamini Kaushal
Kamini Kaushal is a Hindi film and television actress, most noted for her roles in films like Neecha Nagar which won the 1946 Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Festival and Biraj Bahu which won her the Filmfare Best Actress Award in 1955.-Early life:Kaushal was born to a botanist and professor at...
.
Raja Mehdi worked with both established and new music composers. Madhosh (1950) was music composer, Madan Mohan's debut film with Raja Mehdi. He had been associated with music composers like Iqbal Qureshi, Babul, S. Mohinder
S. Mohinder
Mohinder Singh Sarna was born in a small town called Sillanwali in 1925. At the time the city was located in the Montgomery District of Punjab...
, Chic Chocolate and Rono Mukerjhi to name some. He has written some wonderful songs with C. Ramchandra
C. Ramchandra
Ramchandra Narhar Chitalkar was a renowned music composer in the movie industry of India. In the composer's role, he mostly used the name C. Ramachandra, though he also used the names Annasaheb , Ram Chitalkar Ramchandra Narhar Chitalkar(Marathi: रामचंद्र नरहर चितळकर /सी.रामचंद्र ) (1918–1982) was...
(Mere piya gaye Rangoon) and O. P. Nayyar
O. P. Nayyar
Omkar Prasad Nayyar was an Indian film music director and composer born in Lahore, India, now in modern day Pakistan. He was particularly acclaimed for his peppy numbers.-Career:...
(Main Pyar Ka Rahi Hoon). However, he formed an immortal team with Madan Mohan.
Anpadh, Mera Saaya, Who Kaun Thi, Neela Akash, Dulhan Ek Raat Ki and Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah were some outstanding films where this duo worked together. Raja Mehdi Ali Khan was the first lyricist to introduce Aap in film songs, such as Aap ki nazron…. (Anpadh
Anpadh
Anpadh is a 1962 Hindi film. The film stars Mala Sinha, Balraj Sahni, Shashi Kala and Dharmendra. The music is by Madan Mohan and the lyrics by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan. The film focuses on the importance of education for girls...
), Aap kyon roye (Woh Kaun Thi?
Woh Kaun Thi?
Woh Kaun Thi? is a 1964 black-and-white Indian movie directed by Raj Khosla, starring Sadhana, Manoj Kumar and Prem Chopra. The film became a hit at the box office. Its success had Khosla directing Sadhana in two more suspense thrillers: Mera Saaya and Anita .-Plot:On a dark stormy night, a...
), Aap ne apna banaya (Dulhan Ek Raat Ki). His song Lag ja gale from the film Woh Kaun Thi? was one amongst the top ten all time favorites in film history to be 'retired' from Antakshari
Antakshari
Antakshri is a spoken parlor game played in India, Bangladesh and Nepal. Each contestant sings the first verse of a movie song that begins with the Hindi or Urdu consonant on which the previous contestant's song selection ended.-Etymology:The word is derived from two Hindi words:#Ant meaning...
on Zee TV
Zee TV
Zee TV is an India-based satellite television channel owned by Zee Entertainment Enterprises based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, which broadcasts various programmes in Hindi and other regional languages of India. Broadcasting is also present in various nations of South Asia, Europe, the Middle East,...
. He died on 29 July 1966.