'Khuda unhe jannnat bakshe'

On the sad occasion of Naushad's death, music composer Ravi (Chaudhvin Ka Chand, Gumraah and Waqt) looks back at the past.

Naushad was like a big brother to me. When I was young, I would listen to his songs from Ratan, Anmol Ghadi and Sharda and sing along. I was a big fan of his.

Once, while I was chatting with [actress] Suraiya, I told her what a big Naushad fan I was. I even sang some of his songs. He was standing right behind me, and heard me singing. He was shocked to learn that I knew almost all his songs.

Say farewell to Naushad

He inspired me in some of my compositions, especially for the film Chaudhvin Ka Chand. He would appreciate others' music too. Whenever I would meet him, he would talk about my songs and appreciate them. I remember we had gone for [lyricist] Hasrat Jaipuri's daughter's wedding. There, they were playing Babul ki duwayen leti jaa from Neel Kamal. Naushad was touched by it and told me it was brilliant.

I always kept in touch with Naushad. I would call him every Eid and wish him. He would tell me

I was the only person who would wish him every year without fail, and asked me how I always remembered. My reply would be same: Aap ko kaun bhool sakta hai, aap toh yaad rakhne waali cheez nahi. (How can anyone forget you? You are unforgettable.)

The best thing about his compositions was it had elements of Indian classical music. It was not like today's music. My favourite song was Akhiyan mila ke, jiya bharma ke, chale nahi jaa naa from Ratan .

Naushad was a pillar of Indian music in cinema. Khuda unhe jannnat bakshe (May he go to heaven).

ALSO READ

Naushad on Mughal-e-Azam: An epic effort
Naushad: Legends like Talat Mehmood are not born everyday
Naushad spun magic with Mother India
How Naushad immortalised Anmol Ghadi
Naushad sets PM's verse to song