Gauhar Kanpuri was a poet and lyricist who was forgotten by the film industry despite writing beautiful songs like “Haseenon Ka Deedar Karna Bura Hai,” “Rooh Pyasi Hai Pareshan Hai,” “Tumhe geeto mein dhaalunga (Sawan Ko Aane Do),” “Ae mere humsafar (Baazigar),” and many more.
Early Life and Career
Gauhar Kanpuri was born on October 1, 1932, in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. He spent his early life in Kanpur and started writing poetry when he was in school. Gauhar was always infatuated with the film industry and wanted to write for films.
To realise his dreams, Gauhar moved to Bombay, but it was never an easy task to get work in the industry. Gauhar too started his struggle but never lost hope despite reappearances of rejection. After a decade of perseverance, he got the chance to write his first song for the film “Pyar Ki Bazi” in 1967.
The song was “Haseenon Ka Deedar Karna Bura Hai,” a qawwali sung by Mahendra Kapoor and Usha Mangeshkar under the music direction of Jimmy. The qawwali is a rare gem that will give you an instant smile for its playful back and forth.
“Prince of Comedy” – Jatin Kanakia
Although he got the chance, success was nowhere near him. He got his second film after three years, “Oos Raat Ke Baad (1970),” where he wrote one song, “Rooh Pyasi Hai Pareshan Hai,” sung by Anwar, under Hemant Kumar. Its another haunting melody with an interesting and unusual arrangement, and a recommendation from Tasweermahal.
This was the beginning of a career that spanned over three decades, during which he wrote approximately 300 songs for 120 films. Gauhar’s collaboration with music director Bappi Lahiri was particularly noteworthy. Their partnership peaked with the 1975 film “Zakhmee,” for which Gauhar wrote all the songs independently. The tracks “Jalta hai jiya mera bheegi bheegi raaton mein” and “Abhi abhi thi dushmani abhi hai dosti” became instant hits.
Some of his notable films in the 70s include “Shiv Bhakta Baba Balak Nath (1972),” “Kora Aanchal (1973), Ek Huns Ka Jora (1975), Zakhmee (1975), Do Khiladi (1976), Sangram (1976), Phir Janam Lenge Hum (1977), Pratima Aur Payal (1977), Anpadh (1978), Dada (1978), Shikshaa (1978), Jaan-E-Bahaar (1979), Sawan Ko Aane Do (1979), Shaadi Se Pahley (1979), and many more.
Some of his memorable songs in this period “Tu Meri Manzil Main To Raahi Hoon Sanam (Nannha Shikari). “Tumhe geeto mein dhaalunga (Sawan Ko Aane Do),” “Jhoomta sawan dekho aaya, barkha ne pyar barsaya” (Do Khiladi),” “Chand ki payaliya bole chham (Sangram), “Mangni ko barso huye”, “kahan hai shadi ka vaada” (Pratima Aur Payal), “Jehi Vidhi Raakhe Ram (Shikshaa),” “Aankhen Churao Naa Daaman Bachao Naa (Jaan-E-Bahaar),” and many more.
Gauhar in 1980s-90s
Despite the success, Gauhar faced challenges, often sharing songwriting credits with other lyricists, which limited his opportunities for solo projects. Despite the limitations he continue to write for films like Geet Ganga (1981), Dulha Bikta Hai (1982), Chambal Ke Daaku (1982), Zakhmee Insaan (1982), Mangal Dada (1986), Mardangi (1988), Mera Naseeb (1989), Baharon Ke Manzil (1991), Balwaan (1992), Jaan Tere Naam (1992), Baazigar (1993), Kasam Teri Kasam (1993), Aa Gale Lag Jaa (1994), Hero Hindustani (1998), and many more.
Some of his memorable songs include “Hum Roz Dulhan Ban Jaate Hain (Geet ganga),” “Aankhon mein toh hai barsaat magar hai sulge huye jazbaat (Khoon Ki Pukaar),” “Teri chhot isi ek bhoolne saara gulshan jala diya (Shikshaa),” “Tumhe geeto mein dhaalunga” (Saawan Ko Aane Do), “More naino mein nand lala (Shaadi Se Pahale),” “Ae dulhe raja baaje band-baaja (Waqt Ki Pukar),” “Meri Aankhon Mein Ek Sapna Hai (Videsh),” “Are Har Dam Kam Zaroori (Chambal Ke Daku),” “Kahan Jaate Ho Ruk Jao,” “Adaonse Hamari Na Bachpaoge,” (Dulha Bikta hai),” “Tumsa Nahin Mila (Ustadi Ustad Se),” “Aaj Purane Saal Ka (Bahron Ki Manzil),” “Nadiya jaayega (Jaan Tere Naam),” “Ae Mere Humsafar Ae Meri Jaanejaan (Bazigar),” “Tere Bagair (Aa gale lag ja), “Chand Nazar Aa Gaya (Hero Hindustani),” and many more.
Other work
Gauhar also composed singles like “Bam bhole shiv dani” and “Chalo bhole baba ke dwaare.” He also wrote a few songs, “Aaja Re Aaja Kar Loon,” “Ye Mausam Suhana,” “Balma Barkha Rut Aayee,” and “Aja Re Tere Bin,” on Salma Agha’s album “Husn” in 1998.
Gauhar passed away on June 29, 2002, in Mumbai.
Gauhar Kanpuri on IMDB
