# Masroor Anwar

Masroor Anwar (6 January 1944 – 1 April 1996) was a ghazal poet, film song lyricist and a film screenwriter. He wrote the lyrics for 'Ko Ko Korina', South Asia's first pop song, and working alongside Sohail Rana, film director Pervez Malik and film producer and actor Waheed Murad in the 1960s, was part of the country's golden age of cinema helping establish Karachi as a major hub for film production.

## Early life and career

He was born in 1944 in Shimla, Punjab, British India and following the partition, moved to Karachi, Pakistan. In Karachi, he grew up to be a chubby and baby-faced young man. After finishing his basic education from Government Islamia Science College, Karachi, he worked for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) for a short period and later for Radio Pakistan as a staff artist because of his deep interest in poetry and literature. At Radio Pakistan, he was helped by the film actor Ibrahim Nafees who introduced him to the film producer Iqbal Shehzad. He was hired by Iqbal Shehzad to write his first film song for his film Banjaran (1962). Then he became part of a group of four people in Karachi – Waheed Murad, Pervez Malik, Sohail Rana and Masroor Anwar that made many big hit films together in the 1960s and 1970s.

## Death and legacy

He died in Lahore on 1 April 1996 at age 51 and was laid to rest at Karim Block graveyard, Iqbal town, Lahore.
In the history of Pakistani cinema, Masroor Anwar was considered one of the best film song writers. Besides film songs, he also wrote some touching popular patriotic songs.

## Popular songs

| Song | Singer | Music director | Film or Television notes |
| Master Jee Hamein Sabaq Parha Do | Nahid Niazi | Deebo Bhattacharya | Banjaran (1962 film) Masroor Anwar's first film song |
| Chanda Se Milne Chali Hai Chakori | Mala | Sohail Rana | Jab Se Dekha Hai Tumhein (1962 film) |
| Apni Jaan Nazar Karoon, Apni Wafa Pesh Karoon (a patriotic song) | Mehdi Hassan | | A Radio Pakistan production (1965) |
| Mujhe Ik Larki Se Pyaar Ho Gaya | Salim Shehzad and Shazia | Sohail Rana | Heera Aur Pathar (1964 film) |
| Akelay Na Jaana Hamein Chhorr Kar Tum | Mala and Ahmed Rushdi | Sohail Rana | Armaan |
| Ko Ko Korina | Ahmed Rushdi | Sohail Rana | Armaan (1966 film) |
| Bade Be-Murrawwat Hain Yeh Husn Waalay, Kahin Dil Lagaanay Ki Koshish Na Karna | Suraiya Multanikar | Deebo Bhattacharya | Badnaam (1966 film) This one was a huge 'mujra' song hit |
| Mujhe Tum Nazar Se Gira Tau Rahe Ho | Mehdi Hassan | Sohail Rana | Doraha |
| Ik Sitam Aur Meri Jann, Abhi Jaan Baqi Hai | Mehdi Hassan | Nisar Bazmi | Saiqa (1968) |
| Dil Dharke Mein Tum Se Yeh Kaise Kahoon, Kehti Hai Meri Nazar Shukriya | Runa Laila | Nisar Bazmi | Anjuman |
| Sohni Dharti Allah Rakhay Qadam Qadam Aabad Tujhe (a patriotic song) | Shahnaz Begum | Sohail Rana | A Pakistani television production |
| Ae Dil Apna Dard Chhupaa Kar, Geet Khushi Ke Gaaey Ja | Akhlaq Ahmed | Nisar Bazmi | Pehchan (1975 film) |
| Pyar Ki Yaad Nigahon Mein Sajai Rakhna | Salim Shehzad | Nisar Bazmi | Talash (1976 film) |

## Awards and recognition

* Nigar Award for Best Screenplay Writer for film Saiqa in 1968
* Nigar Award for Best Screenplay Writer for film Sughaat in 1970
* Nigar Award for Best Film Song Lyricist in 1970 for film Anjuman
* Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan (1997)