Sohail Rana: Musings on music

Hello Evevry Body

I am looking for a song sung by Fatima Jaffery. I may not be correct, but I think she sang it for KTV during 70-80. It was somthing like.....

Hum Tum Milay thay jehan
Phooloan key rah guzar thi
Hain Aaj Bhi nazar main

If anyone could guide me, from where I could get it. I will realy appriciate it.
Thanks all the way

Saif

Thanks Anis Shakur you brought memories.... Golden memories of an ERA ... which can never be replicated by Pakistan Any more.
The ERA when there were laurels for Pakistan .... Be that in Cricket field... remember
How Fazal Mehmood Fazaled England.... Then there is the Start of the Golden Age of Pakistan Hockey.... We had a great cosmoplitian culture developing in Karachi....I remember well .... How we used to go to Cinemas all dressed up for occasion ....the whole Family.... and how respectfull and gracefull the atmosphere of the Cinemas was...
.... Incidently I am also a student of the Now Closed and Destroyed School `` Marie Colaca ``.... whose Saddar ... Plot as well as the Nazimabad Branch`s Plot are nothing But just rumble.....`` I remember well while I was in Class VIII ... there was a certain Mrs Noor in our Nazimabad Branch ....and we used to dicuss Einstien`s theory of relativity with Her.... then there was a certain Sir Masood.... who would show around the
Mathematical aspect of the theory.....
But Alas..... Came Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.....and when I was in the Ninth.....the standard detoriated so much.... that.... Our New Chemistry teacher..... could not even spell
the word `` Chemistry `` .... he used to call is kaymistri..... even spelled it as...Kaymistaare.... Later when some one told him .... He changed K to C.....
and this is all true....
...Coming Back to Sohail Rana... Just one more piece to Add ... Ask Alamgir the legendary singer.... or Mohammed Ali Shaki... what he did to their Careers..>!!
He Literary picked Alamgir from the Roads..... Off Tariq Road....near Fish and Chips...
and transformed him into a music idol ... few in these present days could come near too....

thanks again for reviving ... a long cherished memory of When every thing was good in Pakistan..

Thanks Anis Shakur you brought memories.... Golden memories of an ERA ... which can never be replicated by Pakistan Any more.
The ERA when there were laurels for Pakistan .... Be that in Cricket field... remember
How Fazal Mehmood Fazaled England.... Then there is the Start of the Golden Age of Pakistan Hockey.... We had a great cosmoplitian culture developing in Karachi....I remember well .... How we used to go to Cinemas all dressed up for occasion ....the whole Family.... and how respectfull and gracefull the atmosphere of the Cinemas was...
.... Incidently I am also a student of the Now Closed and Destroyed School `` Marie Colaca ``.... whose Saddar ... Plot as well as the Nazimabad Branch`s Plot are nothing But just rumble.....`` I remember well while I was in Class VIII ... there was a certain Mrs Noor in our Nazimabad Branch ....and we used to dicuss Einstien`s theory of relativity with Her.... then there was a certain Sir Masood.... who would show around the
Mathematical aspect of the theory.....
But Alas..... Came Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.....and when I was in the Ninth.....the standard detoriated so much.... that.... Our New Chemistry teacher..... could not even spell
the word `` Chemistry `` .... he used to call is kaymistri..... even spelled it as...Kaymistaare.... Later when some one told him .... He changed K to C.....
and this is all true....
...Coming Back to Sohail Rana... Just one more piece to Add ... Ask Alamgir the legendary singer.... or Mohammed Ali Shaki... what he did to their Careers..>!!
He Literary picked Alamgir from the Roads..... Off Tariq Road....near Fish and Chips...
and transformed him into a music idol ... few in these present days could come near too....

thanks again for reviving ... a long cherished memory of When every thing was good in Pakistan..

I sent some comments on this articles 2 days ago.Please let me know if they are going to be published or not?
Thanks.

