FROM
THE CULTURALLY RICH CITY OF PESHAWAR
ALLAH
DAD KHAN
(We are from Allah and to him we shall return)
By Aman Durrani
From the very childhood Allahdad Khan had enjoyed
listening gramophone records on a machine brought by his father from Bombay to
Peshawar in the year 1935. He has, since long reserved
a
portion of his house for the preservation and display of his treasure of
gramophone records. He has made Herculean efforts for his very comprehensive
collection. The process was between the BEE and the FLOWERS. Above all he is a
very generous person. He shares "this honey" with all those who desire
or deserve the treatment. This includes doctors and surgeons... Dr. Amjad
Hussain from America, Dr. Siraj from Canada, Dr. Zahoor Ahmad Awan and Dr.
Ahmad Jamal, nephew of Gul Hamid. Mr. Allahad has a comprehensive album of Gul
Hamid, the most charming film hero of thirtees. Mr. Allahdad is always available
for entertaining friends and guests and his sons help him in this aspect. The
main custodian of the valuable asset is Qaiser Khan, his son. You find here an
edge over the traditional hospitality of this province. People come in groups
every evening or week ends and for the whole day on holidays. In such a
gathering of dedicated people every one feels relaxed and refreshed.
Mr. Abdul Aziz a businessman with great affinity to Bengal Music and Mr.
Sadullah Jan, Mr. Tariq Latif, Mr. Babar and Mr. Majid Kanwar from Islamabad
lovers of Geeta Roy songs are casual visitors. I (a retired engineer) am a
regular visitor. All of them have their own selective collection also.
He has the earliest
recordings on card board type disc. Records produced as early as 1905 are
available with him including those of "Gohar Jan" of Calcatta. The
very first film records of Madam Noor Jehan, (Yemlajat-punjabi) Surrayia (Nai
dunyia)and Lata Mangeshkar (mujboor) from part of his library. The rare Ghazals
of Angur bala, Indubala, Kamla Jharia, Sardar-Akhtar, Satiyavati Patel, Miss
Tamancha Jan, Kaisori bai, Inayat bai, Waheeden bai, Eiden bai, Jaden bai, Gohar
Sultan, Kajjan bai, Angeli bai, Aschariya Moe Dasi, Omrao Zia Begum, Imam Bandi
and Badrun Nisa and other classical songs are in large number with him. Dadra's
of Mushtari bai and Akhtari bai of Faizabad are also no exception. In addition
to Basic and Film songs he has a good collection of Instrumental Music (SAZ)records.
These total over 12000(mostly 78rpm) and include New Theatre Film songs- Kanan,
Punkaj, Saigal, Pahari Sanial, Asit Baran, Radha Rani, Ila Ghosh, Shiela Sarkar,
Utpla Sen, K.C Day, Feroza Begum, Juthika Roy.....
Records of different
singer are neatly placed in separate boxes - as can be seen in the picture. He
uses special covers (with his name) and stickers. Typical features of his
collection is that he has recordings of Dulari Bai and Akbar Khan (sultana fame)
of Peshawar and record gifted to him by the composers (Bhishmadeb Chatterji) of
Megaphone co. with his signatures. His collection of records covers many
languages including Persian, Pushto, Punjabi and Hindko. A rare song of 1920
written and sung by Prof. Miran Bakhsh Peshawari in the court of King Amanullah
of Afghanistan is with him. Some of the songs are on about 1000 audio and video
cassettes He lives in Yakatoot mohalla of Peshawar. He is like a unique tree
with comfort of shadow and abundant of delicious ripe fruit.
He is humble and loving gentleman. God bless him with long happy life.
Photographed by: Mr.
Sohail Ahmed
Condolenses:
- Deep Condolences
to the bereaved family members (Suresh S. Chanvankar & Members of the
Society of Indian Record Collectors.
- Condolence messages
from Dhananjey Naniwadekar, Harish Ranguwanshi, Dewan Zubair Farooqui, Har
Mandir Singh 'Hamraaz', Sultan Arshad, Sohail Ahmed, Dr. Surjit Singh, Abdul Rasheed Qureshi & others from India, Pakistan and
several other countries of the world.
* Mr. Allahdad Khan was
nominated President of RECAP (Record Collectors Association of Pakistan).
May Allah rest his
soul in peace - Oldies Club.
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