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Fazal Hussain: A tryst with destiny
By Anis Shakur
Aaj ye kisko nazar kay saamnay pata hoon mein
Pyar ki bhuli hui yadoan say takrata hoon mein
Aao un tuti hui yadoan ko Aa kar joar do
Tum to kehtay thay sitaroan ki qasam khata hoon mein
Tu na ro meray liye janay tamanna tu na ro
Teray Aansu deikh kar baytaab hojata hoon mein
Asking verses of a poet is asking a glass of water of a spring.
The above statement holds true to the exceptional poetry of the Indo-Pak subcontinent.
Popular singer of yesteryear, Fazal Hussain, was born in 1935 to a middle class family.
His father was a tailor and he wanted Fazal Hussain to follow in his footsteps. However, Fazal Hussain showed a strong desire
for singing and music. It seems that Fazal Hussain had a rendezvous with music.
Renowned singer-composer, Master Inayat Husain, had seen immense singing talents in Fazal Hussain.
Hence, Inayat Husain recorded three songs in Fazal Hussain's voice for the film 'Aaghosh' in the year 1953.
Fazal Hussain rendered the tragic song below with the instinctive artistry that made him one of the 1950s great performers:
'Duniya ka bharosa kya, sau rung badalti hai, ye saath naheen deiti.' The 1953 film 'Aaghosh.'
That Fazal Hussain was also a tall, smart and lovable man only helped his singing career. The tragic number below is a testament
to Fazal Hussain's singing abilities:
'Kya khabar thee keh dil toot bhi jaata hai.' Fazal Hussain- Kausar Perveen, the film 'Aaghosh.'
The romantic score that follows was recorded in a style synonymous with group cooperation, self-restraint and tightly reined
instrumental virtuosity:
'O deikho jee zara mur kay ye dil nazrana hai.' Fazal Hussain- Munawwar Sultana, the film 'Aaghosh.'
Inayat Husain's magnificent composition and Fazal Hussain's great singing voice were quite conspicuous in the 1953 film 'Mehbuba.'
The film 'Mehbuba' was released before the film 'Aaghosh.' Below is a romantic number from the film 'Mehbuba:'
'Mohabbat muskurai jhoom uthi har shay jawani mein
kisi ka naam shamil ho gaya meri kahani mein.'
Anything was a treat in those happy times when poetry and music were at their zenith. An invitation to see Fazal Hussain was
a double treat.
Excellence of Fazal Hussain's singing voice attracted more composers towards him. Most notably Master Ghulam Haider. Incidentally,
the 1953 film 'Gulnar' proved to be the last film of Ghulam Haider as a composer. Amazingly enough, the film 'Gulnar' was
also released before the film 'Aaghosh.'
The magnificence of Fazal Hussain's voice is evident in the highly tragic song from the film 'Gulnar' below:
'Gila hai Aasmaan walay hamein teri khudai say
raha hay baikhabar tu bhi hamari bainawai say.'
During his fifteen-year affiliation with the music industry, 1953- 1968, Fazal Hussain recorded approximately fifty songs
for thirty-eight movies. The love and admiration that fans lavished on him is astounding. His song in the 1954 film 'Gumnaan'
is remarkable enough:
'Bhaag yahan say bhag o sathi, dagar dagar is nagri mein Aag lagi hai Aag.' Music composer, Inayat Husain.
With songs like the one below Fazal Hussain became a famous vocalist and a 1950s radio favorite:
'Udas raatoan mein teri yadein sitara bun kar tutti hain.' The 1954 film 'Mujrim,' Music composer, Hasan Lateef Malik.
In 1954, Fazal Hussain also sang for the film 'Deewar.'
The popular music composer. Baba G.A. Chishti, was emboldened to play the challenging tragic score with an arresting blend
of accuracy and spontaneity:
'Aaj ye kis ko nazar kay saamnay pata hoon mein, pyar ki bhuli hui yadoan say takrata hoon mein.' The film 'Tufaan,' theatrical
release was on July 31, 1955.
In reality, those were the days of simplicity and very limited resources, but the fact remains that those exuberant early
compositions are idyllic in a way that seems poignant in light of today's music. One example below:
'Kisi say na kahay ga,' the film 'Patay Khan,' November 18, 1955, music composer, Akhtar Husain.
Most importantly, Fazal was a believer in the simple pleasures like this song, ' Tainu saun meri.' Fazal Hussain- Mala, the
1955 Punjabi film 'Lae lug.'
Fazal Hussain, along with his music composers might never had confronted a song they could not infuse with swinging optimism.
Below is a song from the 1955 film 'Jheel kinaray:'
Teri tasweer ye keh rahi hai, kis liye tu ye dukh seh rahi hai.'