Ashfaq Ahmad

Casanova: Fifties and sixties were indeed the golden era of the Indo-pak music. Also,Sohail Rana do not have a very long list of movies for which he composed. Then there are other factors, too, like Mala`s voice was wee-bit more suitable for Zeba,hence he used Mala`s voice for the films Armaan, Ehsan etc.
As I have mentioned earlier on different occasions that usually the composer`s decision is final when it comes to select the singer.
Sincerely
Anis

My understanding was that Sohail Rana did not collaborate with Madame Noor Jehan except for a couple of songs. I once read an article which comparred him to the Indian composer O.P.Nayyar who never used Lata Mangeshkar for his songs. No one can dispute the contribution of thse two ladies to the Sub-continent music scene, but it does open up the debate that how easy was it in the fifties and sixties for a new composer to make it on his won without using the conventional voices for his compositions.

Hi,
adhareshwar,
Glad to go through your comments,will try my best to come up with as many answers as I could in the proper sequence:
Q.1. Whether Sohail Rana is responsible for Habib Wali Mohammad`s musical career in Pakistan. Well,first of all we need to understand that Habib Saheb never made music his profession.He did his MBA in U.S. and was busy with his family business.Much later did Sohail Rana worked with Habib Saheb.There were other composers too who wanted to compose for Habib Saheb and they did.
Q.2. Pakistani community around the world are indebted to Sohail Rana not just for composing songs but also for other precious work he did.
Q3. You wish the article was longer.Believe me, in all sincerity I had to skip a lot of information on purpose.There are a lot of accomplishments of Sohail Rana but generally I had to avoid all the technicalities because his admirers want to know the salient features first.
Q.4.As for Rasheed Attre,Nisar Bazmi I did not wanted to compare them in the same feature.I firmly believe that to compare the greatest with each other is not a good idea since all these musicians are great names and all of them have a huge following.
Q5. About particular penchant.Yes Sohail Rana have a particular penchant for composing ghazals,no doubt about that.And you yourself have given an example.
Q.6. `Mujhay tum` Yes the singer is Mehdi Hasan.Although a lot of people still say that late Ahmed Rushdi would have done equal justice to the song.However eventually the composer`s decision is usually final and see how Sohail Rana`s composition made that a masterpiece.
I have to sit and check to make sure if Mehdi Hasan and Sohail Rana worked in which particular song/ghazal.
Q7. As for Noor Jehan-Sohail Rana team again I will have to look at my records.Since all these singers have rendered thousands of songs so it will be a while before I could come out with a positive answer.
Q8. As for lyrics,we know that Sohail Rana is the son of renowned poet,Rana Akbar Abadi,he received very good training in music and other related fields.Obviously his contribution is not limited to just music.
Q.9. As for Binaca,I had referred to an advertisement/commercial on Binaca and not a song ranking program.
Many thanks and regards
Anis Shakur
anis.shakur@downstate.edu

Dear Anis Shakur bhai:

Thanks for an informative article on Sohail Rana.
It appears from your article that he was responsible
for bringing Habib Wali Mohammad back into the world
of music. (Habib had gone into hibernation in Pakistan,
having sung two immortal ghazals under the baton of
Saraswati Devi before partition: ``lagataa naheen hai``
and ``na kisi ki aaNkh ka noor huN``.) Just for that
we have to be thankful to Sohail Rana.

I wish the article were longer, espcecially to include
two interesting contrasts and comparisons. One set
would be the great established music directors on the
scene when he made his appearance: Rashid Attre,
Khurshid Anwar, et al. The other set would be his
contemporaries, e.g., Nisar Bazmi. These comparisons
would bring out his distnctiveness, stylistic features,
his signature. For example, did he have a particular
penchant for composting ghazals? His work with Habib
Wali Mohammad hints at it, as does his tune for the
`Doraha` song: ``mujhe nazar se``. By the way, isn`t
the singer of this song Mehdi Hasan? Any other songs
where these two have worked toghether?


