The legendary lyricist, composer, choreographer, and actor Prem Dhawan left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. Born on June 13, 1923, in Ambala, Dhawan’s father was a jail superintendent for the British government. He studied in college in Lahore, where he became associated with the Communist Party of India. Dhawan’s entry into films began in 1946 as an assistant to music composer Khwaja Khurshid Anwar for Khwaja Ahmad Abbas’s film ‘Aaj Aur Kal’ in Lahore.
A Musical Journey with Ravi Shankar
Dhawan moved to Mumbai to join the Indian People’s Theatre Association, where he was mentored by the renowned sitar maestro Ravi Shankar. This collaboration had a profound impact on Dhawan’s musical style, shaping his future compositions.
Breaking into Bollywood
Dhawan made his debut as a lyricist with the 1946 film ‘Dharti Ke Lal’. He went on to pen memorable songs for numerous films, including ‘Aaram’, ‘Tarana’, ‘Aasman’, ‘Shola Aur Shabnam’, ‘Kabuliwala’, ‘Ek Phool Do Mali’, and ‘Purb Aur Paschim’. Some of his most iconic songs include ‘Sarfaroshi Ki Tamannaah Ab Hamare Dil Mein Hai’ and ‘Aye Watan, Aye Watan’. Dhawan also composed music for the film ‘Shaheed’.
Venturing into Acting and Choreography
Apart from his work as a lyricist and composer, Dhawan acted in two films: ‘Lajawab’ (1950) and ‘Goonj Uthi Shehnai’ (1959). He also worked as a choreographer for seven films, including ‘Waqt’, ‘Dhool Ka Phool’, ‘Do Phool’, ‘Sahara’, and ‘Naya Daur’.
Awards and Legacy
Dhawan’s contributions to Indian cinema were recognized with several awards. He was awarded the
- Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1970
- National Film Award for Best Lyricist for ‘Nanak Dukhia Sub Sansar’ (1971)
Despite his success, Dhawan’s career slowed down in the 1980s. He passed away on May 7, 2001, at the age of 77, leaving behind a legacy of timeless songs and memorable performances.