By Fareeduddin Alavi
“Ghir ghir gun mein ghor gata chaei Ooo mohe yad teri aayee”
KHURSHEED
By Fareeduddin Alavi
“Ghir ghir gun mein ghor gata chaei Ooo mohe yad teri aayee”
(Irshad Begum as Shehla in Laila Majnu 1931, courtesy by Mr. Dewan Zubair Farooqi)
“Koeliya Kahe Bole Ree”
Khursheed Bano, a founding singer/actress whose real name was Irshad Begum, started her film career as Shehla in 1931- the year when the first talkie film (Alamara) of the sub-continent was released. She was born in the village Choonian, Distt. Lahore on 14th April, 1914.
“Tera Anokha Singhar Ree Dulhan Albeli”
“Mohabbat Mein Sara Jahan Jal Raha Hae”
(Contributed by Mr. A. R. Qureshi)
Her earlier films are Laila Majnu, and Shakuntla in 1931, Chatra Bakavli, Hatili Dulhan, Muflis Aashiq, Radheshyam in 1932, Naklee Doctor in 1933, Suarag ki Serhi, Bomb Shell, Chiragh-e-Husn, and Mirza Sahiban in 1935. Ailan-e-Jang, Kimiagar in 1936. Iman Farosh in 1937, Madhur Milan in 1938. Murad, Kaun kisi ka and Sitara in 1939
Khurshid did a number of movies for Ranjeet Movietone and her leading men included famous actors like K.L.Saigol, Motilal, and Jairaj. Musafir and Holi (“Bhigoi Moree Saree Ray”), in 1940, Pardesi (“Pahley Jo Mohabbat Sey Inkaar Kia Hota”,“Mori Ateria Hai Sooni”), Beti, and Shaadi (“Ghir Ghir Aaye Baderia”), in 1941. Bhagat Surdas (Her famous song “Panchee Bawra” whose composer was Gyan Dutt became a very famous song of the forty’s. The other famous and popular songs from the same film are “Madhur Madhur Ga Ray Manwa”, “Jholee Bhar Taray Laday Ray”, and a duet “Chandni Raat Aur Taray Khilay Hon” with K.L. Saigol.), Chandni and Patola (in Punjabi) in 1941. Tansen and Nurse (“Koyalia Kahay Bolay Ree”) in 1943. Tansen with music composed by legendary KhemChander Parkash was a very successful film of her career in box office. She became very popular with this film as an actress as well as a singer.
“Ghata Ghan Ghor Ghor”
“Punchi bawra chand se preet lagae”
(Contributed by Mr. A. R. Qureshi)
Her famous songs (with her name as Tani as heroine in this film) included such popular songs as “Barso Re”, “Ghata Ghan Ghor Ghor”, “Dukhia Jiara”, “Ab Raja Bhae Moray Balam”, and a duet, “Moray Bala Pun Kay Sathee Chela” with K.L. Saigol. Her other famous films are, Mumtaz Mahal (“Jo Hum Pay Guzarti Hai”, “Dil Kee Dharkan Bana Liya”), Shahenshah Babar (“Mohabbat Mein Sara Jahan Jal Raha Hai”,”Bulbul aa tu bhi ga”) in 1944. Prabhu ka Ghar and Moorti (“Ambwa Pay Koyal Boley”, “Baderia baras gayee uss paar”) with music composition by Bilo.C.Rani in 1945. Aagey Barho and Mitti (Chahi kali ghata more balam) in 1947. Aap Beetee (“Meree Bintee Suno Bhagwan”) in 1948.
“Baderia baras gai uss paar”
“Itna bhi na wo samjha ke gaye - keun shama bichari jalti hae”
Khurshid Bano migrated to Pakistan after independane, with her husband/manager Lala Yakub who was an occasional actor and a member of the Bhati Gate Group Lahore. Her two Pakistani films were Fankaar and Mandee in 1956. Frustrated from her spouse she left him and married in 1956 a genuine admirer who was in the shipping business and his name was Yusuf bhai Mian and later became a philanthropist. After marriage with Yusuf bhai Mian she appeared in few PTV shows. A number of private shows were also held by her admirers and private institutions, which were attended by her.
“Udas sham ki ahein salam kehti hein"
She was among the two singing actresses of Mumbai Film-world who have shared stellar honors with the renowned singer K.L. Saigol. Surraiya, another popular singer/actress of the forty’s and fifty’s remains the only one now. This talented and famous actress/singer of the thirties and the forty’s, Khurshid Bano reverted to the creator on 18th April 2001 in Karachi, at the age of 87 years and thus an era of talent in terms of acting/singing in the film industry finally came to an end.
“Jo hum peh guzerti hae sitaroun se
poochiey”
About the Author
Mr.
Fareeduddin Alavi hails from the pink city of Jaipur. He migrated to
Pakistan in 1947 and was educated at Hyderabad (1955) and thereafter at Karachi.
After graduation in Science he joined Flight Operation Department of PIA in
1961. As an amateur singer he participated in several music programs of Radio
Pakistan Karachi (Shoquia Ganein Walon Ki Mehfil) during the 1956-57 period. He
was awarded first prize at an open concert organized by the Karachi Institute of
Music in 1958. After retirement as Manager Flight Operations in 1998 he is now
occasionally seen in private musical functions as an active audience. He is a
founder member of “Amateur Melodies” Club.
Acknowledgements:
- Filmography Data courtesy Dr. M. Rafiq UK.