One factor does puzzle me: Your article mentions
only one Noor Jahan song with Sohail Rana. I have
heard only two songs Malikae-Tarannum sang for
him. That one you mentioned and another solo from
the same film, Badal Aur Bijli:

bansee bajaanevaale neenden uDaanevaale

and

galiyaan galiyaan DhoonDh chukee

Have they colloborated on other great songs?

Another aspect of Sohail Rana that is of interest is
lyrics. I have read that he has written words for many
film songs. Anything you can add on this would be of
interest.

It might be of interest to readers that Sohail Rana
was the organizer of the 1997 Golden Jubilee show in
Toronto.


I gahered from one of your comments that there was
a Binaca program in Pakistan. Was it the same kind
of program associated with Binaca in India? (bascially,
count-down oriented program ranking in some way the
popularity of contemporary songs). Any chance of
obtaining a list of the songs that were featured
in the program? That would be one way of remembering
top hits down the years (within limits: often, real
gems tend to get left out of market-based lists).

Ashok

rozaiba: I need to check my files regarding Hadiqa Kiyani.
Thanks
Anis

Ansari: Apart from all those songs you have mentioned,Komal,Komal, could not slip off our minds that easily.
Regards
Anis

nawaid: All of them starting from Nazia to Afshan then Fatima and the rest achieved name and fame in their own respective ways.
Shawa bhi shawa is the perennial favorite of thousands of music buffs.
Best regards
Anis

#18 by rozaiba

Na! Hadiqa Kiyani and Arifa Kiyani two sister were in Khalil Ahmed`s program from Lahore centre, i dont remember exact name perhaps ``Hum Kaliyan Hum taray``

Sohail Rana intoduced, Afshan Ahmed, Fatima Jaffery, Nazneen Wahidi, Mona sisters etc.

any one remember that sweet song `` Shawa bhi Shawa``? it was a really kool song.

Even though they were written a while ago Nazia Hassan`s songs still have the magic; Dum Dum Dee Dum, Aankhen Milaane Waale, Amar, Koi Nahin. . . .wonderful stuff!

i heard Hadiqa Kiyani used to be one of those three little girls in petticoats singing songs in Sohail Rana`s TV shows.

semipreciousme: That`s true,her last days were fraught with disappointments.`Haan haan baat bun jaye` is the favorite song of numerous fans.
Cheers
Anis

...cheeso: shohni dharti is DA song...


...einsteinwallah...she passed away a couple of years ago from cancer...her last years were v.unhappy...aap jaisa koi is one of my all time favs...

Cheese: Most of my colleagues still remember Binaca. He should have received the highest award and much more. I will reiterate that Sohni dharti`s magical composition is unforgettable.
Best Regards
Anis

einsteinwallah:If I come across mp3 sites in my files I will obviously get back with you.
Enjoy!
Anis

Hi,
godot,
That`s correct. Just like you I experience the same feelings about Sohail Saheb.Television`s children program was a plus point to his fabulous music career.
Many thanks and regards
Anis

Hello,
nawaid,
In the death of Waheed Murad and Ahmed Rushdi, Sohail Rana had indeed lost two sincere friends.However that was not the only reason that disheartened him.
To cut the long story short,most of us do applaud his accomplishments and to be very honest to you Sohail Rana is aware of this fact.
Sincerely
Anis

Dear nooralain: That was the golden era of the Pakistan film industry.Sohni dharti in the voice of Shehnaz Begum is an asset for us.In fact, so many Pakistani artists have rendered this song that there is no way to keep a count. Just like Akele na jana.
Both Afshan Ahmed and her mother,Asma Ahmed, achieved fame in the world of music.
All the best
Anis

My Dear Ras: Rest be assured, Sohail Saheb receives updates from his admirers.Just that he is too busy to answer them individually.Yes he is,indeed,maestro with the midas touch.
Also,I did went through your highly informative article on Shehnaz Begum.
Sincerely
Anis

