The Feroze Nizami I know

By Anis Shakur 

What else can give you so much pleasure now and for years to come? Most definitely the heart felt music of Feroze Nizami. Popular music composer, Feroze Nizami, was born in 1916, in Lahore, to an enlightened family, which was well versed  in various aspects of music and musical instruments.

Feroze Nizami received in-depth music lessons from Ustaad Abdul Waheed Khan and soon mastered the music. Additionally, he graduated from Punjab University and began his working life from Lahore Radio station as a program producer. Due to some unavoidable reasons, he left Lahore and joined Delhi Radio station, where he stayed for fifteen months.

Next, Feroze Nizami migrated  to Bombay and worked for the Bombay film industry as a music composer. He got his start in the 1949 film ‘Wishwas’. It was released under the banner of Wadia Modi Tone. Another musician, by the name of ‘Chailal’, also coordinated with Feroze Nizami to compose songs of ‘Wishwas.’ Director, Homi Wadia, songwriter, Safdar Ah, and Pandit Indira. Cast included Surendar and Himaliya Wala. With the passage of time, Feroze Nizami familiarized himself to classical, semi classical music and thumri.

Readers, treat your soul to his music that enlightens as well as entertains you. In 1944, Feroze Nizami composed songs for the film ‘Bari Baat’, directed by Mazhar Khan, who was also a famous actor and producer during those days.

Soon after which Feroze Nizami made his mark in the film ‘Umang’, in 1944, director K.M. Multani, songwriter, Ratan piya – Rasheed. As a result of his focused concentration, Feroze Nizami soon became a huge success in the entertaining world.

In the year 1944, Feroze Nizami also composed music for the film ‘Us Paar,’ director C.M. Lohar, songwriter, Pandit Madhur. His efforts took on new intensity and Feroze Nizami proved his worth in the music world.

In 1945, Feroze Nizami composed songs with affecting sincerity for the film ‘Piya Milan,’ directed by S.M. Yusuf and released under the banner of Wadia Modi Tone. Songwriters, Tanvir Naqui – S.K. Deepak – Mohammad Naseem – Munshi Shayam. Narmila and Moti Lal played the lead roles.

Listeners feel as if a wave of emotion rises up from their core as they listen to Feroze Nizami’s music. One feels nostalgic as one encompass all those great memories about him. Feroze Nizami composed songs for the film ‘Sharbati Aankhein’, in 1945. It was released under the banner of Wadia Modi Tone, songwriter, Tanvir Naqui – Pandit Indira, directed by R.C. Thakur.

Feroze Nizami was a natural artist who applied himself earnestly to his work, because he considered it his professional duty. He composed songs in the 1946 film ‘Amar Raj.’ It was released under the banner of Wadia Modi Tone. Songwriter, Pandit Fani, director, Homi Wadia.

Feroze Nizami’s fellow musicians did seem to fall under the spell of his musical talents. In 1946, he enthusiastically accepted the offer to compose music for the film, ‘Naik Perveen.’ It was released under the banner of D.R.D. Productions. Songwriter, Waheed Qureshi, director, S.M.Yusuf. Aaho Chasham Raagni played the title role in the film.

Feroze Nizami also composed songs for the film ‘Ali Baba’ in 1946.

Feroze Nizami’s music is full of skillful touches. An accomplished music composer, his many contributions to the movie industry have embedded themselves in the Indo Pakistani psyche. In 1947, Feroze Nizami composed songs in the film ‘Pati Saiwa’, directed by S.M. Yusuf.

Feroze Nizami’s music skills had a resolution and an edge. Apparently, he still has an incredibly enormous loyal following. He composed songs for the film ‘Rangeen Kahani’, in 1947, directed by Anjum Husaini, songwriter, Waheed Qureshi.

His keenly articulate film music and surprisingly tender grasp of human nature remained consistent throughout his show business career. Feroze Nizami composed songs with plenty of zest for the 1947 super hit film ‘Jugnu’, director, Shaukat Husain Rizvi. It was released under the banner of Shaukat Art Productions. Songwriters, Adeeb Saharan puri – Nakhshab Jaar Choi – Faiz Ahmed Faiz – Hafeez. Dilip Kumar and Noor Jehan appeared together for the first and last time in ‘Jugnu’ in lead roles.

Spinning magic with music, Feroze Nizami won the hearts of music buffs with this tragic score, ‘Hamay to shaam – gham mein kaatni hai zindigi apni.’ The film ‘Jugnu.’

Feroze Nizami’s music is at once poignant and admirable. It is a feeling he has passed on to millions of music lovers. Example, ‘Hum bhi bhula dain, tum bhi bhula do piya puranay guzray zamanay,’ the film ‘Jugnu.’

The transporting power of love and gentility were successfully captured by Feroze Nizami in ‘Khatam hoti hai yahan per do diloan ki dastaan,’ the film ‘Jugnu.’

Feroze Nizami’s highly effective composition is fraught with pain and pathos like a haunting melody, which flows and ripples from a flute. Example, ‘Yahan badla wafa ka bay wafai kay siwa kiya hai’, the film ‘Jugnu,’ duet, Rafi – Noor Jehan.

