Hum Intezaar Karenge Tera Qayamat Tak…Part - I

Remembering Music legend Roshan….

Emperor of such timeless melodies like Jo wada kiya woh nibhana padega….; Zindagi bhar nahin bhoolegi wo barsaat ki raat; Laga chunari me daag chupaun kaise…; Hum intezaar karenge tera qayamat tak… etc.

Music legend Roshan is perhaps one of the best music directors’ Indian cinema has ever witness. He was a true genius who unfortunately, despite a valuable treasure of sweet melodies, is today an unsung legend. Raaga. Com remembers the master music director on his birth anniversary that falls on July 14. 

Grandfather of today’s sensational Bollywood hero Hrithik Roshan and father of eminent filmmaker Rakesh Roshan and music director Rajesh Roshan, Roshan during his peak in the 50’s and 60’s was a name to reckon. Who can forget his super hit songs like ‘Ab Kya Misaal Doon..' (AARTI); 'Dil Jo Na Kehsaka..' (BHEEGI RAAT); 'Man Re Tu Kahe Na…( CHITRALEKHA); and of course the folk based number ‘Meri Beri Ke Ber Mat Todo Koi Kaanta Chubh Jayega....’(ANOKHI RAAT) that became a sensational recently when it was remixed by T-Series into a hot sensuous number and enacted by sizzling actress cum singer Sanober Kabir.

And last but not the least no qawali can ever be mentioned with the popular qawali 'Yeh Hai Ishq Ishq..' (BARSAAT KI RAAT) composed by none other but the musical wizard Roshan. 

Roshan Lal Nagrath aka Roshan was born on 14 July, 1917 Gujranwala, Punjab, British India (now part of Punjab in Pakistan). Since childhood he had a deep passion for music. His parents noticed his inclination for music and hence gave him the best training in music. 

Beginning with his first guru Master Manhar Barve to Ustaad Allauddin Khan to 'Sarangi King' Bundu Khan, young Roshan hired the best of music knowledge. In fact he is perhaps one of the few music directors who studied music at the Morris College of Music, Lucknow. Later his association with AIR (All India Radio) for almost a decade sharpened his skills as a music director par excellence. 

Armed with immense knowledge of music when Roshan landed in Mumbai trying his luck in Bollywood he had to face stiff competitions. After many rejections he was spotted by filmmaker Kidar Sharma, who gave him a break in his movie NEKI AUR BADI (1949). But unfortunately his debut movie was a failure and he went into depression and was on verge of committing suicide. But Kidar Sharma, gave him confidence and yet again offered his next movie BAAWRE NAIN, staring Raj Kapoor and Geeta Bali. 

Roshan took the movie as a challenge and gave his best shot. Result all the songs were super hit and are still immortal. Remember… Teri Duniya Mein Dil Lagta Nahi...; Khayalon Mein Kisi Ke Is Tarah....; Mujhe Sach-Sach Bata Do…

BAAWRE NAIN was a huge it and it established Roshan as a music director to reckon. 

NOTE: In the next issue read about Roshan’s rise and decline.