Lyricist Shailendra to get memorial in UP

A memorial gate will be built in Mathura in Uttar Pradesh to honour late lyricist Shailendra who studied and spent many years here pursuing his passion for writing before shifting to Mumbai.

Mathura MP and veteran actress Hema Malini assured a delegation of the Jan Sanskratik Manch that she would fund the construction of the memorial gate in Mathura.

The delegation members told IANS on Monday night that it was Shailendra who played an important part in getting the actress launched in "Sapnon Ka Saudagar" with actor, producer and director Raj Kapoor.

Three-time winner of Filmfare awards for his lyrics, a commemorative stamp of Shailendra was released in 2013. His son Dinesh has been working on a documentary on the life of the lyricist whose birthday falls on August 30.

A big programme with lyricist Javed Akhtar would be held here on August 31, said Dinesh.

Shailendra wrote memorable songs like "Awaara hoon, ya gardish mein hoon aasman ka tara hoon" and songs from "Teesri Kasam", but did not get the kind of attention he deserved, said Ashok Bansal, secretary, Jan Sanskratik Manch.