Initial Days

Hasrat was born Iqbal Husain in Jaipur, where he studied English till medium level, and then acquired his taalim in Urdu and Persian from his grandfather, Fida Husain. He began writing verse, when he was around twenty years old. Around same time, he fell in love with a Hindu girl named Radha. He wrote a poem for her, Yeh mera prem patra padh kar, ke tum naaraaz na hona. Later, the poem was used as a song in Raj Kapoor's film, Sangam (1964).

Career in Bollywood

In 1940, Hasrat came to Bombay (now Mumbai), and worked as a bus conductor, earning a monthly salary of eleven rupees. He used to participate in mushairas. At a mushaira, Prithviraj Kapoor noticed Hasrat and recommended him to his son, Raj Kapoor. Raj Kapoor was planning a musical love story, Barsaat (1949) with Shankar-Jaikishan. Hasrat wrote his first recorded song, Jiya Beqaraar Hai for the film. His second song (and first duet) was Chhod Gaye Baalam.

Along with Shailendra, Hasrat wrote lyrics for all Raj Kapoor films till 1971. But after the death of Jaikishan, and failures of Mera Naam Joker and Kal Aaj Aur Kal, Raj Kapoor turned to other lyricists and music directors. Kapoor initially wanted to call him back for Prem Rog, but later settled for another lyricist, Amir Qazalbash. Kapoor finally asked him to write lyrics for the film, Ram Teri Ganga Maili. Later, he also invited him to write three songs for the movie Henna. Hasrat alleges that after Raj Kapoor's death, the music composer Ravindra Jain "conspired" to "scrap" his lyrics and replace them with his own lyrics.

When fellow lyricist Shailendra turned producer with Teesri Kasam, he invited Hasrat to write lyrics for the movie. He also wrote screenplay for the movie Hulchul (1951). His last film as a lyricist was Hatya: The Murder (2004).

Some of His Famous Songs

Zindagi ek safar hai suhana (Andaz)
Teri pyari pyari soorat ko (Sasural) (This song was specially written for Chanda Jaipuri)
'"Pankh hote to ud aati re (Sehra)
Tere khayalon meinhum (Geet Gaya Pattharon Ne)
Ehsan tera hoga mujh par (Junglee)
Tum mujhe yoon bhula na paaoge (Pagla Kahin Ka)
Sayonara sayonara (Love In Tokyo)
Aao twist karen (Bhoot Bangla)
Ajhoon na aaye baalma (Sanjh Aur Savera)
Duniya bananewale (Teesri Kasam)
Sun Sahiba Sun (Ram Teri Ganga Maili)
Unke Khayal Aaye To (Lal Patthar)
Badan Pe Sitare Lapete Hue (Prince)
(Hasrat Jaipuri was inspired to write this song on seeing a woman dressed in a sari studded with glittering stars in Paris)

Personal life

Hasrat Jaipuri was a humble person by nature.In the year 1985 during the month of February he made a visit with his wife to Hyderabad to meet Arun and Sanjay Deshpande and for sightseeing. While sitting beside Sanjay Deshpande and watching chitrahar on TV the song ,"Hum ko to jaan se pyari hai tumhari ankhee...." from the film NAINA happened to be telecast and he was delighted and exclaimed "Are yeh to mera gana hai"(this happens to be my song)

He made a visit to the NIZAM CHARITABLE TRUST and the staff were thrilled on seeing him.He also made a visit to Sajjad Kishore (a singer who sang kishore numbers in orchestra) in king koti.But to his disappointment he wasn't at home but he did wait for him.The next day when Sajjad Kishore was informed about his visit he immediately visited him and touched his feet in apology.

While returning to Mumbai by minar express a person appeared to recognize him at the secundrabad train station.He exclaimed that he(HASRAT JAIPURI) was a famous person but he was unable to guess his name.On further interrogation he was jubilant on recognizing him.He touched his feet in respect and asked him,"Sir you are a very famous lyricist you should be traveling by plane?" to which Hasrat Jaipuri replied "Am i not a human that i cannot travel by train?"(he was travelling by second class).This example clearly illustrates his down to earth nature.

Awards

Filmfare Best Lyricist Award - 1972 for Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana (Andaz)
Filmfare Best Lyricist Award - 1966 for Baharon Phool Barsao (Suraj)
Josh Malihabadi Award, from Urdu Conference
Dr. Ambedkar Award, for Jhanak Jhanak Tori Baaje Payaliya (Mere Huzoor), a Brajbhasha song
Hasrat was also awarded a doctorate from the World University Round Table.