The powerful lyrics and brilliant music kept audiences and critics on their seats edge throughout the film. Example, ‘Aaj ki raat saaz-e-dil per dard na cheir,’ the film ‘Jugnu.’

Feroze Nizami migrated to Pakistan after partition. His first film in Pakistan was ‘Hamari Basti’, in 1949. He became the defining voice for quality music in films. His high expectations influenced more than just those who worked in the film industry. They profoundly affected the moviegoers. He composed songs for the 1951 Punjabi movie, ‘Chan way.’ It was released under the banner of Shah Noor productions.

Basically, Feroze Nizami’s musical work is the essence of the creative spirit, and vital force of the human heart. Two examples below:

‘Teray mukhray da kala kala til way, mera kad kay lay gaya dil o mundiya sialkotia’, the film ‘Chan way.’

‘Chan diya tutiyaan tay dilaan diya khotiya.’ The film ‘Chan way.’

All of Feroze Nizami’s music is vivid and powerful but what is most striking about it is its sense of fun. This is music you want to live with. Two examples below:

‘Bachh ja mundiya maur toon mein sadqay teri toar toon.’ The film ‘Chan way.’

‘Changa banayia –e-sanu kharona Aapay banao naa tay Aapay mitao naa.’

Songwriter, Ustaad Daman, tragic lyrics, ‘Chan way.’ Theatrical release was in Jubilee cinema, Karachi and Regent cinema, Lahore. It seems that Feroze Nizami’s music and Noor Jehan’s voice came into being for each other.

Feroze Nizami was not a perfect man but he aimed to be a better one. His songs are as much revered now as when they were first released.  He composed songs for the 1952 mega hit film ‘Dopatta’ in the spirit of those days gone by. Director, Sibtain Fazli, theatrical release was in Eroze cinema, Karachi. Noor Jehan – Ajay Kumar played the lead roles, while Sudhir was smartly dubbed as a loving, devoted doctor. Songwriter, Musheer Kazmi.

Feroze Nizami’s monumental mind brings all that emotion in his music. Example, ‘Tum zindigi ko gham ka fasana bana gaye.’ The film ‘Dopatta.’ He let the music speak and he felt good with that. Example, ‘Sub jag soye hum jaagein taroan say karain baatain.’ The film ‘Dopatta.’

Feroze Nizami combined his unique style while composing songs. Especially his music for this romantic number of ‘Dopatta’, ‘Mein bun patang ur jaa oon gee.’

Feroze Nizami, a prolific composer of numerous hit movies, reaped enormous success with the two romantic scores below:

‘Baat hi baat mein chandni raat mein’ singer, Noor Jehan, the film ‘Dopatta.’

‘ Meray mun kay Raja Aaja.’

There are few parallels to his work in the annals of movie music. Feroze Nizami had a specialty in tragic scores like this one, ‘Jigar ki Aag say is dil ko jalta deikhtay jao.’ Singer, Noor Jehan, the film ‘Dopatta.’

Here is another masterpiece that is well worth remembering, ‘Sanwaria tohay koi pukaray.’

The films ‘Jugnu’ ‘Chanway’ and ‘Dopatta’ were Feroze Nizami’s three most successful films. He really gave his best efforts to compose songs. He fostered a sense of harmony in the music community as well. That said, Feroze Nizami also composed music for the six films below:

‘Shararay’, ‘Sohni’, ‘Intikhab’, ‘Qismat’, ‘Gulshan’ and ‘Zanjeer.’

As Feroze Nizami moved ahead, he passed on his optimism and faith to the next generation. Two of his most renowned students are no other than the legendary music composer, Sohail Rana and the legendary singer, Mohammad Rafi.

Feroze Nizami gained more prominence from songs like the two below:

‘Rotay hain chham chham nain’, the film ‘Sola Aanay.’

‘Chori ho gaya dil matwala.’ The film ‘Sola Aanay.’

Regarding Feroze Nizami’s private life, Pakistani cricket teams opener, Nazar Mohammad, is the real brother of Feroze Nizami. By virtue of this blood relationship, Feroze Nizami happened to be the ‘Taya Abbu’ of Pakistani cricket teams all rounder, Mudassar Nazar.

Reverting to Feroze Nizami’s musical prowess, he just would not permit failure while composing music. His work was sublime and glorious in the 1959 Nigar Award winning film ‘Raaz.’ Below are three songs from ‘Raaz.’

‘Mithi mithi batiyoan say jiya na jala.’ Singer, Zubeida Khanum.

‘Chalak rahi hain mastiyaan.’ Singers, Ahmed Rushdi – Zubeida Khanum.

‘Maan maan maan zamana hai jawaan, sunn, sunn, sunn, jawani ki hai dhun.’ Singers, Ahmed Rushdi – Mubarak Begum.

Feroze Nizami’s music talent was so huge that it simply transcends ones wildest conceptions. He also composed songs for the films ‘Manzil’, in 1960, ‘Mongol’ in 1961, and ‘Saukan’ in 1964.

The 1974 Punjabi film ‘Zan, zer tay zameen’ proved to be the last film Feroze Nizami composed music for. Feroze Nizami passed on November 15, 1975, in Lahore, at the age of 59.

May the beauty of his music remain secure to soothe our soul.