Page 50 - SeniorsToday May20

Set in a ghazal and nazm format, the Navras Essential Naushad
Records album featured singers Hariharan Though he had numerous hits, these 10
and Preeti Uttam. “I was into Urdu poetry songs could well define Naushad’s genius
since my early days in Lucknow. But with and versatility
music direction taking up all my time, I
couldn’t pursue it beyond a point. Now that 1 Awaaz De Kahan Hai (Anmol Ghadi,
I’m free, I did manage to take some time off,” 1946) - Sung by Noor Jehan and Surendra,
he had said. and written by Tanveer Naqvi, this was one
of Naushad’s earliest hits.
Poetry first
In his biography Naushadnama: The
Life and Music Of Naushad, writer Raju
Bharatan talked about the importance
Naushad gave to poetry. He wrote, “For
Naushad, the poetry always came first, the
music after. The magic of his music lay in the
fact that you never knew where the poetry
merged with the music, where the music
merged with the poetry. Shakeel’s poetry and 2 Jab Dil Hi Toot Gaya - (Shahjehan,
Naushad’s music just intertwined.” 1946) - The ultimate sad song, sung by
Bharatan’s book, released by Hay House superstar Kundan Lal Saigal and written by
Publishers, offered many interesting facets Majrooh Sultanpuri.
about Naushad’s life. His rivalry with music
director C. Ramchandra occupied much
space, and there was mention of how he
helped Mangeshkar with her diction.
On reports that he didn’t work with Talat
Mahmood after being upset the singer
once smoked in front of him, Naushad
had another story, saying working with
Mahmood and Mukesh would limit him.
“Rafi offered a wider spread,” he would say. 3 Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki (Dulari, 1949)
One section also talked of how he gave lesser - One of Mohammed Rafi’s early hits, this
importance to singer Shamshad Begum and song written by Shakeel Badayuni was a
more to Mangeshkar at the insistence of his rage in its time.
wife Ahliya.
In each encounter, Naushad came across
as a stylish, knowledgeable personality,
greeting gatherings with his trademark line
“Khawateen-o-hazraat”. He represented an
old-world charm, and the vast richness and
variety of his musical repertoire gave him a
unique place.

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