आवाज़ और अलफ़ाज़ - Identify the Lyricist from the Song

“Identify the lyricist from the song” is my favorite pastime when I listen to songs. Lyricists tend to have characteristic expressions or imagery that gives you a clue if you haven’t heard the song before.

YouTube and Facebook have some interesting examples of similar thoughts, games and challenges.

To paraphrase Siddharth Sharma’s post of Facebook cited above,

“The immortal legacy of words, music and culture make Indian Hindi cinema one of the largest film industries in the world. The most important basis of its popularity has been its music and lyrics. Hindi film songs were not only a source of entertainment, but they also became living documents of the emotions, culture, traditions, struggles and sensibilities of Indian society. Literary Hindi songs, in particular, lent a dignity to Indian cinema that made films a confluence of literature, music and culture rather than mere visual mediums.”

(My translation of his Hindi essay).

If this sounds like something you enjoy, I have curated ten songs I love very much for their lyrics as much as the melody in this quiz.

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आवाज़ और अलफ़ाज़ – Identify the Lyricists

In Hindi cinema, the tune may pull you onto the dance floor, but the lyrics are what linger in your mind long after the music fades. “आवाज़ और अलफ़ाज़” is a celebration of those lyricists – from the classic poets of the golden era to the new voices who are keeping poetry alive in a beat‑driven age.

This quiz begins with the legends: the writers whose words brought philosophy, romance, protest, and everyday life into songs that still feel fresh decades later. As we move into the new millennium, the focus shifts to up‑and‑coming lyricists who have carved out their own space, crafting thoughtful lines even when rhythm and melody often threaten to drown out the poetry.

Each question will present you with a song, and your task is to identify the lyricist behind it. For hardcore film-buffs, there will be subtle clues – trademark metaphors, favorite themes, recurring images and catchphrases that give away a writer’s signature style. For more casual listeners, the journey will still be fun: you can enjoy the songs, notice patterns, make smart guesses, and maybe discover a few new favorite names along the way. But in case you’re stuck and looking for clues, there’s a “hint” icon (“?”) at the top left-hand corner of each question. Click that to get additional background on the lyricist.

Many of the questions have a backstory. Please feel free to discuss those stories and more in the comments section. Your active participation in the dialog will keep me motivated to continue to post more quizzes like this. You will find a “comment” section below the quiz. If you would like to report any discrepancies in the question or the answer provided, please use the “Report Error” icon at the bottom of each question for your convenience.

So, hum along, listen a little closer to the words, and see how often you can trace a song back to the mind that wrote it. By the end, you won’t just know the music of Hindi cinema a bit better – you’ll know its voices and its words. Enjoy the quiz!

?

This lyricist wrote songs most frequently for Dilip Kumar movies.

1 / 10

Identify the lyricist of this song – Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho (Chaudhvin Ka Chand)

1. Sahir Ludhianvi

2. Jan Nisar Akhtar

3. Kaifi Azmi

4. Shakeel Badayuni

Incorrect!

While Kaifi Azmi, Sahir Ludhianvi and Jan Nisar Akhtar have all written some memorable ghazals, their style and approach to ghazals often goes beyond the traditional focus of ghazals, i.e., a continuous stream of praise for the shabaab of the mashooka.

Sahir’s ghazals bring in a sharp commentary on society (like “Meri Mehboob Kahin Aur Mila Kar Mujh Se”). Kaifi infuses a philosophical angle even as he explores beauty. Jan Nisar Akhtar’s ghazals tend to cover a range of emotions and not focus just on adoration of the beloved.

Correct!

Shakeel Badayuni is perhaps the best exponent of the classical Urdu ghazal adapted to popular taste in Hindi movies. His songs rarely cross the boundaries of ishq and ibadat. His trademark is unabashed, ornate eulogizing of his beloved, and this song is a perfect example.

?

This Lyricist was a member of the Progressive Writers Association.

2 / 10

Identify the lyricist for this song – Tumne Mujhe Dekha (Teesri Manzil)

1. Majrooh Sultanpuri

2. Shailendra

3. Hasrat Jaipuri

4. Anand Bakshi

Incorrect!

“लेकर ये हसीन जलवे तुम
भी ना कहाँ पहुँचे
आखिर को मेरे दिल तक
कदमो के निशान पहुँचे”

This is not the typical style of poetry for Shailendra, Hasrat Jaipuri or Anand Bakshi

Correct!

