Jaane kahan gaye voh din!

swarrier#29:

Guilty as charged. I am referring only to Hindi cinema. My familiarity with South Indian music is limited to a small collection of Carnatic music. Of the new music directors you have mentioned, I have not heard of Shantanu Moitra. I like Bhpen Hazarika a lot and Vanraj Bhatia is also okay.

You are right about Shankar Jaikishan using a large orchestra, as did Naushad also to some extent. But I think that their forte was melodious music and not orchestra. I am personally partial to music directors who are economical in their use of the orchestra, such as Khayam, O. P. Nayyar and S. D. Burman. I find Burman to be especially perfectionist in the use of orchestra.

One of the best of Pakistani music world passed away yesterday: May Allah rest his soul in peace.

Nisar Bazmi: Composer of the heart
By Anis Shakur




Nisar Bazmi: Composer of the heart
By Anis Shakur

He was born in 1924 in Khandesh, Naseerabad, Bombay, India, to a religious and God-fearing family.

He did not belonged to an artistic family. Hence he possessed no prior musical background.

Pride of Pakistan, Syed Nisar Ahmed, is the son of Syed Qudrat Ali.

The extraordinary talents of the young prodigy never ringed as true as they did in 1937.

Noted Indian musician of Bombay, Khan Saheb Aman Ali Khan, convinced of Nisar`s musical interest, taught him music.

Equipped with artistic know-how, young Nisar, who was just 13 at the time, quickly mastered the various ragas, the musical instruments and took all music lessons to heart.

The tremendous aptitude of this youth were there, just waiting to be used.

In 1939, the ``All India Radio`` hired him as an artist, which later proved to be a steppingstone for his future aspirations.

The magic moment came in the year 1944.

He composed some songs for a drama, ``Nadir Shah Durrani``, which was broadcast from the Bombay Radio Station.

All the songs of afore mentioned drama were super hits.

A new Indian film producer at that time was moved by Nisar`s composition.

Hence the afore mentioned producer asked Nisar to compose the songs for his film ``Jamana Paar``, which was released in 1946.

Nisar accepted the offer and changed his name to Nisar Bazmi. He dived into his new task with zeal.

Thus a legend was born, whose fabulous music were soon to be heard across the Subcontinent.

Nisar soon achieved maturity and professional recognition.

Before partition, he composed the music for forty films.

Twenty eight films were released during his stay in India. The rest of the movies were released in India after he immigrated to Pakistan.

Mentioned here below are the five films, whose songs were composed by Nisar during his stay in India. These films were released before partition:

``Jamana Paar``, ``Jabe Katra``, ``Dagha baaz dost``, ``Extra girl``, ``Khauf naak Aankhein``.

Nisar migrated to Pakistan on June 21, 1962.

Once permanently settled in Pakistan, he resumed his music career by simultaneously composing songs for two movies:

Director Nazeer Sufi`s film ``Head constable`` (released on September 25, 1964) and director Fazal Ahmed Karim Fazli`s movie ``Aisa bhi hota hai`` (released on February 5, 1965).


With that commenced a resplendent career in which he kept up his initial promise.

Altogether, he brilliantly composed songs for seventy movies during his illustrious movie career.

Nisar is a devout Muslim with a deep- rooted eastern culture. He is a true patriot.

He really is an amazingly humble person.

Furthermore, Nisar is also an accomplished poet. His poetic collection were to be brought to the limelight by his admirer, Shamim Bazil (against his wishes)

Director Raza Mir`s movie ``Lakhoan mein aik`s`` mega hit songs extols the virtues of Nisar`s top rated
Composition:

``Chalo accha hua tum bhool gaye.`` : Noor Jehan.

``Halaat badal naheen saktay``: Noor Jehan.

``Sunn saajna dukhi mun ki pukar``: Noor Jehan.

``Mun mundir kay dyota``.

``Pyar na ho jab dil mein,jeena hai udhura``.

Nisar had literally built a phenomenal career on being cordial. He had fulfilled himself artistically and personally.

