A Gujarati book published this week pays homage to lyricists of the golden age of Hindi film music who have largely remained unsung.

The book "Gata Rahe Mera Dil" features nine major poets of the silver screen - Shailendra, Rajendra Krishna, Shakil Badayuni, Hasrat Jaypuri, Kaifi Azmi, Sahir Ludhianvi, Anand Baxi, Majruh Sultanpuri and Indeevar.

It offers detailed biographies, rare photographs, a "filmography" or list of all films featuring the songs of these lyricists and 15 of each lyricist's best songs.

Why lyricists?

"When film music buffs hear a song, they immediately say this is (sung) by Lata Mangeshkar or (composed) by Kalyanji-Anandji. But the lyricist ranks lower in popular imagination," Salil Dalal, the author told.

"Lyricists, of course, should command equal respect. I hope my book helps film buffs appreciate their contribution."

Dalal, a noted film columnist, said lyricists brought poetry to the commoners.

"When you hear a handcart-pushing woman singing 'Is duniya men hum aye hai to jina hi padega', you realise that film songs could have been the only way she could have expressed her plight," he remarked.

"Hindi films have given us songs for all occasions. Songs of happiness, of sadness, for parting and for reunions. Songs of war and friendship.

"There is a song for every festival, be it Holi, Diwali or Independence Day," Dalal said.

The nine lyricists contributed to the making of the golden age of Hindi film music.

"Whatever attracted us during the age of 10-25 years, usually stays with us for the rest of our lives. In my case, it was the period 1960-1975, the golden period of Hindi film music," said Dalal.

"Songs from that era provided the nation with a popular lexicon. People resort to these songs to express their innermost feelings. I thought we needed to repay our debts to those wordsmiths."