राजेन्द्र कृष्ण

Rajendra Krishan — often credited as Rajinder Krishan — was one of the most prolific lyricist-writers Hindi cinema has known, active across four decades. Born in 1919 in Jalalpur Jattan in undivided Punjab, he worked as a clerk in Shimla while polishing his poetry, then moved to Bombay in the mid-1940s. He debuted as a screenwriter with Janta (1947) and as a lyricist with Zanjeer (1947), but it was 1949 that made his name: Badi Behen, whose 'Chup Chup Khade Ho' and 'Chale Jana Nahin' (music by Husnlal–Bhagatram) swept the country, and Patanga, with the playful hit 'Mere Piya Gaye Rangoon' for C. Ramchandra. He went on to anchor two of the era's defining partnerships — with C. Ramchandra (Albela, Anarkali, Azaad) and with Madan Mohan (Bhai Bhai, Dekh Kabira Roya, Adalat) — while simultaneously writing story, dialogue and screenplays for dozens of films, including the comedy classic Padosan (1968). His range ran from the classical poise of Anarkali's laments to the nonsense-rhyme delight of 'Eena Meena Deeka'. He won the Filmfare Best Lyricist Award for 'Tumhi Mere Mandir' from Khandan (1965). A famous jackpot win at the horse races made him, as the industry joked, that rarest of creatures — a rich writer. He died in Bombay in 1987.