Noted lyricist Yogesh passed away today (29th May) in Bombay. He was 80. He was a prolific song writer who also wrote songs for television serials.
Yogesh Gaur was born in Lucknow on 19th March, 1943. He started out as a song writer in the 1960s but gained success, popularity and recognition with Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Anand. Zindagi kaisi hai paheli and Kahin door jab din dhal jaaye from the film became huge hits. His title track from Rajnigandha was also very popular and so was Na bole tum na maine kuchh kahaa from Baton Baton Mein.
Before becoming a song writer, he had to struggle as an extra in films in 1954. His first film as a lyricist, in which he wrote just one song, did not release. His first released film was Sakhi Robin (1962). He was paid Rs. 25 per song for that film and since he penned the lyrics for six songs (which he wrote in just two days), his remuneration was Rs. 150 which, incidentally, was a princely amount in those days. His super-hit song, Tum jo aao toh pyar aa jaaye, zindagi mein bahaar aa jaaye, from Sakhi Robin brought him into limelight. Among the notable films he wrote lyrics for were Mili, Chhoti Si Baat, Aaja Meri Jaan, Priyatama, Us Paar, Dillagi, Apne Paraye, Pasand Apni Apni, Shaukeen and Bewafa Sanam. He wrote songs for a total of around 200 films. He also penned songs for a number of television serials. In TV serial Chandrakanta, he penned 30 songs while in serial Hasratein, he wrote 14 songs. He also wrote Hindi songs in Gujarati and Marathi films. In the beginning of his career, he had to remain content with writing songs for stunt and fantasy films. Likewise, he mostly wrote lyrics for C-grade and dubbed South films in the last 18 to 20 years of his career. But Yogesh’s contribution as a lyricist in Hindi films will be remembered forever because many of his songs were huge hits.