His superfluous composition in director S.Sulaiman`s film ``Aag`` brought him to the fore- front of the Pakistani cinema.

``Yoon zindigi ki raha mein``: Mehdi Hasan.

``Mausum haseen hai laykin`` Ahmed Rushdi-Mala.

``Beetay dino ki yaadoan ko``: Noor Jehan.

Pakistan film industry`s visionary musician, Nisar Bazmi, received laurels from his country -men. They are part of his life`s journey.

Spinning magic with sound, he won the hearts of music lovers.

Listeners dare not break the spell that maestro Nisar had woven through his masterpieces in the film ``Anjuman``, directed by Hasan Tariq:

``Aap dil ki Anjuman mein``: Runa Laila.

``Dil dharkay mein tum say``: Runa Laila.

``Izhar bhi mushkil hai``: Noor Jehan.

``Bhabi meri bhabi`` Ahmed Rushdi.

``Lag rahi hai mujhay`` Ahmed Rushdi.

``Yaadash bakhair``: Ahmed Rushdi.

As for the relationship between the listeners and Nisar, there had been an immediate bonding of hearts.

Nisar`s music in director Fareed Ahmed`s film ``Andaleeb``, became the real flame driving his passionate listeners to exalt his prowess:

``Meray dil ki mehfil``: Noor Jehan-Ahmed Rushdi.

``Kuchh loag root kar bhi``: Noor Jehan-Ahmed Rushdi.

``Pyar kar kay hum``:Noor Jehan.

``Geysoowoan kay Aanchal mein``: Ahmed Rushdi.

``Teray jhootay wadoan pay``: Runa Laila.

Director Pervez Malik`s film ``Anmol`` is another instance, where composer Nisar again weaved a spell through his music:

``Pyar insaan ko insaan bana dayta hai``: Mehdi Hasan.

``Mujhay naachh nay do,keh shayad ye ghungru``: Runa Laila.

``Mila kaisa anari sajna``: Runa Laila.

To talk of Nisar is to think of music in a whole new light.

He added visionary revolution to the music for the willing listeners.

Director Pervez Malik`s ``Talaash``:

``Dekha jo mera jalwa``: Naheed Akhtar.

``Pyar ki Aag, nigahoan mein chupaye rakhna``: Naheed Akhtar.

Music buffs continue to enjoy his music until it become second nature to them.

Director Ali Sufyan Aafaqi`s film ``Aas``:

``Boal ri gurya boal zara``: Nayyara Noor.

``Meri marzi mein gaoon gi`` : Runa Laila.

``Humnay deikhay is duniya mein``: Noor Jehan.

Nisar had a magnetic personality.

His highly refined appearance, with a broad smile became one of his great personal strength.

He continued to mesmerize his fans through his compositions:

Director Pervez Malik`s film ``pehchaan``: ``Allah he Allah kya karo``: Naheed Akhtar.

``Mera pyar teray jiwan kay sung rahay ga``: Mehnaz-Mehdi Hasan.

Pakistani audiences were entranced through his compositions for director Hasan Tariq`s film ``Tehzeeb``:

``Laga hai misar ka bazaar deikho``: Mehdi Hasan.

``Aja hum kyon rahein akele``: Runa Laila.

``Tu nay kya shay mujhay pila thee hai``: Runa Laila.

The glowing story of Nisar`s music career was full of surprises.

The Pakistani cine-goers, who have an ear for music and a strong memory of Nisar remember the film ``Wagt ki pukar``(Director: Fazal Ahmed Karim Fazli):

``Jaan-e-mun Aaj tu jo paas nahi hai``: Mehdi Hasan.

``Millat kay jawano ko ye paigham suna do``: Noor Jehan.

``Tum ho haseen,iqraar karo``: Ahmed Rushdi.

Director Raza Mir`s ``Naag muni`` was a great movie in its day, whose songs were composed by Nisar.
``Tun to pay waroon``: Noor Jehan.

``Aaj bhi suraj doob gaya``.

``Saajna ray naina barsay, jeeya tarsay``.

``Mun mein uthi nai tarang``: Noor Jehan.

