Tribute to lyricist music composer choreographer actor Prem Dhawan ji 1923-2001

Born: 13 June 1923, Ambala
Died: 7 May 2001, Mumbai

Prem Dhawan (1923–2001) was an Indian lyricist, music composer, choreographer, and actor of Bollywood known for his patriotic songs, especially for the lyrics and compositions for the 1965 Manoj Kumar starrer, Shaheed. He was a winner of the National Film Award for Best Lyrics in 1971 and was honoured by the Government of India in 1970 with Padma Shri, the fourth highest Indian civilian award.

Prem Dhawan was born on 13 June1923 at Ambala in the present day Haryana state of India to a Jail Superintendent working for the British government. He did his college studies in Lahore during which period he was involved with the activities of the Communist party of India. He started his career in Lahore in 1946 as Assistant of Composer Khwaja Khurshid Anwar in Khwaja Ahmad Abbas's film Aaj Aur Kal. He later moved to Mumbai to join the Indian People's Theatre Association. His association with the Indian People's Theatre Association helped him to learn classical music under the renowned classical musician, Ravi Shankar. In 1946, he debuted as a lyricist with the movie, Dharti Ke Lal, the first of the several till his last film, the Hindi version of Apoorva Sagodharargal, in 1989.In between, he wrote lyrics for a string of films such as Aaram, Tarana, Aasman, Shola Aur Shabnam, Kabuliwala, Ek Phool Do Mali and Purab Aur Pachhim. He also composed music for several films like Shaheed which was reported to have enhanced the status of Dhawan and the lead actor of the film, Manoj Kumar. The film featured some of the hits of the time in Ae Watan Ae Watan and Mera Rang De Basanti Chola.

Dhawan, apart from his career as a lyricist and composer, acted two films, Lajawab (1950) and Goonj Uthi Shehnai (1959). He also worked as a choreographer for seven films, though not with much success. The Government of India awarded him the civilian honour of Padma Shri in 1970. He won the National Film Award for Best Lyrics in 1971 for the film, Nanak Dukhiya Sub Sansar. His career faded towards the Eighties and did not have any notable contribution except for the 1989 dubbed movie, Apoorva Sagodharargal. He died on 7 May 2001, at the age of 78, following a cardiac arrest.

As a lyricist
Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989)
Guru Manio Granth (1977)
Sawa Lakh Se Ek Ladaun (1976)
Purab Aur Pachhim (1976)
Kisan Aur Bhagwan (1974)
Geet (1970)
Nanak Dukhiya Sub Sansar (1970)
Pavitra Paapi (1970)
Nanak Dukhiya Sub Sansar (1970)
Mera Naam Joker (1970)
Ek Phool Do Mali (1969)
Shaheed (1965)
Adhi Raat Ke Baad (1965)
Darasingh: Ironman (1964)
Shabnam (1964)
Cobra Girl (1963)
Vallah Kya Baat Hai (1962)
Ma Beta (1962)
Kabuliwala (1961)
Zabak (1961)
Tel Malish Boot Polish (1961)
Shola Aur Shabnam (1961)
Guest House (1959)
Heera Moti (1959)
Jagte Raho (1956)
Taangewali (1955)
Vachan (1955)
Aasman (1952)
Tarana (1951)
Aaram (1951)
Jeet (1949)
Dharti Ke Lal (1946)

As a composer
Raat ke Andhere Mein (1987)
The Naxalites (1980)
Sawa Lakh Se Ek Ladaun (1976)
Bhagat Dhanna Jatt (1974)
Kisan Aur Bhagwan (1974)
Mera Desh Mera Dharam (1973)
Bharat ke Shaheed (1972)
Nanak Dukhiya Sub Sansar (1970)
Pavitra Paapi (1970)
Kenner (1968)
Shaheed (1965)
Veer Abhimanyu (1965)
Aadhi Raat Ke Baad (1965)
Darasingh: Ironman (1964)
Cobra Girl (1963)
Ma Beta (1962)
Goonj Uthi Shehnai (1959)
Lajawab (1950)
Hindustan Hamara (Documentary - 1950)
Bharat Ke Shaheed (1972)[12]

As a choreographer
Waqt (1965)
Dhool Ka Phool (1959)
Do Phool (1958)
Sahara (1958)
Naya Daur (1957)
Do Bigha Zamin (1953)
Arzoo (1950)