Jagdish Khebudkar

Jagdish Khebudkar (10 May 1932 – 3 May 2011) was a Marathi littérateur and lyricist of Marathi cinema, known for his songs in films like Pinjra (1972), Sadhi Mansa, Samna (1975), Chandra Hota Sakshila and Ashtavinayak.

Born in 1932 at Haladi village District Kolhapur Maharashtra, Khebudkar at the age of 16, wrote his first poem following the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948.

It was aired by the All India Radio.

and Doordarshan

Starting in 1960, he remained associated with the Marathi film industry for the next 50 years, during which he established a repertoire of 2500 songs in 300 films.

He also wrote 3500 poems, 25 stories and five plays.

He also wrote a prayer called 'नमस्कार माझ्या ज्ञानमंदिरा'

A teacher by profession, in 1960, Khebudkar started his career as songwriter in Marathi cinema, and went on to work with noted composers like Ram Kadam and Vasant Pawar during the 1960s and 1970s.

He wrote seven songs for V. Shantaram's Marathi hit film Pinjra (1972), he was felicitated the V. Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award, among others.

As songwriter, he wrote songs across genres, including romantic songs, religious-devotional songs and lavanis, which became popular in Marathi cinema.

Some of his most memorable Marathi songs were written for the films Kunku Lavte Mahercha, Bijli, Don Baika Phajeeti Aika, Samna and Manaacha Mujra.

He died on 3 May 2011 in Kolhapur from lung infection, while being treated for renal ailment.

He was cremated on the banks of Panchganga, Kolhapur.

He is survived by two sons and two daughters.