Barsat mein humse mile tum sajan, tumse mile hum barsaat mein..

and that's how Shailendra met Shankar- Jaikishan.
it was the first song he wrote for the duo and their magical association lasted for almost 2 decades.
SJ-Shailendra-Lata was much celebrated combination in those years, with the duo composing music for around 200 of his songs for the singer.

some of his best creations:
ghar aaya mera pardesi (awara-51)
do din ke liye mehmaan yahaa (badal-51)
aye mere dil kahin aur chal (dag-52)
do din ki zindagi mein (poonam-52)
yeh shaam ki tanahaiya (aah-53)
kare badra tu na ja (shikast-53)
manmohana bade jhhote (seema-55)
bol ri kathputali (kathputali-57)
meri jaan meri jaan (yahudi- 58)
ajeeb dastan (dil apna aurpreet parayi- 60)
ehsaan tera hoga mujhpar (junglee- 61)
tera mera pyar amar (asli nakli- 62)
chhotisi yeh duniya (rangoli -62)
ruk ja raat thehar ja re chanda (dil ek madir- 63)
tumhe yaad karte karte (aamrapali- 66)
**(all songs sung by Lata and composed by S-J)

he penned songs for C Ramchandra (Chhatrapati Shivaji, Anarkali), Roshan (Naubahar,Sanskar), Salil Chowdhary (Madhumati, Musaphir ,Parakh, Mem Didi) , Ravi Shankar (Anuradha), S D Burman (Bujhdil, Madbhare Nain, Guide, Meri Surat Teri Ankhen, Jewel Thief) and many other..

he wrote some special songs like 'lagi nahi chhute rama' (song sung by lata and dilip kumar- film musaphir), 'ghar aaja ghir aaye' ( first song composed by r d burman- sung by lata - film Chhote Nawab-1961)

Very gifted lyricist indeed who was so dedicated to writing patriotic songs that he initially rejected Raj Kapoor's offer to write for films and only came back only when he was in dire finacial situation.
But IMHO he never compromised his quality under any condition. A genious who often came with
songs spontaneously. I read somewhere he and Roshan were taking a late evening walk. Roshan mentioned that he was depressed due to lack of good songs. Shailendra instantly came up with " Bahut dia dena wale ne tujko, anchal he na samaye tau kya kijye" which was later beautifully sung by Mukeshji for Roshan
in Surat aur Sirat. And like SDB once said despite all this he called him self "Anari".
He is greatley missed by fans as well as his MD's.

Ramesh

'Sarvshresth' is the word which comes instantaly in my mind after hearing name Geetkar-'Shailendra'.

Gems were flowing out from his pen & in what form !!! Simplest, cute, meaningful (meaning ? deeper than ocean), full of life philosphy & above all 'Chipkoo'(sticks in mind forever).

Pick-up any song & try to define, it will cover pages.

-Kaanto Se Kheench Ke Ye Aanchal (Guide Songs - Baap Re baap)

-Raat Aur Din Diya Jale

-Kisi Ki Muskurahaton Pe Ho Nissaar

-Main To Kab Se Khadi Is Paar, Akkhiyaan Thakk Gayeen Panth Nihaar

-Sajnavaa Bairee Ho Gaye Hamaar

[Just penning down above songs,sweeps me away from the subject, pl excuse me ]

I always remember him by the name 'Shailendra Mahaan'

USR

he was one of the best lyricists of HFM.

i have always felt bad that lyricists in HFM never got the credit they deserved.
singers and music directors have always had upper hand. many listeners keep humming songs all the time but very few bother to check the lyricist.

that brings up another issue. there are many new radio channels in mumbai and pune and other major cities but these channels never mention the name of film, music directors and lyricists before they play songs. Vividh Bharati is the only radio channel which never fails to mention these credits.