Khwaja Khurshid Anwar

Qasim Khan Lahore

Khurshid Anwar, was born on March 21, 1912, was a filmmaker, writer, director and music composer who gained extreme popularity both in India and Pakistan. He is widely credited as being one of the most original and inventive music directors of his generation.

His father, Khwaja Feroze Uddin, happened to be a renowned lawyer in Lahore at the time. Additionally, his two brothers, Khwaja Sultan and Khwaja Afzal, also practiced law.

During college days, Khurshid Anwar and Faiz Ahmed Faiz, were classmates and close friends, as well.

Ironically, in their earlier life, Khurshid Anwar was vehemently interested in Urdu poetry and literature. While Faiz had an aptitude for music.

However, in due course of time, the opposite happened. That is, Khurshid Anwar achieved immense success as a composer.

On the other hand, Faiz became one of the greatest poets of his times.

After completing his masters (philosophy) Punjab University and passing the Civil Service examination, as well, Khurshid Anwar spent time in Lahore radio station as program producer.

Those were good old days, when three great minds, Khurshid Anwar, Krishin Chandar and Feroze Nizami, worked for Lahore radio station.

Khurshid Anwar got his start as a composer in 1940. Soon afterwards, he relied on movies, forsaking radio job for the music that was to become his lifelong love.

Music was his crucible, and Khurshid Anwar was born to be a successful composer. He had a predetermined knack for music and the drive to succeed, on top of it.

The first movie for which he composed songs after migrating to Pakistan was 'Mirza Sahebaan', which was released in 1955. (Director: Dawood Chand, the popular song of 'Mirza Sahebaan' is 'Verun meray waari mein teray', picturised on actress Yasmeen).

Khurshid Anwar died on 30 October 1984 in Lahore after a protracted illness. In recognition of his contribution in enrichment film music, the Bombay film industry awarded him the coveted Mortal-Men-Immortal-melodies Award (1982). Great Urdu poet of 20th century, Faiz Ahmad Faiz was a lifelong friend of Khurshid Anwar. During an interview, in reply to a query of Anwar Maqsood, Faiz acknowledged that he was inspired by Khurshid Anwar.

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