Music directors and singers pay rich tributes to Naushad

Lahore: Leading Pakistani music directors and singers have said Indian composer Naushad was among those who brought recognition and respect to film music.

Music director Sohail Rana described Naushad as the sub-continent's Shehanshah-e-Mausiqui (Emperor of Music).

He said Naushad was his all-time favourite. "There are many music directors whom I adore. Yet, Naushad sahib's music weaves a web of magic around me. I can listen to his music forever.

Classical music

"His greatest contribution was to bring classical music into the film medium ?. His music highlights and enhances the beauty and appeal of the poetry," said Rana.

Nisar Bazmi, one of the greatest music composers of Pakistan, who has been rendered inactive by a massive stroke, said Naushad has been criticised for the lack of variety in his music. But the objection is unfounded, he said.

"Naushad sahib was such a unique musician that he could compose with a 100-man orchestra as he did in Aan and could go Western if the situation demanded as in Jadoo."

Unique change

Noted Pakistani singer Mehdi Hassan said Naushad had the honour of introducing a unique change in the exciting system of music recording.

"He was the first music composer to have developed the system of western notation in India. So much so, the notation for the music of the Aan has been published in book form in London. Naushadji had been greatly responsible in tuning the voice of Lata Mangeshkar, and it is no coincidence that his tunes occupy the upper part of Lataji's long list in terms of popularity and artistry."