M A I L B A G

Legacy of musical treasure

This refers to “Naushad Ali, the greatest” by M. L. Dhawan (Spectrum, May 14). The immortal music composer has left behind a legacy of lilting and haunting musical treasure for music lovers for all times. His secular credentials and that of his contemporaries are exemplary when we listen to Man tadpat Hari darshan (Baiju Bawra). The lyricist, the composer and singer were none other than Shakeel Badauni, Naushad and Mohmmad Rafi. The song sung is in love and praise of Hindu Gods.

Iqbal’s couplet is a befitting tribute to Naushad who loved poetry as much as music: Hajaron saal nargis apni benuri pe roti hai, badi mushkil se hota hai chaman mein deedawar paida.

B.M. SINGH, Amritsar

II

M. L. Dhawan, in his article “Naushad Ali, the greatest” (Spectrum, May 14) has given a beautiful account of Naushad’s contribution to film music. However, he has listed the Ye kaun aaya... number (from Saathi) among the gems created by the music maestro.

Surendra Miglani, Kaithal

III

With the death of Naushad on May 5, a golden era of film music has ended. I have been religiously listening to his compositions. He mesmerised millions for six decades with his soulful music.

There is an aesthetic synthesis of melody and rhythm in his music. Based on Indian classical ragas — Bhairvi being his forte — his songs reach out to the hearts of common men transporting them to an ecstatic world.

Naushad was one of the pioneers of orchestration of film music. Himself an Urdu poet, as well as a fine player of piano, he was meticulous in the choice of suitable words in songs. His music catapulted many a singer, actor and even director to great heights in the film industry. Immersed in composing a song, he would often forget to inhale his cigarette till its flame reached his fingers.

SANTOKH S. BENIWAL, Chandigarh

IV

In the passing away of Naushad Ali, an era in music has come to an end—an era marked by melody in films. In spite of being soaked in Hindustani classical music, he created tunes that will continue to enthral millions forever.

He was the first music director to conduct a 100-piece orchestra. Not only did he make great Hindustani vocalists like Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Aamir Khan and D.V. Paluskar sing under his baton, he also had the great K.L. Saigal sing in his last film, Shah Jahan, the immortal song, Jab dil hi toot gaya, hum jee ke kaya karenge.

The Ganga-Jamuna tehzeeb to which he belonged was fully echoed in great bhajans like Man tarpat Hari darshan ko aaj and O duniya ke rakhwale sun dard bhare mere nale (Baiju Bawra) and Insaf ka mandir hai yeh, Bhagwan ka ghar hai (Amar).

His Holi songs Khelo rang hamare sang aaj din rang rangila aya (Aan) and Holi aayee re Kanhayee holi aayee re (Mother India) were masterpieces.

His music in films from Annmol Ghadi to Ram aur Shyam left a great impact on the masses. Such a genius needs due recognition from the nation in the form of a permanent memorial like a music university. n

Brig H.S. SANDHU (retd), Panchkula

Harnessing maritime wealth This has reference to Dr Rakesh Dutta’s very informative article “Tap India’s sea wealth to boost maritime trade” (Perspective, April 16). Perhaps the days of the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans are over and the Indian Ocean is emerging as the ocean of the 21st century. From the Gulf of Aden to the Malacca Strait, the East African countries to Australia and New Zealand, there is immense potential of sea wealth to be harnessed. Free trade agreements with various countries would open new markets for Indian products and services. With its 12 major and 150 small ports, a vast continental shelf and sea territory on its entire coastline, India should be the major maritime nation in the Indian Ocean for which bold and innovative schemes are needed. Though India is the world’s fourth largest producer of fish, there is no national policy on fishing and mostly non-motorised boats ply. Since one-third of the world population live in this region, there are great economic potentialities. Even tiny places like Singapore, Dubai, Hong Kong and Colombo have become hubs for trans-shipments. By removing various handicaps, the infrastructure of India’s ports should be developed to boost our maritime trade. With its robust economic development, the sunshine time for India is not far off. Dr L.K. MANUJA, Nahan (HP)