Jeena isi ka naam hai: Why Shailendra is the self-help poet you need
On August 30, as the world commemorates the 103rd birth anniversary of lyricist Shailendra, his immortal songs continue to resonate with millions. Born Shankardas Kesarilal in Rawalpindi, Shailendra was a self-taught poet from a Dalit family who migrated to India for work. Despite starting his career in a railway workshop, Shailendra's path crossed with Raj Kapoor, who invited him to write songs for his films.
This collaboration led to the creation of timeless verses that reflect the common man's struggle, faith, and hope. Shailendra's lyrics, both profound and simple, have become part of everyday speech, uniting people in shared humanity. His songs articulate the resilience and beauty of life, as evident in phrases like "jeena isika naam hai" (life is what you call a life).
These words have transcended their original context, becoming a source of inspiration for countless individuals.
Written by urgent.news from The Indian Express's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