``Mera imaan mohabbat hai``: Mehdi Hasan.

``Ik albeli see naar`` :Ahmed Rushdi.

``Mein teri yaad ko kaisay dil say bhula doon.

His lilting music in the film ``Jaisay jaantay nahi`` is memorable:

``Aisay bhi hain meherbaan``: Ahmed Rushdi.

Nisar, with a life of dedication, composed songs for director Laeeq Akhtar`s movie: ``Naureen``.
``Haye mera izhar-e-mohabbat``.

``Kitni baar melay hain``: Ahmed Rushdi.

His music appeals to the masses and it is a treasure in real life. He composed every new song with a renewed effort.

Director S.Sulaiman`s film ``Mohabbat``:

``Ranjish he sahi``: Mehdi Hasan.

``ye mehfil jo Aaj saji hai``:Tahira Syed.

``Agar koi puchay baharoan ka mutlab``:Ahmed Rushdi-Runa Laila.

Nisar lend his music for the film ``Saiqa``(producer: Shamim Ara, director: Laeeq Akhtar):

``Ik sitam aur meri jaan``: Mehdi Hasan.

Unforgettable songs like ``Aye baharo gawah rehna``: Ahmed Rushdi-Mala.

``Teray tasawwar mein jo baat hai``

``Jo hum guzaartay hain wo zindigi to nahi`` are still popular today.

Highly revered Nisar confronted every new challenge and enjoyed the exhilaration of victory later.

His superb composition made all the difference in director Shaiwan Rizvi`s film ``Meri zindigi hai naghma``.

``Ik husn ki devi say mujhay pyar hua tha``: Mehdi Hasan.

His music was both convincing and charming in director Iqbal Kaashmiri`s film ``Hum aik hain``:

``Chore meray yaar, koi aur baat kar``

Let us have a glance at his Nigar awards:

Nisar Bazmi won the Nigar award for best composer for the film ``Saiqa`` in 1968.

Nisar Bazmi won the Nigar award for best composer for the film ``Anjuman`` in 1970.

Nisar Bazmi won the Nigar award for best composer for the film ``Meri zindigi hai naghma`` in 1972.

Nisar Bazmi won the Nigar award for best composer for the film ``Khaak aur khoon`` in 1979.

Nisar Bazmi won the Nigar award for best composer for the film ``Hum aik hain`` in 1986.

One of the most astonishing feat of Nisar Bazmi`s life is that in his twilight years, he dedicated himself to memorize the Holy Quran.

All these years later, we now know that he was vehemently desirous to be a Hafiz-e- Quran.

Composers with exceptional qualities like Nisar Bazmi are as scarce as hen`s teeth.

As for his music prowess, it cannot be measured with a yardstick.

A superhit by Nisar Bazmi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adBGsnYiaZk

Re: # 36
DM
I think our views differ here. I don`t like the orchestra at all in the `Ranjish hi sahi`` video. The strings are too lush and the music has too much of schmaltz. But to each his own.

I like the one from Mr.and Mrs.55, and Dil par hua aisa jaadoo and Jaane kahan mera jigar gaya jee from the same film would emphasise your point.

My favourite line from the movie is when Lalita Pawar asks Guru Dutt `` Aap socialist hain?`` and he says , ``Nahin, cartoonist hoon``. -)

swarrier#34:

I liked the music of Sangdil but am not very familiar with his other work. As for orchestra, the point I was trying to make was that too much of orchestra can drown out the effect of the songs and the melody. Here is my idea of the economical use of orchestra: Jaane kya tu ne kahi (instruments are western, btw):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adBGsnYiaZk

BTW songs can be both fun, playful and melodious. Here is an example: Madhubala in Mr. and Mrs. 55 with music of O.P. Nayar and voice of Geeta Dutt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8Wc93YnAaI

Enjoy!

#24 DM-jee

[indeed the term Saqi refers to a boy and not a girl.]

NOW you tell me!

