These are the men who stay in the background, but it's their work which speaks - literally! Meet the men who wrote some memorable lyrics for the music albums that came in 2006.
1. Sayeed Quadri [Wo Lamhe, Bas Ek Pal, Anwar]
Sayeed Quadri has been around for years. But it was only in year 2006 when he became a household name, well almost, for some priceless gems that he contributed to Hindi film songs scene. With number of back to back superhit songs to his credit throughout the year, he enters 2007 as a lyricist to reckon with when it comes to heartwarming love songs. Watch out for songs as diverse as oh-so-lovely-and-intimate 'Chal Chale Apne Ghar' [Woh Lamhe], cry-of-love 'Tere Bin' [Bas Ek Pal] and ever-so-romantic 'Maula Mere' [Anwar] and you would know why!
2. Gulzar [Omkara, Jaanemann, Guru]
Gulzar saab may have been in news most for his 'Beedi' [Omkara] in the year gone by but one must not forget that he came up with some beautiful songs like 'Ajnabi Shehar' and 'Saud Dard' [Jaan E Mann] that just fell short of being great! This was not all as he united with A.R.Rahman for 'Jaage Hain' in 'Guru' that has undoubtedly turned out to be one of the best songs to have been churned out in 2006. He is one veteran whose craft is becoming popular with audience across generations over the years!
3. Javed Akhtar [KANK, Don, Umrao Jaan]
Not to be left behind in the race of some unforgettable songs, Javed Akhtar saab came up with 'Mitwa' [Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna] that sits at the top when it comes to one of the most popular numbers in past year. This was not all as he reserved one of his best writings for son Farhan when he penned 'Aaj Ki Raat' [Don]. On the face value, the song sounds like just one of those many pre-climax/climax songs but explore it minutely and you could hear an entire story unfold in those few words! And yes, it's a pity that his superb work for 'Umrao Jaan' completely went unnoticed! Have you lend an ear to 'Jhoote Ilzam' yet?
4. Amitabh Verma [Bas Ek Pal, Ankahee]
A relative newcomer, young Amitabh knows how to present poetry to the current audience. He may not be an ultimate wordsmith with the greatest of vocabulary but when it comes to sheer human emotions, he knows how to bring it fore to the 'aam junta'. Hear some under rated but highly effective songs like 'Zindagi Hosh Mein' [Bas Ek Pal] and 'Ek Pal Ke Liye' [Ankahee] and you can't help but give two thumbs up to the stranglehold of Amitabh on tugging at your heart strings!
5. Sameer [Salaam E Ishq, Humko Deewana Kar Gaye, Baabul, Ankahee]
Mr. Consistent Sameer continued to deliver one chartbuster after another [as he has done in last couple of decades]! While there were innumerous chartbusters to his credit in 2006, the songs where his writing impressed most were 'Dil Kya Kare' [Salaam E Ishq], 'Humko Deewana Kar Gaye' [Humko Deewana Kar Gaye], 'Kehta Hai Baabul', 'Baawri Piya Ki' [Baabul] and 'Ankahee' [Ankahee]. A man capable of so much more than he is actually being recognized for, Sameer knows how to deliver different kind of lyrics for different films.
6. Mayur [Gangster]
Last year he gave us 'Halka Halka Sa Ye Nasha' [Chocolate] and this year he came up with 'Bheegi Bheegi' [Gangster]! The young man certainly knows how to pen a song for a particular situation. In his short career so far, Mayur has been fast making his presence felt. Hit tracks like the one mentioned above only help his cause! Shying away from the routine 'pyaar mohabbat' route, he belongs to the clan of new age lyricists who aspire to make their music and songs different while staying in the parameter of commercial Bollywood cinema.
7. Prasoon Joshi [Fanaa]
Afrer some superb songs for 'Rang De Basanti', the music of which released late 2005, Prasoon Joshi was in form as always for the work he did in 'Fanaa'. He wrote a heartwarming 'Mere Haath Mein' for the film that ignited all around passion with Aamir Khan and Kajol setting the screen on fire. He has been selective with one project at a time but his work is sure to be heard a lot more in the coming months as his stocks have increased manifold in 2006.
8. Irshad Kamil [Ahista Ahista]
Just 2 years in the industry and Irshad Kamil has number of quality songs to his credit. With an impressive lineage of films like 'Chameli', 'Shabd', 'Socha Na Tha' and 'Karam' behind him, Irshad had another reason to smile last year as his songs for 'Ahista Ahista' were well appreciated. Can we hear more of him in the coming months?
9. Mudassar Aziz [Zindaggi Rocks]
Already sitting pretty on the director's hot seat for 'Dulha Mil Gaya' starring none other than Shahrukh Khan and Sushmita Sen, young Mudassar Aziz has been in the industry for just a few years. As a lyricist, his moment of glory came with the work he did for 'Zindaggi Rocks'. 'Humko Choone Paas Aayiye' never fails to seduce and still makes you long for the love that you either have...or lost!
10. Aditya Dhar [Kabul Express]
Just one song and it made one stand up and notice a name - Aditya Dhar. Along with Swartmika Mishra and Vijay Kumar, he came up with 'Banjar', an excellent number reflecting the state of once beautiful Afghanistan, for the film 'Kabul Express'. With Yash Raj Films backing numerous newcomers for their upcoming projects, it would be interesting to see if these three men are heard more in future.