MUMBAI:  Hindi movie lyricist Gulshan Bawra passed away at his Pali Hill residence in Mumbai on 7 August, 2009.

Bawra wrote the lyrics for some of the famous songs like, Yaari Hai Imaan Mera Yaar Meri Zindagi for which he also won a Filmfare award; Mere Desh Ki Dharti and Kasme Vaade Nibhayenge Hum. He had worked mostly with music composers RD Burman and Kalyanji Anandji.

He came to Mumbai in search of a job in the railways but started looking for a break in Bollywood. He struggled till Kalyanji gave him a break in the film Chandrasena in 1959. He was born in Pakistan and was originally called Gulshan Mehta until he was rechristened Gulsha Bawra by distributor Shanti Patel during the making of the film Satta Bazar.

In a career spanning 42 years, Bawra has to his credit about 240 songs most of which were composed by the late RD Burman. His last hit was Le Pappiyaan Jhappiyaan Paale Hum for Haqeeqat in 1995.

Bawra also acted in 21 films, including Upkaar, Pavitra Paapi, Beimaan, Zanjeer, Indrajeet and Jwar Bhaata; two of his last films were English Babu Desi Mem and Zulmi.

He was 72 years old and died of a cardiac arrest. He is survived by his wife Anju. The chautha will be held at the Arya Samaj on Khar Linking Road on Monday.