Re: # 39
DM
It`s a lovely song but the instruments are Indian, you can hear the sitar and bansuri in the background as the tabla etc. By the way the person who posted that on youtube says its from Kaagaz ke phool and if my memory serves me right it is from Pyaasa.
Anyway it does not matter if the instruments are Western or not. We have used the violin in Indian music for a long time and the harmonium was borrowed by us from the Portuguese and modified.
It is the manner of use that would distinguish a western tune from an Indian one. Got to go now. Will be back later.
Its a pleasure reading your article and all is not doom and gloom. Our music will survive.

swarrier#38:

Sorry for the mistyping. That was the wrong video (Urstruly`s recommendation). The ``jaane ky tu ne kahi`` video is here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHfGON2rnhQ

swarrier:

Yes, it is from `Pyaasa`. Strange that I took Sitar for a Western instrument.

ghanerii zulfo.n ke saaye me.n chhup ke jii letaa........the original poetry of sahir and not filimi one of silsila....dont think he could be gay...admi stands for human in urdu and all humanity loving is gay them....

DM listen to these, you may have already hear them but they are lovely from Sardari Begum a film made in the 90`s

Ghar Nahin

Sanwariya

Huzoor

Raah mein

Re: # 44
I cannot make such a statement regarding composers that differ so widely in styles. I do not think Khayyam has given a completely classical score of this genre.
I have heard a lot of Aarti Anklikar since she is a purely classical singer and very little of Shubha Mudgal to compare the two. Vani Jairam is not entirely my cup of tea.

swarrier#43:

Yes, I have these in my collection. Good songs. But I think that Khayam would have done a better job; also I would have preferred to see somenone like Vani Jairam or Shubha Mudgal instead of Arti Angalikar as the main singer for Sardari.

Re: # 46
A good question why we long for melancolic tunes. I can not answer clearly but but tragic things touch our hearts much deeply and we remember distinctly than joyful things. The legend tells the Buddha was so much affected by sorrow he abandoned happy life.
If you think of all major plays we appreciate by shakespear ,Hamlet, Othollo,McBeth, Julious Ceasar and crowning all them is King Lear are all with Pathos . Classical Greek Drama is tragic only and destruction of men and women by orginal sin , which as basic character flaw. If you have listened to western music played at requium or Funerals is very touching. A very touching music is played in Dr. Zivago music when the child is at funeral of his mother and leaves flowers and starts going back with his uncle and the notes are haunting( there two more melancholic tunes for two more occasions in that movies) and they reverberate as they are melancholic. Or famous Turkish death march/ Vinnea is very great sorrowful majestic music. And you remember notes and they can be stunning. In old age we mature and past haunts and you can listen to meloncolic tunes natural to your mental disposition.
Good day.
Meloncoly is also part of sublimation of older mind and its bit with nostalgic ethos not so natural with young people.I feel as we grow old and our children move away on thier way we are left alone and we know we have to carry our cross its lonely path and on this path some thing, like young people bubbly couple gigling or old cat feebly walking you remember times gone and never to come one , or old cats gone charm just remainds you if you are sensetive.As we grow old one becomes , we note mistakes we made and there is pathos and so we old like meloncolic tunes.

Dost Mittar -

Hello! Hope you have been keeping well. As soon as I saw the title, I was reminded of the weird tune of this song. I am sorry I never liked the tune and the music behind this song. The lyrics are pretty, but it`s a very depressing tune. I understand that you have tried to compile the music of the bygone era and used the title to attract your audience. I never understood the reason behind our elders liking these melancholic tunes.

In any case, it was nice to see you back. Hope you had a nice break from Chowk.

Regards,
Z

swarrier#45:

I agree that Khayyam has not given completely classical music but, in my opinion, Sardari Begum`s music is also semi-classical and that is very much up Khayyam/s alley. As you would be aware, the inspiration for Sardari was Begum Akhtar and some of her best compositions are with Khayyam. I tried to search for her rendition of Ghalib`s ``Sab kahaan kuchh Lal-o-Gul mein numaaiyaan ho gaye`` with music by Khyaam but couldn`t find it. Try a listen if you can get hold of it.