FAYYAZ HASHMI

By 

Nadeemur Rehman

Mr. Fayyaz Hashmi is a legendary song and dialogue writer and above all a true loving person. He is by himself an institution and a common asset of the Indo-Pakistan film-world. His admirers as ever are not confined in national frontiers.  Those fond of Hindi / Urdu songs anywhere in the world have affection for him. The emergence of this bright star was evidenced much before independence of India, when Fayyaz Hashmi, still a teenager wrote the most famous song “Tasveer Teri Dil Mera Behla Na Sakhe Gi”. It was recorded in the voice of Talat Mehmood and music was composed by Kamal Das Gupta. This song brought “Talat” to limelight. Music for most of  the Fayyaz Hashmi’s songs recorded at Calcutta was composed by Kamal Das Gupta.

The dynamic achievements of young Fayyaz Hashmi and his clarity of expression by using simple words were greatly appreciated by Qazi Nazrul Islam -“Tum mann main doob kar mann ka bhed nikaltey ho. Aasan shubdoon mein mushkil baat kehna buhut mushkil hay”. His unique combination of Urdu, Hindi and Sanskrit words to produce a harmonious song thus became a guideline for the future poets of geets. The transformation of some traditional Bangla songs was also facilitated. He has also written songs in Brij Bhasa and Purbi. His pre-independence songs total to about 1000.

Mr. Fayyaz was born at Calcutta. His father, Syed Muhammad Hussain Hashmi Dilgeer was a very famous poet and writer of stage drama. He was director at the top class theater of that time named “ MADAN THEATER LTD.” He knew 8 languages.

Fayyaz hashmi wrote his first verse “Chaman main Ghuncha-o-gul ka tabassum dekhne walo – Kabhi tum ne haseen kalyoon ka murjhana bhi dekha hai” when he was in 7^th class. As a student of 9^th class, he was participating in regular “mushairas”. He got an assignment in the British owned Gramophone Company at DumDum (now called Jessore Road, Kolkotta) India. He served there during 1943 to 1948 period. At that time the average monthly production of record was only 16. Once all the records (16) issued in a month were written by Mr. Fayyaz Hashmi- a record by itself. Some of the evergreen hit songs of Mr. Fayyaz Hashmi are quoted here:  

In 1948, he was posted as recording Manager at Dhaka Center of the Gramophone Company and thereafter in 1951 at Lahore. He promoted many talents like Farida Khanum, Saeen Marna, Saeen Akhtar and Saeen Budha.

He diverted towards the writing of film songs in 1956. “Kunwari Bewa” was the first film in Pakistan with his songs. He wrote more than 2000 songs for films and Gramophone Recording Company. He had also written stories, dialogues and scripts of many hit films like AULAD, ZAMAN KIYA KAHE GA, NEHLEY PE DEHLA, INTEKHAB, PEHCHAN, KHUDA AUR MUHABBAT, GHAREEBON KA BADSHAH etc. including “ HUM AIK HAIN” which was also directed by him.  It was the first Pakistani film with 5 songs filmed in colour and as such a record in Pakistan film industry.

Every film, songs of which were written by Mr. Fayyaz Hashmi became super hit like SAHELI, AULAD, ASHIANA, SUHAGAN, HONAHAR, PEGHAM, SARTAJ, SHAREEK-E-HAYAT, EID MUBARAK, SHABNAM, LOVE IN JUNGLE, TOBA, SAWAL, LAKHOON MAIN AIK, DEWAR BHABI etc.

He received Graduate Award 3 times and also Nigar award for the best song in 1978 on “Chalo Achha Hua Tum Bhool Gaye” film “Lakhoon Main Aik”. He received International award in 1986 and another Nigar award in 1988 for the best dialogue of film “ Ghareebon Ka Badshah”. In addition to these he recounts about 11 Silver Jubilee Awards and 17 Golden Jubilee**.  “Deewane Tere Pyar ke” is the latest film all songs of which have been written Fayyaz Hashmi.

The first compilation of his poetry was published as “ RAG RANG” in 1944 in India. His poems were published in various journals and magazines like Adbi Duniya, Adbe Lateef, Alamgeer, Beesveen Sadi, Shama (Delhi), Chitrali (Dhaka), Nigar (Karachi), Amar Jadeed and Amrit Bazar Patrika (Calcutta, India). He wrote many Naats and Qawwalis. He also wrote many National songs like (Ae Quiad-e-Azam tera ehsan hai ehsan” & “ Suraj Kare Salam – Chanda kare Salam”.

On the publication of his mystic versus, Mr. Raees Amrohi commented that “History of Sufi poets is indicative of a glorious future for them and Mr. Fayyaz Hashmi has very faithfully absorbed himself by heart and soul in that trait.”

Mr. Fayyaz Hashmi is a great asset and trendsetter. God Bless him with best of health and long life.  

**AWARDED SONGS  OF FAYYAZ  HASHMI

About the Authors

* Nadeemur Rehman is an Electronics Engineer and presently working in the field of Information Technology.

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