Mumbai, February 5: The magic of poet Pradeep’s pen, who penned the iconic song “Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon,” continues to resonate, moving the hearts of many, from former Prime Ministers to the legendary Lata Mangeshkar. Years later, his songs remain timeless, filled with the essence of Patriotism, sweetness, and fervor that endears him to fans across the nation.
Born on February 6, 1915, in the small town of Badnagar, Madhya Pradesh, poet Pradeep, whose real name was Ramchandra Narayanji Dwivedi, is celebrated for writing one of India’s most emotional patriotic songs, “Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon.” This song was composed in memory of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the 1962 India-China war and continues to echo in the hearts of every Indian.
After completing his education at Lucknow University, he moved to Mumbai with literary aspirations. To fit into the film industry, he adopted the pen name Pradeep. His fortune turned in 1939 when Bombay Talkies recognized his talent at a poetry conference and offered him a monthly salary of ₹200, marking the beginning of his six-decade-long creative journey.
Pradeep wrote approximately 1,700 songs for 71 films, many of which were steeped in patriotism. The song “Chal Chal Re Nau Jawan,” from the 1940 film “Bandhan,” was so vibrant that the British government banned it. In 1943, he had to go underground due to the songs from the film “Kismat,” which posed a significant threat to the British administration.
The song “Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon” is still sung with the same reverence and emotion. The story behind this song is deeply touching. When Pradeep played it for Lata Mangeshkar, she was moved to tears. She immediately agreed to sing it but insisted that Pradeep be present during rehearsals. Lata suggested a duet with her sister Asha Bhosle, but Asha eventually dropped out before the performance, leading Lata to sing it solo.
On January 26, 1963, during Republic Day celebrations at the National Stadium, Lata Mangeshkar performed this song in front of over 50,000 people, including then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and President Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. As the song began, the stadium fell silent, and tears streamed down Nehru’s face. After the performance, he remarked, “Anyone who cannot be inspired by this song, in my opinion, is not an Indian.”
In 1997, Pradeep was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award by the Government of India, but his personal life was marked by tragedy. After the death of his wife, he suffered a stroke and was left alone by his four children. Kolkata businessman Pradeep Kundaliya took him in and cared for him.
Poet Pradeep passed away on December 11, 1998, at the age of 83. In his memory, a postage stamp was issued in 2011, and the “National Poet Pradeep Award” was established.