The story of Naushad Ali is one of perseverance that turned a street-side dreamer into a musical titan. Today, on his 18th death anniversary, we revisit the poignant premiere of ‘Baiju Bawra’ that moved him to tears.
It was October 5, 1952, at Mumbai’s Broadway Theatre. As the film unfolded, Naushad stood weeping in the balcony. Director Vijay Bhatt’s query prompted a heartfelt reply: ’16 years—from that footpath over there to this stage.’
This revelation underscored his gritty rise from poverty. Hailing from Lucknow, born Christmas Day 1919, son of a munshi, Naushad drew inspiration from qawwalis at Deva Sharif. His genius lay in fusing ragas, folk tunes, and symphonic elements into Bollywood’s soundtrack.
‘Baiju Bawra’ immortalized him with hits like ‘Man Mor Aaja Re’ and ‘O Duniya Ke Rakhwale’. The Filmfare win propelled him to score epics: ‘Mother India’s haunting ‘Duniya Mein Hum Aaye To’, ‘Mughal-e-Azam’s defiant romance anthem, ‘Ganga Jumna’s rustic melodies, and more.
Collaborations with Rafi, Lata, Mukesh shone in ‘Ram Aur Shyam’ (‘Aaj Ki Raat’) and beyond. Remarkably, he finished ‘Pakeezah’s score posthumously for his protégé. His 100+ films boasted long runs, showcasing his signature style in ‘Shahjahan’s ‘Jab Dil Hi Tohat Gaya’, ‘Aan’, and others.
Awards poured in—Dadasaheb Phalke in 1981, Padma Bhushan in 1992—along with a commemorative stamp. A poet too, his book ‘Aathwan Sur’ reflects his soul. Naushad passed on May 5, 2006, leaving a legacy that defies time.