Shehlah: Salutations!
Chronology of Islamic months,Pehla....... became the part and parcel for innumerable children. Sohail Saheb`s love and devotion for music and children is unprecedented. Yes numerous pakistani families were perturbed when he was replaced by another composer.
Moreover,he was doing great up until a few days ago.
Further,millions of us would thank him for bringing happiness in our lives.
truly
Anis

i feel like weeping when i hear sohni dharti..it has this very strange effect on me...
i also think i remember going to one of his sing along programs when i was really small, tagging along with cousin who was in the binaca ad. he composed...some really good music there, he should get the nishanehaider or something
thanks shakur

Did not know that Nazia Hassan had passed away. I am so cut off from cultural scene of India. That happens if you live in USA and your sole obsession is USD. Living in cultureless America is living in caves.

Any mp3 sites with Sohail Rana compositions?

-ew

Let me try again...

Thank you Anis Shakur for writing this piece and for taking
a couple of generations of Pakistanis down memory lane.

Sohail Rana exemplifies what was once really good in Pakistan.
He was a national icon before the mullah iconoclasts and hypocrites took over a nation`s mindset.

I hope that someone is able to show this article to Sohail Rana Sahib in
Canada so that he can know that he is still admired and loved by Pakistanis.

All in all he was a superb music director and a class act.


Ras

To date I recall the chronology of Islamic months based on the song he composed: ``Peha muharram doosra safar in dono kay peechay peechay...`` He also doubled as our Sesame Street i guess! I remember participating in many of his shows and even getting invited by him on stage once. Yes Anis even at that age I could feel his compassion and love for music and children. When PTV replaced Sohail Rana`s program with that by Khalil Ahmed I remember protesting and refusing to watch the ``ganda program``. I have been wondering for a while about his health and general well-being and I wish he could have given our children similar fond memories and tunes also. One can never thank him enough for making our bachpan memorable. If ever Mr. Rana ever reads this piece I would like to say: ``Thank you for being a part of my life!``

Thank you Anis Shakur for writing this piece and for taking
a couple of generations of Pakistanis down memory lane.

Sohail Rana exemplifies what once really good in Pakistan.
He was a national icon before the mullah iconoclasts and hypocrites took over a nation`s mindset.

I hope that someone is able to show this article to Sohail Rana Sahib in
Canada so that he can know that he is still admired and loved by Pakistanis.

All in all he was a superb music director and a class act.


Ras


PS. I wrote an article on Shahnaz Begum`s visit to our area in the year 2000 on CHOWK which can be reached at :

http://63.194.130.82/cgi-bin/show_article.cgi?aid=00000877&channel=civic%20center&start=0&end=9&page=1&chapter=1

i was just thinking of his show the other day...i used to watch it every week myself, as a kid...it was cute watching the little kids sway side to side as they sung. I especially remember the times when the lovely Shahnaz Begum came on the show to sing Sohni Dharti. Afshan`s voice was so sweet. . .what a coincidence that this article should show up on Chowk, while those memories were floating in my head. :)

Great Sohail Rana, thanks Anis for bringing such a good memory. I believe death of Waheed Murad and Ahmed Rushdi in same year disheartened him for film music.


Sang Sang Chalain, Saray Dost Hamaray....hai ..... kiya yaad diladya.

Meray bachpan kay din, kitnay achay thay din
Aaj behtay bithay kiyon yaad agay
Meray bichron ko mujh say miladay koi
Mera bachpan kisi mole laday koi

I remember watching as a kid Sohail Rana`s TV show for children. He was such a great artist. I loved his music. Thank you so much, Anis, for this write-up. It was a lovely and a beautiful walk down the memory lane. I must now get Sohail Rana`s CD. Thanks again for refreshing wonderful childhood memories for me.