Naushad Ali: Life and times of a musical genius
Naushad Ali was a pivotal figure in the Hindi film music industry, known for his innovative compositions that blended classical music with popular film songs. Here are ten key points about his life and career:
1. Early Life and Education: Naushad was born on December 25, 1919, in Lucknow, India. He developed an early passion for music, learning Hindustani classical music from renowned musicians despite his father’s disapproval of his musical aspirations.
2. Struggles in Mumbai: In 1937, Naushad moved to Mumbai to pursue a career in music. He faced significant hardships, including sleeping on the streets, before securing a position as a pianist and later as an assistant to established composers like Khemchand Prakash.
3. First Major Success: His first film as an independent music director was Prem Nagar in 1940, but it was the film Rattan (1944) that catapulted him to fame, establishing him as a leading music director in the industry.
4. Innovative Use of Classical Music: Naushad is credited with popularizing classical music in Hindi films. He skillfully incorporated ragas into his compositions, which set a new trend in film music. His work on films like Baiju Bawra (1952) exemplified this approach.
5. Collaborations with Iconic Singers: He had a profound partnership with legendary playback singers, particularly Mohammad Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar. Together, they created numerous timeless songs that remain popular today.
6. Recognition and Awards: Naushad received several prestigious awards for his contributions to Indian cinema, including the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1981 and the Padma Bhushan in 1992.
7. Notable Films: Throughout his career, Naushad composed music for many iconic films, including Mother India (1957) and Mughal-E-Azam (1960), both of which are celebrated for their musical scores.
8. Musical Style: His music is characterized by the blending of traditional Indian classical music with contemporary sounds, often using orchestration that included Western instruments. This versatility allowed him to appeal to a broad audience.
9. Mentorship and Influence: Naushad was known for nurturing new talent in the music industry, introducing several artists who went on to become stars. His belief in giving opportunities to newcomers is a notable aspect of his legacy.
10. Later Years and Legacy: After a brief hiatus, Naushad returned to music composition in the early 2000s, contributing to projects like the television series The Great Maratha. He passed away on May 5, 2006, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to influence Indian music.
Naushad’s contributions to Hindi cinema have made him a revered figure, and his music remains a cornerstone of Indian film history.
Naushad Ali : Struggles in his life
Naushad was inspired to move to Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1937 primarily due to his aspirations to pursue a career in music. Here are the key factors that motivated his decision:
1. Lack of Opportunities in Lucknow: Naushad faced limited opportunities in Lucknow, where he was born and raised. Despite his passion for music and early involvement in theatrical groups, he found it challenging to break into the film industry locally. The burgeoning film industry in Bombay presented a more promising landscape for his ambitions.
2. Desire for Success in Music: Naushad had a strong desire to succeed as a musician and composer. The arrival of “talkies” (films with sound) in India in the early 1930s captivated him, and he wanted to be part of this new era of cinema. His love for music and the spectacle of films fueled his determination to seek opportunities in Bombay.
3. Parental Pressure: Naushad’s father, Wahid Ali, was initially against his pursuit of a music career, wanting him to follow a more conventional path. This parental pressure may have contributed to Naushad’s decision to leave home and pursue his dreams independently in Bombay.
4. Initial Struggles: Upon arriving in Bombay, Naushad faced significant hardships, including sleeping on the streets and enduring financial difficulties. Despite these challenges, he remained focused on his goal and eventually found work as a pianist, which helped him establish himself in the industry.
Naushad’s move to Bombay marked the beginning of a remarkable journey that would see him become one of the most celebrated music directors in Indian cinema history.
Names of ten iconic films Naushad Ali was associated with:
Here are ten iconic films where Naushad contributed his remarkable musical talents:
1. Rattan (1944) – This film catapulted Naushad to fame and established him as a leading music director.
2. Baiju Bawra (1952) – Naushad demonstrated his grasp of classical music in this film, which featured compositions based on ragas like Malkauns, Bhairav, and Kalingda. He also brought in classical vocalists as consultants.
3. Mother India (1957) – Naushad composed the music for this iconic film, which was India’s first entry to the Oscars. The song “Duniya Mein Hum Aaye Hain To” is a memorable collaboration with lyricist Shakeel Badayuni.
4. Mughal-E-Azam (1960) – This period drama featured Naushad’s compositions, including the famous song “Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya.” He brought in renowned classical singer Bade Ghulam Ali Khan for the music.
5. Gunga Jumna (1961) – Naushad won the Bengal Film Journalists’ Association’s ‘Best Music Director Award’ for this dacoit drama starring Dilip Kumar.
6. Ganga Jamuna (1961) – The iconic song “Naina Lad Jaihen” from this film is another memorable Naushad-Shakeel Badayuni collaboration.
