Naushad - The Ustad is no more

Somewhere during the long vacation that I took, Naushad ( The famous hindi music composer) decided to say goodbye to the world. Even his last musical score "Taj Mahal" which was released last year, was a gem. But unfortunately todays bollywood had little need for the Ustad . The torchbearer of the Classical music in films, Naushad's music had a royal tinge to it being steeped in classical idiom.

The first Naushad song I listened to was the unforgettable " Pyaar Kiya tho Darna Kya" from " Mughal-e-Azam" . I knew very little hindi/Urdu then but the song had a powerful magnetism which made me listen to it often though I understood very little of what it meant .I also grew increasingly fond of the sweet " Mohe Pangat" from the same movie. " Baiju Bawra", " Mother India" , " Kohinoor", " Mere Mehboob", " Leader" , " Chalte Chalte" -- all these movies are testimony to Naushad's competency over the Classical form. I have lost count the number of times I might have listened to the wonderful song" Ek Shahenshah ne Banwake haseen ( Set in Raag "Lalit")" .

May his soul rest in peace ...