By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
‘पग में घुँघरू बाँधके, आ…
पग में घुँघरू बाँधके
घुँघटा मुख पर डाल के
नैनन में कजरा लगाके रे
मधुबन में’
Naushad Ali, the legendary Music Maestro was born at Lucknow. My knowledge about him is limited to and centers round two major events. Firstly, he was the only music director who charged an unbelievably exorbitant sum as his remuneration for M. Sadiq directed & Karan Dewan, Swaran Lata starrer Diamond Jubilee hit “Ratan” ( 1944). The film cost the exchequer Abdul Rashid Kardar 75000 rupee of which his share as music director was 25000. Secondly, Naushad made a young lad named Mohammed Rafi move from pillars to posts to get a break in films. Talat Mahmood was the first choice as a singer for his prestigious venture “Baiju Bawara” directed by Vijay Bhatt. On the day the recording was to be done, Talat Mahmood, a chain smoker as he was, went out for smoking ,which eventually cost him dearly as he did not report in time to do the rehearsal when there was a call from music maestro. An infuriated Naushad summoned Rafi to do the singing. The film, as most readers know, turned out to be gold mine elevating Rafi to a singer & a name to reckon with in the Hindi films in the years that followed.
Though his earlier two films did not cause a stir, his later films produced miracles like-‘Akhiyaan Mila Ke Jiya Bhrma Ke Chale Nahin Jaana’ ( Rattan-1944) rendered by Zohrabai Ambalewali, Noorjehan & Surendra starrer “Anmol Ghadi ” ( 1948 ) with many hits like- ‘Aaja Meri Barbaad Mohabbat Ke Sahaare” & Jawan Hai Mohabbat Haseen Hai Zamana (both by Noor Jehan),”Awaz De Kahan Hai” rendered by Noor jehan & Surendra, ‘Yeh Zindagi Ke Mele’,Mohammed Rafi & ‘Gaye Ja Geet Milan Ke Tu Apni Lagan Ke’ rendered by Mukesh film “Mela” (1948) & “Andaz”( 1949) ‘Jhoom Jhoom Ke Nacho Aaj Gao Khushi Ke Geet’. All these films were Golden Jubilee hits including ‘Anokhi Ada” ( 1948), “Rattan’ & “Anmol Ghadi” were Diamond Jubilees.
These were followed by two more Golden Jubilees “Deedar”( 1951) & “Aaan” ( 1952). Interestingly “Baiju Bawara” starring Bharat Bhushan & Meena Kumari & “Mother India” (1957) featuring Raj Kumar, Nargis, Sunil Dutt were also turned out to be Diamond Jubilee hits with songs like-‘Tu Ganga Ki Mauj Mein Jamuna Ka Dhara’, ‘O Duniya Ke Rakhwale’, ‘Door Koi Gaye’& ‘Man Tadpat hari Darsan Ko Aaj’, ‘Jhoole Mein Pawan Ki Aai Bahar’ (Baiju Bawra) & ‘Duniya Mein Hum Aaye Hain’ & ‘Nagri Nagri Dware Dware'( Mother India ) to mention some.
“Aan” ( 1952) & “Kohinoor” ( 1960)” were also Golden Jubilee hits followed by the K. Asif’s Diamond Jubilee epic “Mughal-E-Azam”- 1960). “Ganga Jumna” (1961)) & “Ram Aur Shyam” (1967) both were Golden Jubilee hits with many a memorable song. I was aged 4 or 5 when I saw “Baiju Bawra” & “Shabab” in 1954 followed by two more films “Tarzan & His Mate” (Hollywood) & “Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje” in 1955 with my father at Firozpur.
Naushad never compromised. He was a relatively tough person. I met him in 1988 , not knowing after decades digitalization and social platforms will come into existence. I always went after topnotch players, never thinking about musicians and lyricists. Interestingly, Now they prominently figure in my writing.
Mahendra Kapoor made his debut with 1958 release “Sohni Mahiwal” singing ‘Chaand Chhupa Aur Taarey Doobey’ under his baton.”Uran Khatola”, ” Mere Mehboob”, “Pakeezah”, “Kanoon”, “Saathi”,”Amar” & “Dulari” were his other worth mentionable films which speak volumes of his presence , authority & acceptance in the Hindi Cinema.
