Famous Indian Lyricists & Songwriters

Gulzar is a prominent figure in Indian cinema, known for his prolific career as an Urdu poet, lyricist, author, screenwriter, and film director. He began his journey in the industry as a lyricist in the 1960s and went on to collaborate with various renowned music directors. His directorial ventures include acclaimed films like Aandhi and Mausam, as well as the TV series Mirza Ghalib. Throughout his career, Gulzar has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including National Film Awards, Filmfare Awards, an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. He continues to leave a lasting impact on Indian cinema and literature.

Swanand Kirkire is a versatile Indian artist with a diverse set of talents in the entertainment industry. He has excelled as a lyricist, playback singer, writer, assistant director, actor, and dialogue writer in both Marathi and Hindi films, as well as in television. Kirkire has been recognized for his exceptional work, winning the National Film Award for Best Lyrics twice and receiving a Filmfare Award nomination. His talent and contributions have been widely appreciated, showcasing his immense skill and creativity in the field.

Kavi Pradeep was an Indian poet and songwriter known for his patriotic compositions, notably the iconic song "Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo." He gained early recognition for his patriotic lyrics in the film Bandhan and solidified his nationalistic image with the song "Door Hato Ae Duniya Walo" in the film Kismet. Over five decades, he penned around 1,700 songs and nationalistic poems for 72 films, including popular hits like "Chal Chal Re Naujawan" and "Aao Bachcho Tumhein Dikhayen." His contributions earned him the title of Rashtrakavi and prestigious honors such as the Dada Saheb Phalke Award.

Dr. Irshad Kamil is a highly acclaimed Indian poet and lyricist known for his exceptional work in Bollywood. His songs have been featured in popular films such as Jab We Met, Chameli, Rockstar, Aashiqui 2, and Kabir Singh among others. With a prolific career in songwriting, he has garnered numerous prestigious awards including Best Lyricist at the Film Fare Awards, IIFA Awards, and Zee Cine Awards. Irshad Kamil's profound talent and lyrical prowess have solidified his reputation as one of the industry's most revered lyricists.

Hasrat Jaipuri was a prominent Indian poet and lyricist known for his work in Hindi and Urdu languages. He gained recognition for his contributions to Hindi films as a celebrated film lyricist, winning the prestigious Filmfare Awards for Best Lyricist twice. Jaipuri's exceptional talent and creativity were evident in his lyrical compositions, which resonated with audiences and left a lasting impact on the Indian film industry. His professional achievements cemented his legacy as a respected figure in the world of poetry and cinema.

Na. Muthukumar was a prolific Indian poet, lyricist, and author, best known for his contributions to Tamil language film songs. He achieved significant recognition for his work, receiving multiple Filmfare Awards for Best Lyricist in Tamil and two National Film Awards for Best Lyrics. With a successful career in the film industry, he won numerous accolades including Four Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and Four Filmfare Awards South. Muthukumar's profound impact on Tamil cinema through his poetic and lyrical talent continues to be celebrated by audiences and critics alike.

Sahir Ludhianvi was a renowned Indian poet and lyricist who made significant contributions to Urdu and Hindi literature. He is celebrated as one of the greatest film lyricists and poets of 20th century India. His impactful work influenced Indian cinema, particularly Hindi language films. Sahir received prestigious accolades such as the Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist for movies like Taj Mahal and Kabhie Kabhie. His talent was recognized with the Padma Shri award in 1971, showcasing his exceptional skill in crafting lyrics that resonated with audiences.

Jaideep Sahni is a highly acclaimed Indian screenwriter, songwriter, and creative producer known for his exceptional work in the film industry. His notable screenplays include Chak De! India, Khosla Ka Ghosla, Company, Bunty Aur Babli, Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year, and Shuddh Desi Romance. Sahni has been recognized with prestigious awards such as the Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue and Best Story for Company, and the Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay for Khosla Ka Ghosla. His talent and creativity have solidified his reputation as a leading figure in Indian cinema.

Anand Bakshi was a prolific Indian poet and lyricist known for his immense contribution to the Bollywood film industry. Throughout his career, he wrote over 6000 film songs for more than 300 films, showcasing his versatility and talent. Bakshi's remarkable work earned him the prestigious Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist four times, highlighting his exceptional skill in crafting impactful and meaningful lyrics that resonated with audiences. His legacy continues to live on through his timeless songs that have left an indelible mark on Indian cinema.

