Naushad Ali

Naushad Ali Biography

Naushad Ali, popularly known as Naushad was a famous music director of 1950’s and 60’s of Bollywood. He has given remarkable contributions to Bollywood music, particularly in the era of Black and White movies. Thus his contributions have helped a lot in shaping Bollywood music by its own means. Naushad had great knowledge of the basis of Indian classical music and tunes, and he popularized Hindusthani music through the numerous tunes he discovered and delivered. For his contributions to Indian music he has been awarded by Dada Phalke Award in 1982 and Padma Bhushan in 1992, by Indian government. He is also a poet whose Urdu poems were published in the name ‘Aathwaan Sur’.

He started his musical journey as assistant music director of Punjabi movies. He considers music Khemchand Prakash as his guru and mentor. His first movie was Prem Nagar in 1940, but got success through Rattan in 1944. After that, he has become a part of numerous hit movies of Bollywood during 40’s and 50’s of which 35 Silver jubilee, 12 golden jubilee and above all, 3 diamond jubilee movies are present. But most surprising is that he has done less than 100 movies whole throughout his life time. It shows the versatility and talent of this great music director, without whom Bollywood music is incomplete. Among all his works, Baiju Bawara and Mughal – E – Azam are considered the best. Songs like ‘Tu ganga ki mauj mein’ sung by Mohd.Rafi and ‘Pyar kiya to darna kya’ sung by Lata Mangeshkar are still adored by millions, even after 50 or 55 years of its release. Same is the case of songs of historic movie ‘Mother India’, Pakeezah (he did the finishing touches only) and Uthan Khatola. It can be said that Naushad has played a significant role in shaping the career of both Mohd.Rafi and Lata mangeshkar during early 50’s. He used both these singers for maximum of his songs too.

He belonged to a conservative Muslim family and he had to run away to Mumbai in search of his film chances and even during the time of his marriage, he hid his identity as a famous music director from his family. He has worked with almost all lyricists of his time including Majrooh Sulthanpuri and Shakeel Badayuni. Other significant works of Naushad include Babul, Teri payal meri geet, Palki and Taj Mahal – An eternal love. He has also done the music of Malayalam movie Dwani in 1989.

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Updated: June 08, 2013