Iqbal Qureshi: An Utterly Forgotten Composer

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam

16 May 2023

On May 12 and 13, I scanned through a number of Urdu dailies to find some kind of a tribute or at least, a mention of Iqbal Qureshi, the forgotten composer of Hindi film music's golden era. His birth anniversary was on May 12. But I didn't find anything on him. Even on his 90th birthday in 2020, there was hardly any write up on the composer who composed the gems like, “Subha Na Aayee Shaam Na Aayee" (Film: Cha Cha Cha, lyricist: Gopaldas Saxena ' Neeraj' and singer: Rafi, 1964),”Main Apne Aap Se Ghabra Gaya Hoon" (Film: Bindiya, Rajinder Krishna Duggal, singer: Rafi, 1960).

 

Asha Bhosle and music director Iqbal Qureshi at the song recording of the film Yeh Dil Kisko Doon (1963)

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Even in Aurangabad (Maharashtra), the city he was born in, hardly anyone is aware of his name. The current generation has never heard of Iqbal Qureshi, though a few old connoisseurs like one Suhas Kulkarni from Aurangabad still loves to listen to his friend's compositions every day! Mr Kulkarni is 97-year-old and he shared many anecdotes of Iqbal Qureshi when I met him a few years ago to collect material on the composer for writing a tribute to him in Urdu for a Pakistani Urdu daily.

Standing at 6'-4'', he was among the tallest persons in the industry and could have also been among the tallest composers had he been favoured by fate. A very fine gentleman, Iqbal saved his best for his dear friend the late Chandrashekhar Vaidya's film ' Cha Cha Cha' (1964). Chandrashekhar was the hero and Helen was seen in the lead role. Who can forget the numbers like, “Woh Hum Na Thay Woh Tum Na The " (Rafi), "Subha Na Aayee, Shaam Na Aayee " (Rafi) and that evergreen "Ik Chameli Ke Mandve Tale, Do Badan Pyar Ki Aag Mein Jal Gay " (based on Makhdoom Mohiuddin's Nazm 'Chaaragar ', sung by Rafi/ Asha). The music was described by Indian film music historian Manek Premchand as Qureshi's "best efforts." By the way, Urdu poet and Marxist political activist Makhdoom, Chandrashekhar and Iqbal were close friends. Poet Makhdoom Mohiuddin and Chandrashekhar hailed from Hyderabad (Deccan) and later, Iqbal also shifted to Hyderabad. Both Rafi and Iqbal Qureshi took a nominal remuneration from Chandrasekhar as it was his maiden endeavour. You all may have seen Chandrashekhar as a police inspector in numerous films. Can you recall? 

One loves to listen to Iqbal Qureshi's "Mujhe Raat Din Ye Khayal Hai Woh Nazar Se Mujh Ko Gira Na De" (Film: Umar Qaid, Hasrat Jaipuri, singer: Mukesh, 1961) and "Yoon Zindagi Ke Raaste Sanwarte Chale Gaye" (Film: Love in Shimla, 1960, singer: Rafi) or "Phir Aane Laga Yaad Wahi Pyaar Ka Aalam" (Rafi and Usha Khanna, Film: Ye Dil Kis Ko Doon, lyricist: Qamar Jalalabadi alias Om Prakash Bhandari, 1963). Though it's a duet, Usha Khanna's part is minimal. Therefore, the song leaves impact more of a Rafi solo just like Rafi's 'Jab Bhi Ye Dil Udaas Hota Hai' with Sharda Iyengar, in which Sharda's part was (fortunately) limited to humming (Film: Seema, lyricist: Gulzar, 1971, composers: Shankar-Jaikishan).

Always away from the murky politics of film industry, esp. of the music world, Iqbal Qureshi never compromised. He was a man of self-respect and didn't like to ingratiate with directors and producers. So, only a few films fell in his kitty. But he never complained. Today, when I accidentally listen to Hindi film songs, I feel terribly sad and my mind travels back to the era when composers like Iqbal Qureshi composed the soulful music. Alas, none remembers him anymore. 

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A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian.

 

URL:    https://newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/iqbal-qureshi-forgotten-composer/d/129787

  

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