Kaleem Usmani

Kaleem Usmani (born Ehtisham Ilahi; 28 February 1928 28 August 2000) was a Pakistani Urdu poet who wrote ghazals, naats, patriotic songs and more than one hundred songs for thirty-seven Urdu films.

He worked at Pakistan Television Corporation and Radio Pakistan besides working for Pakistan films during which he wrote lyrics for Urdu films.

Early life Kaleem Usmani was born Ehtisham Ilahi in Saharanpur, British India on 28 February 1928, After partition of the Indian subcontinent, he migrated to Pakistan and lived his life in Lahore city.

Career Prior to migration, he learnt poetry from his father Fazal Ilahi. When he settled in Lahore, he took poetry classes from Ehsan Danish. He was often invited to mushairas and subsequently he was offered work in films as a lyricist. His first film was Intekhab (1955).

Patriotic songs In 1973, he wrote Pakistani film song "Tera Saya Jaha Bhi Ho, Palkein Bichhaaun" for Gharana film for which he was awarded a Nigar Award. His patriotic songs include "Is Parcham Ke Saye Taley Hum Eik Hain" and "Ye Watan Tumhara Hai".

Death He died on 28 August 2000 in Lahore and is buried in a cemetery of Lahore, Pakistan.

Awards