The song below proves that Fazal had a natural instinct for music. That makes the tone of his voice all the more noticeable.
One example below:
'Chanda say pooch lay sitaroan say pooch lay.' Fazal Hussain- Kausar Perveen, the 1955 film 'Jheel kinaray.'
Below are the heart-broken lyrics from the 1956 film 'Qismat:'
'Pyar bhara dil toarnay walay pyar ka ye dastoor naheen.'
These are among the happiest effusions of music: 'Dil hamara zulf ki zanjeer kay qabil na tha.' The 1956 film 'Haqeeqat.'
Fazal recorded songs for the films 'Jeru,' 'Paigham,' and 'Nigar,' in 1957.
In 1958, Fazal sang for director Anwar Kamal Pasha's film 'Sheikh chilli.' Essentially, he expressed the same deep feelings
of peace and joy:
'Tu meri mein tera, mein teri tu mera.' Fazal Hussain- Zubeida Khanum.
Fazal continues to exert a peculiar fascination through his songs like this one, 'Gori gori o gaon ki chhori.' The 1958 film
'Naya daur.'
Fazal sang for only one movie, 'Lakan matti,' in 1959. In 1960, Fazal recorded songs for these four movies, 'Clerk,' 'Street
77,' 'Saheli.' And 'Mitti dian murtan.'
Fazal's songs were not just a contribution to movies. They were a commitment to quality music. Here is one example, 'Koi kisi
ko jalata hai koi jalta hai, sub chalta hai.' The 1960 film 'Clerk.'
Additionally, Fazal had a knack for making music come alive, like he did in 'Maula jab bhi deita hai chappar phaar kay deita
hai.' The 1960 film 'Street 77.'
Fazal was fired with ambition, determination and yearning for music. That he succeeded in making the most of every opportunity
is undisputed. One example below:
'Ye duniya goal hai, is ka bheid kisi nay na paya.' The 1960 film 'Saheli.'
Fazal's very presence charmed and soothed people, and good, innocent fun is what those early singers provided in abundance.
One example below:
'Dillan dian mailian ne chann jeyan surtan.' The Punjabi film 'Mitti dian murtan.' October 21, 1960.
Music kept its grip on Fazal's imagination, and he worked relentlessly to pursue realistic goals. One example is a song from
the 1962 movie 'Daal mein kala:' 'Lab pay naghma dil mein dharkan tum hamaray saamnay.' Fazal Hussain- Irene Perveen.
Most definitely, Fazal Hussain found a perfect unanimity of tone with the composers and lyricist of the time. One example
below:
'Har nazar say ik naya sawal ho gaya, Aap muskura diye kamal ho gaya.' The 1962 film 'Dosheeza.' Fazal Hussain- Naheed Niazi.
Fazal Hussain captivated the hearts and minds of his adorers with dignity, love and sincerity. Best of all, the music simply
made people jolly, like the song below:
'O babu mein laya chana joar garam masalay daar.' The 1963 film 'Saazish.'
Fazal Hussain frequently performed for Pakistani radio. Moreover, with the inauguration of Lahore television station in 1964,
Fazal Hussain, Saleem Raza, Baatish and Rangeela lent their voices to television's test transmissions.
In 1965, Fazal Hussain sang for the films 'Bharjai,' and 'Doli,' and in 1966 he recorded songs for the films 'Had haram' and
'Saukan.'
In reality, Fazal's version delineated the tragic story in the 1967 film 'Ailaan:' 'Ajab garbar ghutala hai, hamein to zindigi
day kar khuda nay maar dala hai.'
In the year 1967, Fazal sang for the film 'Lut da maal,' as well.
Fazal recorded his last song for the film 'Sadai Kashmir' which was later released as 'Do bhai' in 1968. Fans revel in delight
as they listen to 'Hum hain sipahee bhataktay rahi, sambhal kay chalo ye hain pyar ki rahain.' Fazal Hussain- Masood Rana,
the film 'Do bhai.'
Fazal stopped singing for Pakistani radio and television in 1974. Basically, Fazal was a very handsome, polite, sensitive
and quiet person. He always greeted people with a smile.
Readers may be interested to know that a person of Fazal's stature should have continued to generate song after songs. Then
why did he call it quits? It would take a book to answer the question 'why?'
Well, Fazal was not used to requesting for work. Ego and high self-esteem prevented him from pursuing filmmakers. Further,
Fazal did not frequent film studios. Hence, the music composers ignored him most of the time.
Lamentably, Fazal spent his last days without a job. Unfortunately, people like Fazal come and go quickly.
Fazal Hussain passed in 1992. He was fifty-seven years of age.
I sat down with my friends the other day and we laughed and sang just the
way he would have wanted us to.
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