Majrooh Sultanpuri’s love songs have a uniquely urbane, and somewhat nonchalant way or expressing love, even when the hero is trying to convince the heroine to accept him despite her misgivings.

In contrast, Shailendra’s love songs are earnest and self-effacing, Hasrat Jaipuri’s love songs are text-book “boy praises girl” poetry, and Anand Bakshi’s love songs are down-to-earth expressions in everyday language.

?

This lyricist started his career with a Bimal Roy movie.

3 / 10

Identify the Lyricist for this Song – Humne Dekhi Hai Un Aankhon Ki Mehakti Khusboo (Khamoshi)

1. Sahir Ludhianvi

2. Kaifi Azmi

3. Gulzar

4. Javed Akhtar

Incorrect!

“Aankhon Ki Mehakti Khushboo” is not the type of metaphor typically used by Javed Akhtar, Kaifi Azmi or Sahir Ludhianvi.

Correct!

Gulzar uses strikingly contradictory metaphors far more often than any other lyricist. “Aankhon Ki Mehakti Khushboo” is an unusual, surreal imagery that nevertheless feels right in the situation. The entire song is built over sensory crossovers and abstract images – trademark Gulzar.

?

This lyricist was an Sahitya Academy Award winning Urdu poet and worked as a professor in a university.

4 / 10

Identify the Lyricist for this song – Song: In Ankhon Ki Masti (Umrao Jaan)

1. Nida Fasli

2. Aahmed Faraz

3. Kaifi Azmi

4. Shahryar

Incorrect!

Nida Fasli, Ahmed Faraz and Kaifi Azmi have all written great Ghazals and some of them were made into movie songs, but this ghazal does not fit their style of writing.

Correct!

Shahryar (Akhlaq Mohammed Khan) was a professor of Urdu and a Ghazal writer. He entered into movies late in his life and wrote some great songs for movies like Gaman and Umrao Jaan. He uses Urdu in a precise, academic way, using words like waabasta, afsaane, anjuman etc that are staple of traditional literary Urdu, but it is not heavily persian influenced.

?

This Lyricist wrote some iconic devotional songs in Hindi movies although he is an atheist.

5 / 10

Identify the Lyricist for this song – Chin O Arab Hamara Hindustan Hamara (Phir Subah Hogi)

1. Kaifi Azmi

2. Pradeep

3. Sahir Ludhianvi

4. Shakeel Badayuni

Incorrect!

Shakeel Badayuni, Kaifi Azmi and Pradeep do write songs touching on political or patriotic themes on occasion, but they are not known for the kind of sarcasm and castigation of status quo shown in this song.

Correct!

Sahir Ludhianvi took two of Iqbal’s famous poems – “Saare Jahan Se Accha” and “Cheeen-o-Arab Hamara” and wrote a scathing critique of the post-independence India, where the common man has no house to live in, yet is exhorted to extol the virtues of the country as being “the best in the world”.

?

The lyricist wrote the famous IPTA Marching song “Tu Zinda Hai To Zindagi Ki Jeet Mein Yakeen Kar”

6 / 10

Identify the lyricist for this song – Khoya Khoya Chand Khula Aasman (Kala Bazar)

1. Majrooh Sultanpuri

2. Sahir Ludhianvi

3. Shailendra

4. Hasrat Jaipuri

Incorrect!

This song is characterized by the use of simple, singable words with emphasis on allieration and a simple rhyming patter to convey a dreamy feeling of yearning and longing.

Hasrat Jaipuri is known for his romantic intensity expressed in eloquent Urdu and Hindi words in ghazals and nazms. You will find more of an urdu flavor in his songs than what you see in this song.

Majrooh Sultanpuri had a versatile vocabulary and wrote both lighthearted and deeply philosophical songs, but his language in general is more like a conversation. You will not find the emphasis on alliteration and rhyme that you see in this song.

Sahir Ludhianvi’s songs usually focus on powerful impact and give less importance to the lyrical flow (not to say that his songs are not melodious – far from it!). Sahir also depicts nature quite extensively in his songs, but this song has a quality that is very different from some of Sahir’s well known songs like “Parbaton Ke Pedon Par” or “Yeh Vaadiyan, Yeh Fizaaayein”.

Correct!

Shailendra had the trademark ability to create great images with very little use of ornate urdu words – in other words, plain but poetic. He is also well known for alliteration and simple rhyming patterns in his songs. “Kisi Ki Muskurahaton pe ho nisar” is a great example of this unique ability of his.

?

This lyricist participated participated in the Quit India movement as a young student.

