Mumbai, Sangeet Samrat Naushad was the first musician in the Hindi film industry who won the first Filmfare Award in the composer category.
He earned the honour for the movie "Baiju Bawra", released in 1953. After this, he did not get any Filmfare Award. But in recognition of his significant contribution to Indian cinema, he was honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
Born on December 25, 1919 into a middle-class orthodox Muslim family in Lucknow, Naushad had an inclination towards music since childhood. After watching a movie, he often spent night fueling his hobby, earning in the process the displeasure of his father.
His father warned Naushad to choose between home or music.
Once upon a time, a drama company came to Lucknow and Naushad finally dared to speak to his father. He then left home and joined the drama troupe and toured Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bareilly and Gujarat.
Bhondumal & Sons had a shop of musical instruments in Lucknow. Once the owner asked Naushad why he was standing near the shop. Naushad said he wanted to work in the shop. Naushad knew he would be able to perform Riyaz on musical instruments on this pretext.
One day, while performing Riyaz, the owner accused Naushad of making his instruments dirty. But later he felt that as Naushad had composed a melodious tune, he not only gifted them the instruments but arranged for hum to learn music.
Naushad came to Mumbai in 1937 with the dream of becoming a musician after borrowing Rs 25 from a friend.
In Mumbai, Naushad faced many difficulties. He even spent the night on a pavement for many days.
During this period, Naushad met producer Kardar, on whose recommendation he got the job of playing piano at composer Hussain Khan's house for 40 rupees a month. After this, Naushad worked as an associate of composer Khemchandra Prakash.
As a music composer, Naushad got a chance to work in the film "Premnagar", released in 1940, on Rs 100 per month.
After the success of his song "Ankhiyan Mila Ke Jiya Bharma Ke Chale Nahi Jaana" in the 1944 film "Ratan", Naushad started taking 25,000 rupees as remuneration. After this, Naushad never looked back.
Today's generation still hums the melodious music of "Shahkar Mughle Azam", which was released in 1960. Naushad, who composed its song, had earlier refused to direct the music of "Mughle Azam".
Naushad composed music for about 70 films in his career spanning nearly six decades. If you take a look at his film journey, then you will find that he did most films with lyricist Shakeel Badayuni and the songs composed by him became a huge hit.
Mohammad Rafi was Naushad's favorite singer. Naushad also played an important role in establishing Lata Mangeshkar, Suraiya, Uma Devi and lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri in the film industry.
Naushad was the first musician to separate sound mixing and song recording in the field of playback singing.
He was the first to use accordion in film music. He died on May 5, 2006 in Mumbai due to cardiac arrest at age 86. He was buried at the Juhu Muslim cemetery.
He was ranked as one of the most respected and successful music directors of the Indian film industry.