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