Lyricist Shakil Badayuni marks 110th birth anniversary

Shakil Badayuni, born Shakil Ahmed on 3 August 1916 in Badayun district of Uttar Pradesh, is celebrated for his lasting contributions to Hindi cinema. After completing his studies at Aligarh Muslim University, he joined a government job in Delhi, married Salma in 1940 and moved to Mumbai in 1944, where he began a prolific career as a lyricist.

Badayuni wrote songs for 89 films, collaborating most famously with composer Naushad. His memorable numbers include “Man Tadpat Hari Darshan Ko Aaj” from *Baiju Bawra*, as well as hits from *Mughal‑e‑Azam*, *Mother India* and *Ganga Jamuna*. He also penned devotional bhajans and received the Filmfare Best Lyricist award. Badayuni died in Mumbai on 20 August 1970 at the age of 53. In 2026, his 110th birth anniversary is being observed across India, highlighting his enduring legacy in Indian film music.