Qateel Shifai is one of the most prominent Urdu poets and lyricists of his time, having written extensively on all the areas concerning human life. Some of his famous songs include “Tere Dar Par Sanam,” “Dil Deta Hai Ro Ro Duhaai,” “Dard Se Mera Daaman Bharde Ya Allah,” “Sambhaala Hai Maine,” “Dukh Sukh Ki Har Ik Mala,” “Garmi e hasrat e nakam se jal jaate hai,” and many more.
Qateel Shifai, born Muhammad Aurangzeb on December 24, 1919, in British India’s Haripur, is celebrated as one of Pakistan’s most prominent Urdu poets and lyricists. His formation and cultural contribution span over six decades. Following his father’s demise in 1935, he was compelled to abandon his education. He ventured into various small businesses, none of which succeeded. It was this struggle that eventually led him to the world of poetry and film.
In 1938, he adopted the pen name “Qateel Shifai,” a homage to his mentor Hakeem Mohammed Yahya Shifa Khanpuri. His initial works were scrutinised by his teacher, who provided guidance and corrections, shaping Shifai’s early poetic voice.
Garma-e-hasrat-e-nakam se jal jaate hain
Qateel Shifai
Hum charaġhon ki tarah shaam se jal jaate hain
shama jis aag men jalti hai numaish ke liye
ham usi aag mein gumnam se jal jaate hain
bach nikalte haia agar atish-e-sayyaal se ham
shola-e-ariz-e-gulfam se jal jaate hain
ḳhud-numai to nahin sheva-e-arbab-e-vafa
jin ko jalna ho vo aram se jal jaate hain
rabt-e-baaham pe hamen kya na kahenge dushman
ashna jab tire paiġham se jal jaate hain
jab bhi aata hai mira naam tire naam ke saath
jaane kyon log mire naam se jal jaate hain
1947 was a turning point for Shifai, as he joined the Pakistani film industry as a lyricist. His first film, “Teri Yaad,” set the stage for a career that would see him pen over 2500 songs. Some of his famous songs in Pakistani films include “Taqdeer Kay Malik, Dekh Zara.” “Ghazab Kiya Teray Waaday Peh Eitbar Kiya,” “Bata A Asmaan Walay,” “Nikkal Kar Teri Mehfil Say Yeh Deevanay Kahan Jayen…” “Tum Poochho Aur Main Na Bataoun, Aisay To Halat Nahin,” “Jab bhi chahe ek nai surat bana lety hai log.” “Zindgi mein to sabhi pyar kiya karte hain,” Kyon Humse Khafa Ho Gaye,” “Ham Se Badal Gaya Wo Nigahe to Kya Hua,” and many more.
Over the years, the ghazals and songs of Qateel Shifai have been sung by many legendary artists, including Mehdi Hasan, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Lata Mangeshkar, Noor Jehan, Ghulam Ali, Jagjit Singh, Pankaj Udhas, Roop Kumar Rathor, Chandan Dass, and Hariharan, among others. Some of his notable songs for these artists include “Khula hai jhoot ka baazar aao sach bolen.” “Likh diya apne dar pe kisi ne,” “Tumhari anjuman se uth ke deewane kahan jate.” “Toone ye phool jo zulfon mein laga rakkha hai.” “Sadma to hai mujhe bhi ki tujhse juda hoon main.” “Milkar juda huey to na soya karenge ham.” “Kiya hai pyar jise hamne zindgi ki tarah.” “Garmi e hasrat e nakam se jal jaate hai.” “Dard se mera daman bhar de ya Allah,” “Apne hothon par sajana chahta hoon,” “Apne haatho ki lakeeron mein basa le mujhko,” “Yeh Mojeza Bhi Mohabbat Kabhi Dikhaye Mujhe,” “Dil Ko Gham-E-Hayat Gawara Hai In Dinon,” “Apne Haathon Ki Lakeeron Mein Basale Mujhko,” “Pareshan Raat Sari Hai Sitaro Tum To So Jao,” “Mujhe aai na jag se laaj,” “Chandi Jaisa Rang Hai Tera,” “Woh Tera Naam Tha,” and many more.
Qateel Shifai’s Hindi film debut came in 1953 with the Raj Kumar and Nimmi starrer “Aabshar,” where he wrote “Dil Par Sau Sau Baar Chalaye Nainon Wale Teer Ho” and “O Dil Churane Wale Is Dil Ko Dil Mein Le Le.” Qateel did not get many chances to collaborate with Indian music directors. He wrote a few songs for films like Ulfut (1978), Kudrat (1981), Painter Babu (1983), Sir (1993), Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee (1993), Tahqiqaat (1993), Hum Hain Bemisaal (1994), Naaraaz (1994), Naajayaz (1995), Tamanna (1997), Auzaar (1997), Yeh Hai Mumbai Meri Jaan (1999), and Bade Dilwala (1999).
Some of his famous songs in Hindi films are “Dukh Sukh Ki Har Ik Mala (Kudrat). “Kab Talak Shama Jali Yaad Nahin (Painter Babu),” “Tere Dar Par Sanam,” “Badalon Mein Chhup Raha Hai Chand Kyun,” Aane Wala Kal Ek Sapna Hai,” “Shairana Si Hai Zindagi,” “Dil Deta Hai Ro Ro Duhaai,” (Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee) “Sambhaala Hai Maine (Naaraz),” Yeh Ujli Chandni Jab,” “Sun Sun Sun Barsaat Ki Dhun” (Sir), “Maari Gayi Pyar Mein Main To Sanam Teri Kasam (Jaanam),” “Tujhe Khas Fursat Mein (Auzar), “Baant Raha Tha Jab Khuda (Bade Dilwala),” and many more.
Dard se mera daaman bharde, ya Allah
Qateel Sung By Lata Mangeshkar
Phir chaahe deewana karde, ya Allah
Maine tujh se chand sitare kab mange
Roushan dil, bedaar nazar de, ya Allah
Suraj si ek cheez to hum sab dekh chuke
Sachmuch ki ab koi saher de, ya Allah
Ya dharti ke zakhmon per marham rakhde
Ya mera dil patthar kar de, ya Allah
Qateel Shifai’s contributions to Urdu poetry and the film industry were recognised with numerous awards, including the Pride of Performance in 1994 and the Adamjee Literary Award in 1964. His work transcended borders, earning him the Amir Khusro Award in India.
Shifai’s literary repertoire includes 14 poetic works, such as “Nazrana,” Ababeel,” “Mona Lisa,” “Sanam,” “Amokhta,” “Haiyali,” “Guftagoo,” and others. His compilation of all the Ghazal, Geet, and Nazams was published under the name “Rang, Khushbu Aur Raushni” in three volumes. His autobiography, “Ghungroo Toot Gaye,” was a long-term project completed with the assistance of his pupil, Naeem Chishti.
Qateel Shifai passed away on July 11, 2001, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire poets and lyricists.
