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Sadiq-ul-Islam: Good as gold
By Anis Shakur
Haseen raat dhal gaye jawan din guzar gaya
Ye kaisa intizaar hai mera sukoon kidhar gaya
Haseen raat dhal gaye
Ye shaam-e-gham phir aik pal mein raat bun kay chaye gee
Mein jaanta hoon Aaj bhi mujhay na neend Aaye gee
Judai ka ye aik pal ajeeb kaam kar gaya
Haseen raat dhal gaye
Focus on what you do best, and success will follow.
The above phrase holds true to radio Pakistan's renowned producer-singer of
yesteryear, Sadiq-ul-Islam. Sadiq embarked on a career at a most opportune moment, because most of the then radio personalities
like Azeem Sarwar, Shamim Aijaz and Athar Shah Khan, regularly made their presence felt in one way or another.
The incredible competitive talent during those years brought out the best in Sadiq. More than competition, was a spirit
of collegiality, learning and help to perfect ones craft to the best of his ability.
Sadiq's outsize talent, his warmth and humility and the intensity of his ingenuity have inspired much adulation in the recent
past. Sadiq was not only a program producer of the highest grade but a highly competent singer as well.
He was equally at ease and in command with both sides of his creative ability. That made Sadiq's tone all the more noticeable.
Sadiq's creative thinking lead to one success after another. For instance, once at the end of Waheed Murad's interview, Sadiq
said that interview was recorded in 1982. The he added that he will take the listeners seventeen years back in time. When
the song 'Tu laakh chalari gori thum thum kay,' was recorded in Iqbal Banu's voice for the film 'Budnaam.' The public was
astonished at the sudden contrast.
The chief characteristic of Sadiq was the passion he inspired in everyone who came near him. Additionally, Sadiq's eagerness
is evident in all his presentations. Best of all, Sadiq always chose the act that spoke louder than words.
Once interviewing renowned pop singer, Nazia Hasan, Sadiq said to Nazia that he likes the song 'Aap jaisa koi meri zindigi
mein Aaye to baap bun jaaye.' Nazia immediately clarified that the word was 'baath' and not 'baap.' Sadiq's repartee, 'Oh,
I thought it was baap.' Those were the gimmicks that made Sadiq the media darling. The public invested their time listening
to Sadiq's interesting programs and they got so much back.
Talking of interviews, in the midst of an interview with singer Naheed Akhtar, Sadiq mentioned Naheed's song, 'Allah he Allah
kya karo, kuchh na kisi ko diya karo.' Naheed interrupted Sadiq by saying that it is 'dukh na kisi ko diya karo.' Thus, spinning
magic with words, Sadiq won the hearts of the listeners.
Moreover, Sadiq's ability to get through the bone of what makes us tick as humans and find humor in that distinguished him
from other radio producers. One example below:
One day Sadiq started his program as usual with 'Assalam o alaikum.' He talked for a minute and again said 'Assalam o alaikum.'
Then he informed the listeners that he was referring to a movie by the name of 'Assalam o alaikum.' Next, he played the song,
'Mohabbat kay diye jala lo,' sung by Saleem Shehzad for that movie.
Given the mood of the times, Sadiq could hardly ignore those gestures mentioned above. Sadiq's carefully fact - checked interviews
are highly laudable as well.
Once, Sadiq took two separate solos, 'Akele na jana,' in Mala and Ahmed Rushdi's voices in the film 'Armaan.' He meticulously
put them together in such a way that they sounded like a duet, and he played it for the public. Music buffs were amazed at
Sadiq's dexterity. That added authenticity in addition to Sadiq's implicit endorsement of the film 'Armaan.'
Further, Sadiq was known to select songs, which he played on different occasions. It was a difficult job done exceedingly
well by Sadiq.
Essentially, Sadiq was an exciting, exhilarating and enormously entertaining person. He had caught the public eye with a string
of interesting radio programs and with his melodious voice. He made the most of both of them.
Sadiq sang songs, which were accompanied with beautiful compositions, and the lyrics almost wrote themselves. One example
below:
'Teray pyar mein aye diwanay keh hai hai rula diya, kyon bhula diya tu nay.'
Sadiq was more than an artist. His was the voice of conscience. He brightened so many other lives by encouraging them. Basically,
Sadiq was an adornment to Pakistani radio. Hence, admirers revel in their delight as they listen to the song below:
'Haseen raat dhal gaye, jawan din guzar gaya, ye kaisa intizaar hai mera sukoon kidhar gaya.'
Like people, lasting songs want to be preserved as well as desired. Listening to the songs feels like something imagined.
In the song below it seems as if the words flowed straight from heaven into our dreams:
'Naino ki nagri mein Aao kabhi to khwaboan mein naghmay sunao o maajhi ho.'
Sadiq learned something new everyday and shared it with the people. It was all sweetness and light in Sadiq's particular brand
of sentimentality. The song below seems to occupy some point of fascination in our culture, which leaves a profound impact
on ones mind:
'Aao chalein us paar maajhi, maajhi ray, maajhi ray, maajhi ray.'
Memories of the blissful moments we have enjoyed with Sadiq come crowding over
us today. Sadiq's singing voice ignited a fire in innumerable adorers that never did go out. Hopefully, it never will.
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