Kavi Pradeep

Ramchandra Narayanji Dwivedi, also known as ‘Kavi Pradeep’, was born on 06th February 1915 in a middle class family in the small town of Badnagar, In Madhya Pradesh. He had a deep passion for writing both prose and poetry in Hindi. While pursuing graduation from the University of Lucknow, he attended Kavi Sammelans, rendering Hindi poetry in his inimitable style. It was during this time he changed his name to ‘Pradeep’.

After his graduation he moved over to Bombay (Mumbai) where he started writing film songs. Most of the songs penned by him were extremely popular for their patriotic content: ‘Aao Bacchon Tumhe Dikhayein’, ‘Insaan Ka Insaan Se Ho Bhaichara’ ‘Chal Chal Re Naujawan’ ‘Door Hato Ai Duniya Walon’, ‘Dedi Hamein Azadi Bina Khadag Bina Dhal’ were some very popular songs written by him.

Kavi Pradeep believed in writing songs with a purpose and in a simple language. In 1962 during the Indo-China War, the sacrifice and bravery of Major Shaitan Singh touched his heart deeply. Inspired by his exemplary courage he wrote a very moving song ‘Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon’ (O people of my country). It was rendered by melody queen Lata Mangeshkar to pay tribute to our soldiers in function where it moved then Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to tears.

During his life time he penned 1,700 songs for more than 85 Hindi films, most of the songs embellished with a patriotic fervor. Kavi Pradeep was one of the legendary Hindi film lyricists who won several awards such as ‘Dadasaheb Phalke Award’ He was conferred with Sant Gyaneshwar Award, Chhatrapati Shivaji Award and was also awarded by the Sangeet Natak Academy.

He passed away on 11th December 1998.

India Post is happy to issue a commemorative postage stamp on ‘Kavi Pradeep’.