Khawaja Khurshid Anwar
Encyclopedia
Khwaja Khurshid Anwar was a filmmaker, writer, director and music composer who gained extreme popularity both in India and Pakistan. He is widely credited as being one of the most original and inventive music directors of his generation.
(now in Pakistan
) where his maternal grandfather Khan Bahadur Dr.Sheikh Atta Mohammad held the post of civil surgeon. His father Khawaja Ferozuddin Ahmad was a well-known Barrister in Lahore. The ace jurist had a love for music so much so that he had a huge collection of gramophone records of Indian classical and neo-classical music and his precocious son had an unhindered access to them all. Moreover, in the weekly soirees of music which were held in the lawyer's house, renowned masters used to perform, and it was here that the young Khurshid Anwar developed a taste for classical music. Viewing Khrshid Anwar's keen interest Khansahib Tawakkal Hussain took him under his tutleage in 1934.
Khurshid Anwar was also a brilliant student at Government College, Lahore
, the renowned seat of learning. Having topped in the Masters in Philosophy
(1935), he appeared in the examination for Indian Civil Service (ICS ) but due to his political and anti-Raj activities, the colonial masters would not let him share power.
Interestingly, he had also absented himself from the Prize-dsitribution ceremony of the Punjab University
held to honour the students with distinctions. When his name was called to receive the Gold Medal in Philosophy, nobody turned up. The British Chancellor of the University who was awarding medals remarked that the student having forgotten to receive the medal is a true philosopher.
, "Shabnam kyon neer bahaye" by Gauhar Sultan, and "Dil deke dagha nahin dena" by Vatsala Kumathekar. Some of his other Hindi films were Parakh (1944, with Saraswati Devi
), Yateem
(1945, with K. Dutta), Aaj Aur Kal
(1947), Pagdandi(1947), and Parwaana
(1947) which was the last movie in which K. L. Saigal acted and sang.
For "Singaar" (1949) he got the Clare Award for Best Music Director. His later films "Nishaana "(1950) and "Neelam Pari" (1952) added new feathers to his cap. He remained an inspiration to many later day music directors in both India and Pakistan. For many years, Roshan
was a disciple of his, as was Shankar of Shankar Jaikishan
. He was regularly praised by his contemporary Naushad
, who considered him to be one of the finest composers in the subcontinent.
(1962), Haveli (1964) Chingari (1964), Sarhad (1966) , Hamraz (1967), Guddo (1970),Heer Ranjha (1970), Salam E Mohabat (1971), Parai Aag (1971), Shireen Farhad (1975), Haider Ali (1979) and Mirza Jat (1982).
He has also been praised for his efforts to keep alive Classical music not only through his compositions but also through his unique collection of classical Music performances recorded by EMI Pakistan, known as Aahang-e-Khusrav in two parts(1978). Raag Mala has ten volumes includes 90 Raags in ten Thaths. Each Raag has a short introduction in the voice of Khurshid Anwar explaining the characteristics of the Raag followed by its audio performance by renowned Calssical singers of Pakistan. The second part of Aahang-e-Khusravi is Gharaon Ki Gaiyki in 20 volumes which consists of audio recording of representatives of the main Gharanas of Classical singers in Pakistan. In recognition of his services for the cause of music, he was awarded the coveted 'Sitara-e-Imtiaz' by the Government of Pakistan in 1980.
Early life
Khwaja Khurshid Anwar (Urdu: ) was born on 21 March 1912 in MianwaliMianwali
Mianwali is the capital city of Mianwali District and situated in the north-west of Punjab province, Pakistan. The city is located on the eastern bank of the Indus River...
(now in Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
) where his maternal grandfather Khan Bahadur Dr.Sheikh Atta Mohammad held the post of civil surgeon. His father Khawaja Ferozuddin Ahmad was a well-known Barrister in Lahore. The ace jurist had a love for music so much so that he had a huge collection of gramophone records of Indian classical and neo-classical music and his precocious son had an unhindered access to them all. Moreover, in the weekly soirees of music which were held in the lawyer's house, renowned masters used to perform, and it was here that the young Khurshid Anwar developed a taste for classical music. Viewing Khrshid Anwar's keen interest Khansahib Tawakkal Hussain took him under his tutleage in 1934.
