The Indian Poet That Shaped The Legacy Of Punjabi & Bollywood Music

Ikk kudi

Jida naam mohabbat

Saad muraadi

Sohni phabbat.

A girl

Whose name is Love

Simple, dainty

A sight so beautiful

A song that captured many hearts as a hit Bollywood number has been recreated by multiple artists across the Hindi and Punjabi music industry.

This melody can be credited to the creative genius Shiv Kumar Batalvi, an Indian poet hailing from Sialkot (present-day Pakistan). A continual experience of pain and angst felt during the partition of 1947 plays a fundamental role in his work. Emotions borrowed from this period of separation continue to resonate with people on both sides of the border.

Within his shayari ( a form of poetry), the romantic motifs are driven by a sense of melancholy and longing. He forms an emotional connection with the listener and while reliving a memory of loss Batalvi leaves you engrossed in deep thought with his words lingering in your heart and mind.

Peedan da Paraga (Handful of Sorrows) presents poetry found in tragic love. He mastered the portrayal of darker themes of agony; wooing a baker lady to roast a handful of sorrows in exchange for payment in tears.

Regarded as ‘Birha da Sultan’ (the poet of lament), he was the youngest recipient of the Sahitya Academy Award (Literary Merit) during his short 36 year life. His captivating poetry continues to inspire Hindi movie songs such as ‘Ajj Din Chadheya Tere Rang Varga’ from Love Aaj Kal.

Some of the most renowned singers such as Jasleen Royal and Rabbi Shergill were recognised globally for creating musical symphonies with his words. Satinder Sartaj, a Sufi singer and songwriter credits the growth of Punjabi poetry to Batalvi. In his words “Birha nu rangat navi chadhai” (he gave a new colour to the expression of loss and pain).

Younger generations may not notice the contributions he made to our present-day playlists but his cultural relevance remains strong in his homeland Majha ( a region in Punjab), and is another form of connection found within the Indian diaspora that helps them gravitate towards his poetry.

Years after his passing so many still remain spellbound by his talent and craft that gave multiple dimensions to the linguistic references found in Punjabi music.

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