7. Anmol Ghadi (1946) – One of Naushad’s first blockbuster hits, the music of this film was popular with the youth of the time.
8. Uran Khatola (1955) – The song “Chale Aaj Tum…O Door Ke Musafir” from this film, picturized on Dilip Kumar, is an early Naushad-Shakeel Badayuni composition.
9. Pakeezah (1972) – In the later part of his career, Naushad composed the music for this courtesan romance, which is celebrated for its beautiful melodies.
10. Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story (2005) – Naushad’s last film, while receiving mixed reviews, was praised for its musical score.
Naushad’s innovative use of classical music, collaborations with legendary singers like Mohammad Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar, and partnerships with lyricists like Shakeel Badayuni made him a pioneering figure in Hindi film music.
Naushad Ali – Key collaborations during his career
Here are some key collaborations of music director Naushad:
Male Singers
Mohammad Rafi. Naushad had a long and fruitful partnership with Rafi, composing numerous hit songs for films like Mother India, Mughal-E-Azam, and Gunga Jumna.
Manna Dey: Naushad collaborated with Manna Dey on several songs, contributing to the rich musical landscape of Hindi cinema.
Female Singers
Lata Mangeshkar: Lata was Naushad’s primary female playback singer, and together they created memorable songs for films like Andaz, Deedar, and Baiju Bawra.
Asha Bhosle: Naushad composed duets featuring both Lata and Asha in films like Andaz and Deedar.
Shamshad Begum: Naushad worked with Shamshad on songs in films such as Andaz and Deedar.
Actors
– Dilip Kumar: Naushad composed the music for several of Dilip Kumar’s films, including Andaz, Deedar, Uran Khatola, Gunga Jumna, and Ganga Jamuna.
Actresses
– While specific collaborations with actresses are not detailed, Naushad’s music was often picturized on leading ladies of the time, enhancing their performances in films.
In summary, Naushad’s most significant musical partnerships were with playback singers Mohammad Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar, with whom he created some of Hindi cinema’s most iconic songs. He also worked with other prominent singers like Manna Dey, Asha Bhosle, and Shamshad Begum. His music was closely associated with the films of Dilip Kumar, among other leading actors.
Naushad Ali – Controversies
Naushad Ali, a legendary figure in the Indian music industry, had a few controversies and personal flaws during his career. Here are some notable points:
Controversies
1. Dislike for Kishore Kumar: Naushad had a well-documented aversion to Kishore Kumar, which led to tensions between them. This animosity was highlighted when Naushad left an award function abruptly after Kishore received an award, which Naushad did not support. Despite this, Kishore Kumar’s popularity soared, and his songs remain beloved today.
2. Professional Rivalries: Naushad’s strong opinions about music and singers sometimes led to rivalries within the industry. His traditional approach to music often clashed with the emerging trends and styles of other composers and singers, which created friction.
Personal Flaws
1. Stubbornness: Naushad was known for his strong opinions and could be quite stubborn regarding his musical choices. This trait sometimes made collaborations challenging, as he preferred to work in his established style rather than adapting to new trends.
2. Perfectionism: His pursuit of perfection in music sometimes resulted in conflicts with singers and musicians. Naushad’s high standards meant he could be demanding, which may have strained relationships with some artists.
3. Limited Acceptance of Change: As the music industry evolved, Naushad struggled to embrace newer styles and trends, which affected his relevance in later years. His reluctance to adapt contributed to a decline in his prominence during the 1970s and 1980s.
Despite these controversies and personal flaws, Naushad’s contributions to Indian cinema and music remain monumental, and he is celebrated as one of the greatest music directors in the history of Bollywood.
Naushad finds a mention in several books
Naushad Ali is mentioned in several books and biographical works that highlight his contributions to music and his life story. Here are some notable mentions:
1. Dastaan-E-Naushad: This is a Marathi biographical book by Shashikant Kinikar, which chronicles Naushad’s life and achievements in the music industry.
2. Aaj Gaawat Man Mero: A Gujarati book that also reflects on Naushad’s contributions and legacy.
3. Naushad Ki Kahani, Naushad Ki Zubani: Biographical sketches published in Hindi and Urdu in magazines like Shama and Sushma, which narrate stories from his life and career.
4. Notes of Naushad: Another book by Shashikant Kinikar that compiles interesting anecdotes from Naushad’s life, providing insights into his personality and professional journey.
5. Aathwaan Sur: Naushad’s own book of Urdu poetry, which showcases his literary talents alongside his musical accomplishments.
These works contribute to the understanding of Naushad’s impact on Indian cinema and music, as well as his personal reflections and experiences throughout his life.
