Nostalgic Nuggets: Majrooh's lyrics transcended generations

Hindi cinema has been lucky to have professionals who have served its cause despite emerging from diverse political, regional, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. This is true of its status, soon after Independence when a series of creative folks came over from both within and outside the country to showcase their special skills and left behind their marks.

MajroohSultanpuri, (1919-2000), who died 20 years ago on this very day, was one such personality. He had a strong Leftist background and this did not deter him from writing some of the finest lyrics for a host of films which were romantic, social and family-oriented.

From K L Saigal of the 1940s to a rising Aamir Khan of the 1990s, his lyrics were found acceptable and apt. He gave R D Burman a major boost by introducing him to Nasir Hussain, with whom the music director had a series of hits all through the 1970s from ' Yaadon Ki Baraat' to ' Hum Kisise Kum Naheen'. His songs are re-mix crazes too.