Savita Singh Nepali at a news meet in Ranchi on Sunday. (Prashant Mitra)

It’s perhaps the best gift on the 100th birth anniversary of writer, editor, poet and lyricist Gopal Singh Nepali.

Gopal Singh Nepali Foundation and Savita Singh Nepali, the versatile personality’s niece, have decided to bring out a souvenir on his life and works, which we will be unveiled in Ranchi in March. At present, Savita and members of the foundation are busy touring the places that Gopal Singh had visited to collect information on the latter.

“My uncle often stayed at their Doranda residence in the state capital with his second mother Uma Rana. We are trying to gather information about his Ranchi visits,” Savita said.

Gopal Singh was also a frequent visitor to Shimla, Varanasi, besides Mumbai, where he was associated with the film industry. “We are covering all these places to dig out facts that will be moulded into the souvenir. We will also host a poets’ meet where all notable Bollywood singers will be invited,” Savita added.

Born at Bettiah in West Champaran district of Bihar on August 11, 1911, Gopal Singh authored seven books and penned more than 400 songs for 54 Bollywood movies. He has worked with legendary artistes like Md Rafi, Asha Bhonsle, Lata Mangeshkar, Suman Kalyanpur, Mukesh, Suraiya, Sachin Dev Burman and Ashok Kumar.

Gopal Singh died at Bhagalpur station in Bihar on April 17,1963, while touring different parts of the country in a crusade against the 1962 Chinese aggression on India.