Shankardas Kesarilal (August 30, 1923 Rawalpindi-December 14, 1966 Mumbai), popularly known by his pen-name Shailendra, was a popular Indian Hindi lyricist.

Shailendra was born in Rawalpindi (Undivided India) to Kesarilal and Parvati Devi. He was eldest of their four sons. When he was a child, his family moved to Mathura. Soon after, his mother died.

Shailedra started his career as an employee with Indian Railways. His job brought him to Mumbai (then Bombay) in 1947. He started writing poetry during these days. Once, when he was reading out his poem Jalta hai Punjab at a public meeting, filmmaker Raj Kapoor noticed him. He offered to buy poems written by Shailendra and use them for his movie Aag (1948). Shailendra, a member of the left wing IPTA, was wary of mainstream Indian cinema and refused. However, after the birth of his son, Shaily, he needed money and himself approached Raj Kapoor.

Shailendra's first project for Raj Kapoor was the movie Barsaat (1949). For Rs 500, he wrote two songs: Patli kamar hai and Barsaat mein. The music for Barsaat was composed by Shankar-Jaikishan. The team of Raj Kapoor, Shailendra and Shankar-Jaikishan produced many superhits.

In the days when composers would recommend lyricists to producers. Shankar-Jaikishan had promised Shailendra that they would recommend him around, but didn't keep their promise. Shailendra sent them a note with the lines, "Chhoti Si Yeh Duniya Pehchaane Raaste Hain Kahin To Miloge Phir Poochhenge Haal". Shankar-Jaikishan realized what the message meant and having said sorry, turned the lines into a well know song.

Apart from Shankar-Jaikishan, Shailendra also shared a rapport with composers such as Salil Chowdhary (Madhumati), Sachin Dev Burman ( Guide, Bandini) and Ravi Shankar (Anuradha). Apart from Raj Kapoor, he shared a rapport with filmmakers such as Bimal Roy (Do Bigha Zameen, Madhumati, Bandini) and Dev Anand (Guide).

Shailendra had invested in the movie Teesri Kasam, which was not successful. It is said that this was the ultimate cause of his death. His son Shaily Shailendra is also a lyricist.