Mujeeb Alam: Music First

By Anis Ahmed Shakur

Mujeeb Alam lived in the long shadow of highly successful Pakistani singers in the mid-sixties. However, soon he made is own distinct way into the world of music. Essentially he was a very humorous person He loved to exchange jokes and made friends easily. Further, he had that rare ability to be with some one in their best or worst moments. Additionally, he had a certain hale and heartiness, which was the cornerstone of his personality. The song which brought over night fame for him was 'wo meray samnay tasweer banay baithay hain (film: Chakori:1967, director: Ehtesham, composer: Robin Ghosh, Mujeeb won the Nigar Award for this song) Likewise, all the songs of film 'Shama aur perwana', which were recorded in Mujeeb's resonant voice proved to be super-hits.

Listed here below are some of the songs of 'Shama aur Perwana', sung by Mujeeb:

'Mein teiray ajnabi sheher mein'
'Dil teiri yaad mein jab ghabrae ga'
'Mein teira sheher chore jaa-oon ga'
'Meray saathi dil mera tujh ko'
Badaloan kay talay hum'(Mujeeb-Mala)

A seemingly endless procession of a genre of songs appeared in the years to follow:

'Bujhay na dil raat ka' ( film: Ghar apna ghar: 1968)
'Thaki, thaki see zindigi (film: Aawara)
'Khuda kabhi na karay (film: Anjaan)

Whether it be a song with a promising note like 'Tum nay wada kiya tha Aanay ka' (film: Maan beita: 1969) or a song with a sarcastic message like 'Mein khushi say kyon na gaa-oon' (film: Lori)

Mujeeb performed brilliantly in all situations.

Moreover, Mujeeb was highly successful in romantic scores as well.
Take, for instance, the following songs:

'Khuda nay husn diya bay mesaal tujhay: (film: Hatim tai)
'Yoon kho gaye teiray pyar mein hum: (film: Afsana: 1970)
'Koi ja kar unsay keh dey (film: Jalwa)
'Hai bay qaraar tamanna, zara theher jao' (film: Meray hum safar)
'Zara tum he so cho, bechar kay ye milna' (film: Dil dey kay dekho)
'Kisi kay bay chain dil ki dharkan (film: Main kahan, manzil kahan)

Here is a song which depicts a sons profound love for his mother:
'Aye maan teri soorat kay Aagay': (film:Quli, Mujeeb won the Nigar Award for this song)

Another note worthy song is 'Qasam us waqt ki,jab zindigi karwat badalti hai'(film: Qasam us waqt ki)

An example of Mujeeb's tragic number: 'Duniya walo tumhari duniya mein' (film: Saughaat)

Mujeeb recorded songs with almost all great female singers of his time and all those duets were mega-hits.
Some memorable duets appear here below:

'Hari, hari, ruth aye sawan ki' (film: Mein zinda hoon, Mujeeb-Mala)
'Mujhay jaan say bhi pyara' (film: Dil lagi, Mujeeb-Noor Jehan)
'Kiya dil ruba hain nazaray': (film: Wehshi, Mujeeb-Aa'ereen Perween)
'Meri zindigi kay raaz daan' (film: Taan sain, Mujeeb- Aa'ereen Perween)
'Pyar ki rahoan mein' (film: Shohar, Mujeeb-Mala)
'Kho gaya na janay kyon' (film: Punchi baanwara, Mujeeb- Naheed Niazi)
'Qadmoan mein ruk kay' (film: Wasiyat, Mujeeb- Naseem Begum)
'Kho gaye tum kahan: (film: Jungli phool, Mujeeb- Naheed Niazi)
'Apni bhikri huee' (film: Naaz, Mujeeb-Mala)
'Meray dilber O meray (film: A'man, Mujeeb-Runa laila)
'Chore kar chali ho' (film: Taqdeer kahan lay Aaye, Mujeeb-Mala)
'Tu chanda hai mera' (film: Bay Qusoor, Mujeeb-Runa laila)
'Zindigi bhar mujhay Aarzoo (film: Jawab dou, Mujeeb- Mala)

Given here below are three slow numbers:

'Urta hua waqt thaam lo,saathi na ho jae shaam'(film:A'man, Mujeeb-Runa laila)
'Saathi kahan ho, Aawaz tou dou,pal pal mera pyar pukaray (film:Lakhon mein aik, Mujeeb- Noor Jehan)
'Aaray, Aaray, dil kay saharay' (film: Dosti, Mujeeb-Noor Jehan)

Though retired as a singer from the Pakistani music scene, still all his immortal solos and poignant duets, some of which portray the twists and turns of life, will continue to attract a myriad of listeners for many more years.