Music, poetry and nostalgia marked an evening dedicated to Hindi literature’s towering figure and Padma Bhushan awardee Mahakavi Gopaldas ‘Neeraj’ as Mumbai’s Rang Sharda Auditorium hosted ‘Kaarwan Geeton Ka Neeraj’ on his eighth death anniversary.
The Mahakavi Gopaldas Neeraj Foundation Trust and Bharat Express News Network jointly organised the event, bringing together eminent personalities, litterateurs and music lovers from across the country.
The event’s patron and Chairman, Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Bharat Express News Network, Upendrra Rai, addressed the gathering, sharing his deep personal bond with Mahakavi Gopaldas ‘Neeraj’. He fondly recalled the legendary poet’s timeless compositions and spoke emotionally about the influence Neeraj had on both his life and his journey in journalism.
Beginning his address, CMD Upendrra Rai said that Neeraj Ji’s two sons, Shashank and Mrigank, have been working alongside him since 2010.
“I have not come to this programme as a guest. I am a part of this family, and I am the guardian of this family. For the past eight years, after Neeraj Ji physically left us, we have continued to remember him in this manner,” he stated.
Remembering the First Meeting
Recalling his first meeting with the legendary poet, Bharat Express CMD Upendrra Rai said, “On February 11, 2010, a poetry conference and felicitation ceremony was organised in Indore. That day, the ‘Bharosa Patrakar Samman’ was jointly presented to me and respected Javed Akhtar Sahab in the form of a single trophy. The most special part was that the award was presented to us by Mahakavi Neeraj Ji himself.”
CMD Upendrra Rai further said that the heart of a poet is as innocent, pure, and unblemished as that of a child. Just as a child remains busy without any reason and happy without any purpose, the same spirit resides within a true poet.
Osho and Neeraj’s Lifelong Friendship
Sharing an interesting anecdote, CMD Upendrra Rai said that during the final days of Neeraj Ji’s life, when he had come to his office in a wheelchair, he asked him a question that had remained unanswered for years.
CMD Upendrra Rai said, “I asked Neeraj Ji that I had read Osho (Acharya Rajneesh) extensively throughout my life. Osho mentioned you dozens of times in his discourses. What was your relationship with him? Neeraj Ji smiled and said that Osho was my closest friend, and I received the deepest love of my life from him.”
Neeraj Ji then narrated how extraordinary Osho’s memory was, saying that he could recall the essence of nearly one-and-a-half lakh books.
When Bharat Express CMD Upendrra Rai picked up a thick volume of the Upanishads to test Osho, he effortlessly flipped through the pages and recited passages fluently, leaving even Neeraj Ji astonished.
Speaking about his journey in journalism, CMD Upendrra Rai said, “I take pride in being a journalist in India who worked to change the condition and direction of the media. I learnt from my guru Uday Shankar Ji that one should never try to sell one’s own face; instead, create new faces. Today’s leading television channels have already established the anchors who appear on their screens, but our responsibility is to give opportunities to the next generation and nurture new talent.”
Neeraj’s Enduring Legacy
Paying tribute to Mahakavi Gopaldas ‘Neeraj’, CMD Upendrra Rai said that the poet gifted Hindi cinema more than 150 timeless songs that continue to resonate across generations.
Collaborating with legendary music composers such as SD Burman, Shankar-Jaikishan, Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Jaidev, Neeraj created a golden chapter in Indian film music.
Recalling a difficult phase of his own life, CMD Upendrra Rai became emotional and recited Neeraj Ji’s immortal lines:
Chhip-chhip ashru bahaane waalon! Moti vyarth lutaane waalon!
Kuchh sapnon ke mar jaane se, jeevan nahin mara karta hai…
Doobe bina nahaane waalon, geeli umr bitaane waalon!
Kuchh paani ke bah jaane se, saawan nahin mara karta hai.
The lines penned by CMD Upendrra Rai in memory of Neeraj Ji, “Teri mohabbat mein hum saada rahenge, Tu aaye na aaye, hum aadha hi rahenge.”
Life and Honours
Mahakavi Gopaldas ‘Neeraj’ passed away on July 19, 2018. He was born on January 4, 1925, in Puravali village, near Mahewa block in Uttar Pradesh’s Etawah district.
Mahakavi Gopaldas ‘Neeraj’ became the first personality in Indian literature to receive both the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan for his contributions to education and literature. He was also a three-time Filmfare Award winner for Best Lyricist in Hindi cinema.
The overwhelming turnout of literature enthusiasts and music lovers at ‘Ek Shaam Neeraj Ke Naam’ in Mumbai reaffirmed that Mahakavi Neeraj continues to live on through his songs, ghazals and timeless thoughts.
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