MUMBAI: Renowned veteran lyricist Gulshan Bawra passed away at his Pali Hill home in Mumbai on Friday morning.

The 70 year old lyricist who penned popular yesteryear Hindi film songs like �Mere desh ki dharti', 'Khullam khulla pyar karenge', 'Yaari hai imaan mera' and many others was suffering from a prolonged illness.

Gulshan was originally Gulshan Mehta and was named Bawra (madman) by film distributor Shantibhai Patel due to his fetish of wearing colorful shirts. The industry later referred him as �Gulshan Bawra'.

Bawra, who started his career with Indian Railways, was also on the board of The Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS), for the past seven years and held the position of director till his death. IPRS CEO Rakesh Nigam remembers him as a happy go lucky man who found humour in all situations. He says, Gulshan Bawra's death is a great loss to the music industry as he has penned some legendary songs in the last century. His songs evoked nationalism and are still considered as immortal....

Bawra was selective and had penned only 250 songs in a career spanning 49 years. Hailing from Pakistan, Bawra moved to India after the Partition after his parents were killed in the riots. Bawra started writing poetry at the age of six.

His first break came with the film Chandrasena in 1959 composed by Kalyanji of the composer Kalyanji-Anandji duo  He wrote the song 'Main Kya Jaanu Kahaan' sung by Lata Mangeshkar. However, his real break came with the film Satta Bazar again composed by Kalyanji-Anandji. For this film he delivered hit numbers like 'Chaandi Ke Chand Tukado Ke Liye', 'Aakde Kaa Dhanda', and 'Tumhe Yad Hoga Kabhi Hum Mile The'.

His association with Kalyanji-Anandji resulted in his writing 69 songs for the musicial duo in his career of 42 years. Gulshan also had a winning combination with the music master R D Burman and wrote 150 songs for the legendary composer. With hit lyrics in films like Sanam Teri Kasam, Agar Tum Na Hote, Satte Pe Satta, Yeh Vaada Raha, Haath Ki Safai and Rafoo Chakkar, Gulshan Bawra became a highest paid lyricist in his time. Although he has delivered very less songs as compared to other lyricist in the industry, he was glad that his lyrics are contentful and never compromised for any thing.
Gulshan Bawra bagged two Filmfare awards for his songs Mere Desh Ki Dharati (Upkar) and Yaari Hai Imaan Mera (Zanjeer).

Gulshan Bawra's Popular Songs over the years-

* Agar Tum Na Hote - Agar Tum Na Hote

* Pyar Hamen Kis Mod Pe Le Aaya - Satte Pe Satta

* Zindagi Milke Bitayenge, Haale Dil Gaake Sunaayenge - Satte Pe Satta

* Mere Desh Ki Dharti - Upkar

* Yaari Hai Imaan Mera - Zanjeer

* Kasme Vaade Nibhayenge Hum - Kasme Vaade

* Waada Karle Saajana - Haath Ki Safai

* Le Pappiyaan Jhappiyaan Paale Hum - Haqeeqat

* Peenewalon Ko Peene Ka Bahana Chahiye - Haath Ki Safai

* Kitne Bhi Tu Karle Sitam - Sanam Teri Kasam

* Jivan Ke Har Mod Pe Mil Jayenge Humsafar - Jhoota Kahin Ka

* Tu Tho Hai Wohi - Yeh Vaada Raha

* Aati Rahengi Baharein - Kasme Vaade

* Teri Badmashiyan - Zulmi