7 / 10

Identify the lyricist for this song – Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahi Ho (Arth)

1. Javed Akhtar

2. Kaifi Azmi

3. Sheharyar

4. Gulzar

Incorrect!

Javed Akhtar, Shaheryar and Gulzar have all written sensitive songs addressing existential pain in a poignant way. However, this song has a characteristically subtle elegance that is distinct from the styles of each of these lyricists. Javed Akhtar’s style is direct and declarative. Gulzar uses striking visuals and metaphors that catch your attention. Shahryar uses classical Urdu (slanting towards Persianized vocabulary).

By contrast, this song is carefully avoiding excessive sophistication and ornate language while still retaining the essence of a poetic ethos and being gentle yet piercingly meaningful.

Correct!

Kaifi Azmi wrote a masterful ghazal with unmatched emotional maturity in exploring pain and self-deception. Kaifi’s ability to gently probe the inner turmoil of the characters can be seen in songs like “Waqt Ne Kiya, Kya Haseen Sitam”, “Din Dhal Jaye, Haye Raat Na Jaaye” etc.

?

This lyricist frequently appears in Mushairas.

8 / 10

Identify the Lyricist for this song – Ek Tukda Dhoop Ka (Thappad)

1. Javed Akhtar

2. Varun Grover

3. Shakeel Azmi

4. Kausar Munir

Incorrect!

Varun Grover, Kausar Munir and Javed Akhtar are all popular lyricists in the 2020s, but this song does not fit their writing style.

Correct!

Shakeel Azmi is a well-known Urdu poet who frequently appears in Mushairas and has a unique writing style. He uses vivid images that are striking in their assonance, like Gulzar. In this song, there’s a line that’s very similar to Gulzar’s writing style – “hum likhe the deewaaron pe, baarish hui aur dhul gaye!”.

?

This lyricist was called “Shayar-e-azam” by music director O P Nayyar.

9 / 10

Identify the lyricist for this song – Mera Pyar Woh Hain (Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi)

1. Shakeel Badayuni

2. S H Bihari

3. Hasrat Jaipuri

4. Majrooh Sultanpuri

Incorrect!

Shakeel Badayuni never wrote lyrics for a song composed by O P Nayyar. Majrooh Sultanpuri and Hasrat Jaipuri did write lyrics for a few songs composed by O P Nayyar, but most of them tend to be breezy love songs and not earnest professing of eternal love like this one.

Correct!

OP Nayyar and SH Bihari is an iconic combination that produced gems like “Deewana Hua Badal”, “Bahut Shukriya, Badi Meharbani”, “Chain Se Humko Kabhi”, etc.

?

This lyricist comes from a family of poets.

10 / 10

Identify the lyricist for this song – Radha Kaise Na Jale (Lagaan)

1. Prasoon Joshi

2. Javed Akhtar

3. Sameer

4. Irshad Kamil

Incorrect!

Sameer, Prasoon Joshi, and Irshad Kamil have very distinct literary styles, but none of them are known for the kind of word play shown in this song – “Kanhaji ka jo sada idhar udhar dhyan rahe, Radha bechari ko phir apne pe kya maan rahe”.

Correct!

Javed Akhtar’s approach to love is analytical rather than emotional or devotional, and in this song, he turns jealousy into a debate between Radha and Krishna – instead of saying “kyon madhuban mein gopiyonke saath naach rahe ho?”, Radha challenges Krishna “Radha Kaise Na Jale?”.

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Thanks for participating in this quiz. Hope you had as much fun participating as we had in creating this quiz! Please provide feedback for improvement. Also, please add any details or background information that you feel would be of interest to other readers.

You will find more interesting Bollywood nostalgia quizzes in the Trivia.

Who are the lyricists missing in the quiz? Please tell us in the comments section below.

3 responses to “आवाज़ और अलफ़ाज़ – Identify the Lyricist from the Song”

Sanjeev Kamalia

May 14, 2026

Have been using the hints feature Uday.

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Sanjeev Kamalia

May 13, 2026

Obviously lyricist recognition is not my strong point. Enjoyed the quiz though since most of the songs are amongst my favourites. Keep them coming.

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1. Uday Nandivada
  
  May 13, 2026
  
  Thanks for the appreciation, Sanjeev.
  
  If you get stuck on a question, try clicking on the Hint icon (?) at the top left of the question. It may or may not help, but it will give you a bit more information about the lyricist.
  
  Regards,
  Uday
  
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