Daily Times

Though we shall continue to mention Mala’s various songs that she rendered for Pakistani films, we must mention “Akaile na jaana” from the movie ‘Armaan’, composed by Sohail Rana.

This song was placed during the climax of the film. Waheed Murad and Zeba’s couple became the much-sought after pair after this film, so did Mala as a singer. Sohail Rana had actually requested Noor Jahan to render the sad version of this song but as destiny would have it, this song changed Mala’s destiny. Despite Noor Jahan’s entry as a playback singer and Runa Laila’s crusade in playback singing, Mala remained a popular female singer from the mid-1960s to 1970s.

Pakistan’s first colour film venture ‘Naila’ produced by Agha GA Gul became the best movie for Mala as master Inayat Hussain picked her voice for Shamim Ara’s playback voice. Many critics were surprised in the beginning when Master Inayat Husain announced his decision to give away all female numbers from that movie to this lesser known crooner. Most surprised was Syed Afzal Hussain, the chief recorder at the Evernew Studio for he had no clue as what to do with a voice that was so shrill and high-pitched. At last he came out with the ingenuous idea of switching off all the lower keys on the recording machine, something that had never tried before. The experiment was successful. Master Inayat’s best collection of songs was appreciated by music lovers in this movie. He stated that he needed a simple voice with simple tunes for a girl that lived in Murree’s mountains with no training as a professional singer. Picturised on the lovely Shamim Ara, songs like “Gham-e-Dil Ko In Ankhon Se Chalak Jana Bhi Ata Hai” are popular even today. This movie was released on October 29, 1965. It is one of the greatest romantic and melodious films made in Pakistan. The story was based on a famous novel by Razia Butt. It was Mala’s best musical film. She bagged a Nigar Award for her songs in this film. The cast included Shamim Ara, Santosh, Darpan and Ragni in leading roles. Shamim Ara bagged the award for best actress. Other hit songs by Mala were “Dur Weeraney May Ek Shama Hai Kab Se Roshan”, “Ab Thandi Aanhein Bhar Pagli”, “Mujhe Arzu Thi Jis Ki Woh Payam Agaya Hai” and so on. Shamim Ara, a Pakistani film actress, director and producer, got popularity for her leading role in ‘Naila’ and her fame and impeccable acting skills landed her the title character in the film. Her portrayal of the tragedy-stricken Naila, which was a story of two stepbrothers and their cousin, won her further critical acclaim due to this film. It was a unique record that this film was continuously exhibited for more than three years in Zafar Firdaus Cinema, Peshawar, from December 1965. To revive the Pakistani cinema, this film was screened by Lok Virsa on January 9, 2016 in Islamabad.

While browsing through Mala’s songs, I came across a lovely romantic track from the film ‘Afsana’, “Hum Ko Tumhare”. It was filmed on Deeba and Waheed Murad. Another song by Mala with Masood Rana, “Dil May Basaya Pyar Se Hum” is filmed on Zeba this time with Waheed Murad from the film ‘Jaag Utha Insaan’. My favourite song however is from the film ‘Ehsaan’ with lyrics “Ik Naye More Pe Le Aye Hain Halaat Mujhe” picturised on Zeba. Sohail Rana excelled with this music composition. Another Punjabi venture produced by Waheed Murad with Naghma as heroine has Mala’s song “Aina Phul Kaliyan Di Mehfil Vich” from the film ‘Mastana Mahi’. I believe it was put to music by Nazir Ali. The male version of this song was sung by Rajab Ali. A duet with Rushdi is “Mausam Haseen Hai Lekin” is picturised on Zeba and Muhammad Ali in snowy mountains. Mala’s voice has been used melodiously well in the song “Gar Ijazat Ho Tou Ye Shab Mukhtasar Hone Na Du” for the film ‘Aashna’, again a beautiful piano number. The male version has been rendered by Ahmad Rushdi. The cast of the film was relatively new and comprised Sumbal, Farooq Jalal, Nanha, and SM Salim. The film was released on October 23, 1970. Mala’s vocals sounded soothing in this song, thanks to Nisar Bazmi.

Raag Bhairveen’s alaap on flute, marks the beginning of the song “Kahan Gaya Re, Ja Ke Bhi Tu Nahi Gya Mere Dil Se” filmed on Deeba for Waheed Murad while Rozina looks on. It is a nice but a lesser heard song. Again the lyrics are unclear because of the tune on top notes. Continued