Khurshid Anwar was also a brilliant student at Government College, Lahore
Government College University
Government College University, Lahore is a co-educational public university located on The Mall in Lahore, Pakistan...
, the renowned seat of learning. Having topped in the Masters in Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
(1935), he appeared in the examination for Indian Civil Service (ICS ) but due to his political and anti-Raj activities, the colonial masters would not let him share power.
Interestingly, he had also absented himself from the Prize-dsitribution ceremony of the Punjab University
Punjab University
Punjab University may refer to:In India:*Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana*Punjab Technical University*Punjabi University, Patiala*Panjab University, ChandigarhIn Pakistan:*University of the Punjab, Lahore...
held to honour the students with distinctions. When his name was called to receive the Gold Medal in Philosophy, nobody turned up. The British Chancellor of the University who was awarding medals remarked that the student having forgotten to receive the medal is a true philosopher.
Career in India
He therefore joined All-India Radio in 1939 as Programme Producer/Music. It was from here that he acceded to the requests of A. R. Kardar, the renowned film producer,to join Bombay filmdom as Music director. He made his debut as a music director in Kardar's Punjabi venture "Kudmai" (1941]. His first Hindi film was "Ishara"(1943]. The film gained much popularity from its songs which included "Panghat pe muraliya baje" by SuraiyaSuraiya
Suraiya Jamaal Sheikh was a singer and actress of the Indian films in the 40s and 50s, and was popularly known by her first name Suraiya..-Early life:...
, "Shabnam kyon neer bahaye" by Gauhar Sultan, and "Dil deke dagha nahin dena" by Vatsala Kumathekar. Some of his other Hindi films were Parakh (1944, with Saraswati Devi
Saraswati Devi (Music Director)
Mein Ban ki Chiriyra Banke Bun Bun Bolun Re - The person who entertained thousands of music lovers with such enchanting composition of film songs was none other than Saraswati Devi - the distinguished lady music director of Hindi cinema mostly known to compose music for Bombay Talkies during the...
), Yateem
Yateem
Yateem is an Indian film directed by J.P. Dutta and released in 1988. The movie stars Sunny Deol, Farha Naaz, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Danny Denzongpa.-Cast:* Sunny Deol ... Inspector Krishna* Farha Naaz ... Gauri S. Yadav...
(1945, with K. Dutta), Aaj Aur Kal
Aaj Aur Kal (1947 film)
Aaj Aur Kal is a 1947 Indian Hindi language film. The film is directed by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas.-Music:* "Kaliyon Ko Masalane" - Singer: Naseem Akhtar* "Ao Sathi Ao" - Singer: Zeenat Begum, Imadad Husain* "Pade Ishq Mein" - Singer: Zeenat Begum...
(1947), Pagdandi(1947), and Parwaana
Parwaana
Parwana is a 1971 Bollywood thriller film directed by Jyoti Swaroop. It stars Amitabh Bachchan, Navin Nischol, Yogeeta Bali and Om Prakash. One of the best film Amitabh Bachchan did till date...
(1947) which was the last movie in which K. L. Saigal acted and sang.
For "Singaar" (1949) he got the Clare Award for Best Music Director. His later films "Nishaana "(1950) and "Neelam Pari" (1952) added new feathers to his cap. He remained an inspiration to many later day music directors in both India and Pakistan. For many years, Roshan
Roshan
In Sanskrit Roshan means light particularly the brightness but then its usually referred as light Roshan is also a gotra in the Khatri community in India that is often used as a family name...
was a disciple of his, as was Shankar of Shankar Jaikishan
Shankar Jaikishan
Shankar Jaikishan , also known as S/J, is an Indian music composer duo in the Hindi film industry, working together from 1949–1971....
. He was regularly praised by his contemporary Naushad
Naushad
Naushad Ali was an Indian musician. He was one of the foremost music directors for Bollywood films, and is particularly known for popularizing the use of classical music in films.His first film as an independent music director was Prem Nagar in 1940...
, who considered him to be one of the finest composers in the subcontinent.
