Dev Kohli was an Indian poet and lyricist who passed way passing away on August 26, 2023, at the age of 82. He left an indelible mark on Bollywood with his exceptional work, contributing lyrics to numerous iconic songs including Maaye Ni Maaye, Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen, Geet Gaata Hoon, O Saki Saki and many more. His lyrical prowess and creative output enriched the world of Hindi cinema.
| Name | Dev Kohli |
| Profession | Poet and Lyricist |
| Date of Birth | 2 November 1942 |
| Died On | 26 August 2023 at the age of 82 |
| Birth Place | Rawalpindi, Pakistan |
| Home Town | Dehradun, India |
| Parents | Mother: Vidya Kohli Father: Late Shanti Swarup Kohli |
| Siblings | Sister: Not Known Brother: Not Known |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Sikhim |
| Resistance | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
Birth & Early Life
Dev Kohli was born on 2 November 1942 in Rawalpindi, Pakistan to a middle-class Sikhim family. After partition, his family moved to Dehradun, India. where he continued his education at Shri Guru Nanak Dev Guru Maharaj College.
| School | Not Known |
| College | Shri Guru Nanak Dev Guru Maharaj College |
| Education Qualification | Graduated |
| Awards | Not Available |
Career
In 1964, Kohli made his way to Mumbai with hopes of a career in the film industry. The year 1969 marked his cinematic debut with the film “Gunda.” However, it was in 1971, through the song “Geet Gaata Hoon Main” featured in the film “Laal Patthar,” that he truly stepped into the limelight. This song achieved remarkable success, but its impact on his career was somewhat limited.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Kohli penned lyrics for numerous films, yet his contributions often went unnoticed. The tides turned once again in 1989 with the release of “Maine Pyaar Kiya.” The film’s tracks like “Aate Jaate Hanste Gaate,” “Kabootar Ja Ja Ja,” “Aaja Shaam Hone Aayee,” “Maine Pyar Kiya,” and “Kahe Toh Se Sajna” resonated deeply with audiences, propelling him back into the spotlight.
As the 1990s dawned, a notable creative partnership blossomed between Kohli and Anu Malik. Their collaborative efforts resulted in memorable songs such as “Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen” from “Baazigar” (1993) and “Dekho Dekho Jaanam Hum” from “Ishq” (1997).
However, in November 1998, a legal issue arose. Rakesh Sethi, a former vice-president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha political party, filed a case against Dev Kohli and singer Poornima for their alleged use of explicit language in the song “Ab Tak Hai Puri Azaadi” from the film Kudrat in 1998. Subsequently, a local court issued a non-bailable warrant against both individuals on April 1, 2003.
Awards & Nominations
Dev Kohli’s lyrical prowess has consistently garnered recognition in the realm of Indian cinema. In 1990, his composition “Aate Jaate Hanste Gaate” from the film “Maine Pyaar Kiya” earned him a well-deserved nomination for the Best Lyrics category. His remarkable ability to craft evocative verses was further acknowledged with nominations for the Best Lyrics award in subsequent years.
Notably, his composition “Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen” from the film “Baazigar” was nominated in 1994, followed by the nomination of “Hum Aapke Hain Koun” from “Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!” in 1995. Kohli’s contribution to the song “Saaki Saaki” from “Musafir” was recognized with a nomination for Best Lyrics at the IIFA Awards in 2005.
Even in 2018, his impact remained significant, as the song “Chalti Hai Kya Nau Se Baara” from “Judwaa 2” secured a nomination for Song of the Year at the Zee Cine Awards. Kohli’s consistent presence among award nominees underscores his enduring influence in shaping the lyrical landscape of Indian cinema.
