Ghulam Haider

Master Ghulam Haider is a celebrated Pakistani music composer who worked extensively in India and Pakistan following the independence of 1947. He transformed film music by integrating popular Raags with the rhythmic energy of Punjabi music. His influence helped elevate the professional status of music directors throughout British India.

Early life and education

Accounts regarding his birthplace vary between two locations. One source states he was born in 1908 in Narowal, Punjab, while another account places his birth in Hyderabad, Sindh. He belonged to a Muslim Punjabi Khatri family. After completing his intermediate examination, he entered a college of dentistry to pursue a medical career. He eventually finished his education as a dentist.

His curiosity regarding music led him to study under several teachers, including Babu Ganesh Lal, Bhai Santoo Khan Pakhawaji (Murad Ali Khan), and Ustad Jhanday Khan. This passion forced him to abandon dentistry despite facing the wrath of his family. He secured work as a piano player for the Alfred Theatrical Company and Alexander Theatrical Company in Calcutta. He also served as a music composer for the Jenaphone Recording Company.

Career

Haider began his film career working with the Lahore-based duo Roshan Lal Shorey and Roop Kumar Shorey. A.R. Kardar provided him an opportunity to compose for the 1935 film Swarg Ki Seerhi, which prompted his move to Bombay. He achieved a significant breakthrough with the 1939 Punjabi film Gul-E-Bakavali starring Noor Jehan. This success was followed by the production of Yamla Jat in 1940.

The 1941 film Khazanchi marked a turning point for his career and the music industry. The song "Sawan Ke Nazare Hain," performed by Shamshad Begum and Haider himself, sparked a musical revolution. While previous directors relied on classical ragas, Haider introduced a free-wheeling style that captivated audiences. He solidified his status as a top composer with the 1942 hit Khandan, which featured Noor Jehan as the lead actress. Other successful works during this period included the 1943 film Poonji and the 1945 film Humayun.

Haider is credited with introducing several legendary singers to the Indian film industry, including Lata Mangeshkar, Shamshad Begum, Sudha Malhotra, and Surinder Kaur. He played a vital role in the early popularity of Noor Jehan through his work on Khandan. His compositions also introduced Punjabi folk music and instruments like the dholak to mainstream cinema. His musical style inspired later directors such as Hansraj Behl, Shyam Sunder, Husnlal Bhagatram, and Feroz Nizami.

In 1948, he composed the music for Majboor, a film that provided the first major breakthrough for Lata Mangeshkar. According to Mangeshkar, Haider acted as her godfather by fighting for her place in an industry that had initially rejected her. He reportedly convinced Bombay Talkies to hire her after other producers turned her away. His other notable hits from this era include Shaheed and Kaneez.

Following the independence of 1947, he returned to Lahore in 1949. His first Pakistani film was Shahida, released in 1949. He composed music for subsequent films such as Beqarar in 1950, Akeli in 1951, and Bheegi Palken in 1952. However, these later productions did not achieve commercial success. He passed away in Lahore at the age of 45 due to throat cancer, occurring just days after the release of the film Gulnar in 1953.

Personal life

Haider married Umrao Zia Begum in 1938. She was a famous singer who worked for Pancholi Studios in Lahore. He had previously composed music for her during his early career.

Awards and recognition

The President of Pakistan posthumously awarded him the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz in 2011. The Government of Pakistan also granted him the Pride of Performance Award in 2018.