Career in Pakistan
Khurshid Anwar migrated to Pakistan in 1952. It was in fact his arrival in a newly-independent land where the nation was in search of its expressions in arts especially in music. And it was here in 1956 that Khurshid Anwar gave Pakistani film music its identity through his magnum opus "Intezar". The film also gave a new lease of life to Noor Jehan, his lead singer for the years to come. After, Intezar", Khurshid Anwar continued with his stylistic creations in films such as, Mirza Sahiban (1956), Zehre Ishq (1958), Jhoomer (1959), Koel (1959), Ayyaz (1961) , GhunghatGhunghat (1962 film)
Ghunghat is a 1962 Pakistani musical film directed by Khurshid Anwar. The film was selected as the Pakistani entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 36th Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee. The film won four awards at the 1962 Nigar Awards.-Cast:* Santosh Kumar as Shahid*...
(1962), Haveli (1964) Chingari (1964), Sarhad (1966) , Hamraz (1967), Guddo (1970),Heer Ranjha (1970), Salam E Mohabat (1971), Parai Aag (1971), Shireen Farhad (1975), Haider Ali (1979) and Mirza Jat (1982).
Filmography as a Writer
- Hamraz : Story,Screenplay and Dialogues (1967)
- Chingari : Story and Screenplay (1964)
- GhunghatGhunghat (1962 film)Ghunghat is a 1962 Pakistani musical film directed by Khurshid Anwar. The film was selected as the Pakistani entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 36th Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee. The film won four awards at the 1962 Nigar Awards.-Cast:* Santosh Kumar as Shahid*...
: Story and Screenplay (1962) - Jhoomer : Story and Screenplay (1959)
- Zehr-E-Ishq : Story and Screenplay (1958)
- Intezar : Story and Screenplay (1956)
Filmography as Director
- Hamraz (1967)
- Chingari (1964)
- Ghunghat (1962)
Filmography as Producer
- Hamraz (co-Producer) 1967
- Chingari (co-Producer) 1964
- Ghunghat (co-Producer) 1962
- Jhoomer (Producer) 1959
- Zehr E Ishq (co-Producer) 1958
- Intezar (co-Producer) 1956
Filmography as Music Director in India
- 1. Kurmai (Punjabi) 1941
- 2. Ishara 1943
- 3. Parakh 1944
- 4. Yateem 1945
- 5. Parwana 1947
- 6. Paghdandi 1947
- 7. Aaj Aur Kal 1947
- 8. Singhar 1949
- 9. Nishana 1950
- 10. Neelam Pari 1952
Filmography as Music Director in Pakistan
- 1. Intezar 1956
- 2. Mirza Sahiban 1956
- 3. Zehr-e-Ishq 1958
- 4. Jhoomer 1959
- 5. Koel 1956
- 6. Ayaz 1960
- 7. Ghoonghat 1962
- 8. Chingari 1964
- 9. Haveli 1964
- 10. Sarhad 1966
- 11. Hamraaz 1967
- 12. Guddo (Punjabi) 1970
- 13. Heer Ranjha (Punjabi) 1970
- 14. Parai Aag 1971
- 15. Salam-e-Mogabbat 1971
- 16. Shirin Farhad 1975
- 17. Hyder Ali 1979
- 18. Mirza Jat (Punjabi) 1982
Death and legacy
Khurshid Anwar died on 30 October 1984 in Lahore after a protracted illness. In recognition of his contribution in enrichment film music, the Bombay film industry awarded him the coveted Mortal-Men-Immortal-melodies Award (1982).He has also been praised for his efforts to keep alive Classical music not only through his compositions but also through his unique collection of classical Music performances recorded by EMI Pakistan, known as Aahang-e-Khusrav in two parts(1978). Raag Mala has ten volumes includes 90 Raags in ten Thaths. Each Raag has a short introduction in the voice of Khurshid Anwar explaining the characteristics of the Raag followed by its audio performance by renowned Calssical singers of Pakistan. The second part of Aahang-e-Khusravi is Gharaon Ki Gaiyki in 20 volumes which consists of audio recording of representatives of the main Gharanas of Classical singers in Pakistan. In recognition of his services for the cause of music, he was awarded the coveted 'Sitara-e-Imtiaz' by the Government of Pakistan in 1980.