# Nazir Ali (musician)

Nazir Ali (1945 – 5 January 2003) was a Pakistani film music director. He is widely considered as the "King of dhamaal" in Pakistan.
He composed 123 songs in 39 Urdu films and 435 songs in 115 Punjabi films. He won 2 Nigar Awards during his music career over three decades.

## Early life and career

Nazir Ali was born in Gakhar Mandi, Gujranwala district, British India in 1945. In 1961, he started his music career as an assistant musician for M. Ashraf, a musical duo. He also assisted musicians Bakhshi-Wazir and Tassaduq Hussain for some time. Finally, he gained a chance as a solo music director with a film, "Paidagir" that was released in 1966.
He got his first breakthrough as a musician from a film 'dhamaal', "Lal meri pat rakhiyo" recorded in the voice of Noor Jehan for the movie, "Dilan De Sauday" (1969). His first Urdu movie, "Aansoo", was released in 1971 and included several hit tracks like, "Teray Bin Yon Gharyian Beetein" (vocalized by Masood Rana / Noor Jehan), "Jan e Jan Tu Jo kahay" (vocalized by Mehdi Hassan), and others. Afterwards, he became one the busiest music directors in Lollywood. Nazir composed 559 songs in 161 Urdu and Punjabi films. His last film "Gujjar 302" was released in 2001. Nazir Ali's prime was in the 1970s and the melodies he created have become part of the cultural heritage of Pakistan.

## Musical style

During the 1970s and the 1980s, Nazir popularized the Punjabi film music, leaving an indelible mark on it. He was the first music director to infuse a touch of sufi 'dhamaal' into conventional Punjabi tunes, resulting in a distinct style of music. In 1969, he began collaboration with Noor Jehan from the most famous dhamaal song, "Lal meri patt rakhio bhala jhole laalan" for the film "Dillan de soday". In 14 Punjabi movies, they both created enchantment with dhamaal songs. It was reportedly said by the music critics of that time, "Nazir Ali was firmly grounded in the Punjabi ang."

## Popular compositions

| Song title | Sung by | Lyrics by | Music by | Film notes |
| Lal Meri Patt Rakhio Bhala, Jhoolay Lalan De | Noor Jehan | Old traditional lyrics written by a Sufi poet Saghar Siddiqui to honor the 13th century Sufi saint Lal Shahbaz Qalandar | Nazir Ali | Dillan De Sauday (1969) |
| Bhul Jaan Ae Sab Gham Dunia De, Jinnun Pyar Karran Jay Oh Naal Hovay | Masood Rana | Hazin Qadri | Nazir Ali | Dillan De Sauday (1969) |
| Apna Bana Kay, Dil Laa Kay, Nass Jaain Na, Mere Haania | Noor Jehan | Hazin Qadri | Nazir Ali | Dillan De Sauday (1969) |
| Sahtoun Kahnun Pherrian Ne Akhian Wey Babua | Noor Jehan | Hazin Qadri | Nazir Ali | Genterman (1969) |
| Sayyo Ni Mera Mahi, Meray Bhag Jagawan Aa Geya | Noor Jehan | Hazin Qadri | Nazir Ali | Mastana Mahi (1971) |
| Wey Sab Taun Sohneya, Haaye Wey Mann Mohnya | Tasawar Khanum | Khawaja Pervaiz | Nazir Ali | Rangeela (1970) |
| Jaan-e-jaan Tu Jo Kahe, Gaaun Mein Geet Nayei | Mehdi Hassan | Tanvir Naqvi | Nazir Ali | Aansoo (1971) |
| Teray Bina Yun Gharian Beetin, Jaisay Sadiyan Beet Gein | Masood Rana | Khawaja Pervaiz | Nazir Ali | Aansoo (1971) |
| Sab Haseen Bewafa Hain Iss Zamaane Mein | Naseem Begum and other singers (Qawwali) | Tanvir Naqvi | Nazir Ali | Aansoo (1971) |
| Dildar Sadqay, Lakh War Sadqay, Tera Karm Hoya, Hoya Pyar Sadqay | Noor Jehan | Hazin Qadri | Nazir Ali | Sultan (1972) |
| Dhian Da Dhan Praaya Wey Babula | Noor Jehan | Hazin Qadri | Nazir Ali | Khan Chacha (1972). This was the first Diamond Jubilee Punjabi language film in Pakistan |
| Jinnan Teri Marzi Nacha Bailiya | Noor Jehan | Hazin Qadri | Nazir Ali | Khan Chacha (1972) |
| Pyaar Jo Hoya Naal Teray, Teray Wey Mahi Meray | Noor Jehan | Hazin Qadri | Nazir Ali | Jeera Blade (1973) |
| Ae Nagri Daata Di, Sajno Eithay Aanda Kul Zamana | Masood Rana and Noor Jehan | | Nazir Ali | Nagri Daata Di (1974) |
| Mahia Jay Mein Kabootri Howaan | Noor Jehan | Hazin Qadri | Nazir Ali | Ishq Mera Naan (1974) |
| Punjaban Thaith Mahia | Noor Jehan | Hazin Qadri | Nazir Ali | Buddha Sher (1974) |
| Russ Kay Turr Paye O Sarkar, Torr Kay Mera Sajra Pyaar | Masood Rana and Rubina Badar | Khawaja Pervaiz | Nazir Ali | Khanzada (1975) |
| Sharbat Kay Badlay Pila Di Sharab, Tera Khana Kharab | Nahid Akhtar | Riaz ur Rehman Saghar | Nazir Ali | Aurat Eik Paheli (1976) |
| Kuchh Dair Tau Ruk Jaao Barsaat Kay Bahanay | Noor Jehan | | Nazir Ali | Bara Aadmi (1981) |
| Mahi Aaway Ga Mein Phullan Naal Dharti Sajawan Gi | Noor Jehan | Khawaja Pervaiz | Nazir Ali | Qaidi (1986) |

## Awards

Nazir Ali received the best musician Nigar Awards for the following films:
* Mastana Mahi (1971)
* Sultan (1972)

## Death

Nazir Ali died on 5 January 2003, in Lahore, Pakistan.