P. Bhaskaran was a multi-talented Indian professional active in the Malayalam film industry. He was a prolific poet, lyricist, filmmaker, and director, having penned over 3000 songs for around 250 films. Additionally, he directed 44 Malayalam feature films and three documentaries, produced six feature films, and acted in numerous movies. He received the prestigious J. C. Daniel Award from the Government of Kerala for his significant contributions to Malayalam cinema. Prior to his film career, he worked as a journalist and at All India Radio, known for his straightforward and effective use of language in his works.

Gopaldas Saxena, known by his pen name Neeraj, was a prominent Indian poet and author in the realm of Hindi literature. He made significant contributions to Hindi Kavi sammelan (Poets Meet) and garnered admiration for his poetic works. Neeraj was recognized for his eloquent and emotionally resonant poetry, which often touched the hearts of his readers. Under the pseudonym "Neeraj," he established a lasting legacy with his profound verses that continue to inspire and captivate audiences even beyond his lifetime.

Balachandran Chullikkad is a prominent figure in the Malayalam-language media industry, known for his versatile talents as a poet, orator, lyricist, and actor. His professional life is marked by a prolific career in literature and the performing arts, where he has made significant contributions to Indian poetry and theatre. Chullikkad's work is celebrated for its depth, emotion, and social commentary, earning him a respected place in the cultural landscape of Kerala and beyond.

Anne Hills is an accomplished American folk singer-songwriter based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. She has established herself as a prominent figure in the folk music scene, known for her soulful vocals and heartfelt songwriting. Hills has released numerous albums, collaborated with various musicians, and performed at venues and festivals across the country. With a career spanning decades, she has garnered critical acclaim for her musical contributions and continues to captivate audiences with her emotive performances and dedication to preserving and promoting folk music traditions.

Shakeel Badayuni was a prominent figure in the Indian film industry, known for his contributions as an Urdu poet, lyricist, and songwriter. He garnered acclaim for his work in Hindi/Urdu language films, where his poetic and lyrical skills shone through. Badayuni's talent and versatility were evident in the numerous songs he penned, which became timeless classics in Indian cinema. His ability to evoke emotions and craft beautiful verses made him a respected and cherished figure in the realm of film music.

Indeevar, born Shyamalal Babu Rai, was a prominent Hindi film lyricist during the 1960s. Credited under variations like Indiwar and Indeewar, he made significant contributions to the Indian film industry. His lyrical prowess and creative expressions resonated with audiences, earning him a reputation as one of the leading lyricists of his time. Indeevar's work encompassed a wide range of emotions and themes, leaving a lasting impact on Hindi cinema. His talent and dedication to his craft solidified his place as a revered figure in the industry.

Akhlaq Mohammad Khan, known by his takhallus Shahryar, was a prominent Indian academician and Urdu poet. He served as the head of the Urdu Department at Aligarh Muslim University and was a respected figure in mushairas and literary circles. As a Hindi film lyricist, he gained recognition for his work in movies like Gaman and Umrao Jaan. Shahryar was honored with the Sahitya Akademi Award for his collection "Khwab Ka Dar Band Hai" and later received the prestigious Jnanpith Award, establishing himself as a leading figure in modern Urdu poetry.

Esther Eden Fernandes is an Indian singer-songwriter currently residing in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. She gained recognition in 2014 after being invited by singer Jessie J to perform at a concert in Red Fest DXB. In 2016, Esther Eden launched her career as an independent artist with the release of her debut single "Phoenix". Since then, she has continued to pursue her passion for music and has been making a name for herself in the music industry with her unique talent and captivating performances.

Labh Janjua was an Indian bhangra vocalist and songwriter known for his energetic bhangra and hip hop songs. He gained fame for hits like "Bair Bura Hunda Jatt da", "Jatt Di Nazar Buri", and "Soni De Nakhre Sone lagde". Labh also collaborated with Panjabi MC on the popular track "Mundian To Bach Ke". In addition to his bhangra success, he lent his voice to Bollywood songs like "Jee Karda" from Singh Is Kinng and "London Thumakda" from Queen, showcasing his versatility in the music industry.

Sahana Bajpaie is an accomplished Indian singer-songwriter and contemporary Rabindra Sangeet vocalist in Bengali. She began her musical journey at a young age, releasing her debut album "Notun Kore Pabo Bole" in 2007, followed by subsequent albums like "Shikawr," "Ja Bolo Tai Bolo," and "Mon Bandhibi Kemone." Known for her melodious voice and expertise in Rabindra Sangeet, Sahana has collaborated with various musicians and contributed to the Indian Bengali film industry with her captivating playback singing.