Maya Govind, the renowned Hindi film lyricist and poet, died on Thursday in Mumbai. She was 82.
Her funeral will take place on Thursday afternoon. Her son, Ajay Govind, told Indian Express that the veteran lyricist was unwell for the past two months. “She was hospitalised twice, once in December last year, and then in January this year. She had blood clots in her brain and other health issues like urinary infection. She died in her sleep at home this morning, around 9.30 am,” he said.
Talking to ETimes, her son further said, “She was deteriorating slowly because the clot in her brain was causing her problems. At times, it seemed like her condition would improve but then it would get worse. We brought her home from the hospital about a month and a half back, so that we could take better care of her. This morning she passed away after suffering a heart attack.”
“She was not active due to health reasons, but she used to love reciting her poems whenever she would visit relatives and friends. She was very close to Kalyanji-Anandji, Ramanand Sagar and Bappi Lahiri,” her son further shared.
Govind has written songs for more than 350 films and music albums, as well as several TV serials in the 80s.
Born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh in 1940, she started her career as a film lyricist. Some of the popular songs written by her are Aankhon Mein Base ho Tum (Takkar), Gale Mein Laal Tie (Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam), Thahre Huey Paani Mein (Dalaal) and the title track of the film Main Khiladi Tu Anari.
She is also the author of ten books, which have ghazals, couplets, nazms, and spiritual songs written for gods and goddesses.
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Govind also worked in films like Aarop, Jalte Badan, Sawan Ko Aane Do, Pighalta Aasman, Daman, Gaj Gamini, Ganga Ki Kasam, Razia Sultan, Yarana and Janta Ki Adalat, among others. She won many awards over the course of her career for her writing. Govind was also awarded Best Actress by Sangeet Natak Academy, Lucknow in 1970, for her memorable performance as Venare Bai in the famous stage play Khamosh! Adalat Jari Hai by playwright Vijay Tendulkar.