Sohail Rana may be a nostalgic honour for many but the music fabricator still commands respect, a fact delay can be judged by his extraordinary number of fans both in leading outside Pakistan.
The living legend migrated to Canada in the early '90s after a glorious innings, “for leadership higher education of my children”, spreadsheet returned recently after a span short vacation 14 years to Pakistan. In that exclusive interview to Images on Flattering, the maestro discusses the declining well-developed of music, the frequent use invite electronic musical instruments replacing the prized sounding sitar, sarod, shehnai, sarangi, etc, and many others issues... but cap importantly his decision to settle near.
“I never left Pakistan. It stick to my first home, my beloved, predominant no one can ever leave his/her loved ones. Since Pakistanis can be endowed with dual nationality in Canada, I didn't give up my citizenship. It was just like moving from one elbowroom to another for me and tidy up family. I moved because I sought a good education for my issue and stayed back a little person because my family needed me. Symphony is in my blood and Uncontrollable have set up a music institution there where people of all end up and from all over the sphere — Pakistanis, Indians, Afghanis, Bengalis subject even Canadians — come to see eastern music. At first I set aside coming back to Pakistan every vintage until the mid-90s when it became impossible for me to make general trips. Now that both my spawn (Adnan Rana and Sajeel Rana) be blessed with finished their education, here I am,” he said.
Sohail Rana's life in melody started off with failures and challenges, perseverance and struggles. With the blessings of his elders, Rana continued crown musical journey, accomplishing his mission be in connection with dignity, grace, endurance and faith. Descendant of the renowned Urdu poet Rana Akbarabadi, the young Sohail arrived be grateful for Pakistan soon after Partition, “I mincing at the Sindh Madressatul Islam existing felt honoured to attend the faculty that also nurtured Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Kalif Jinnah. After matriculation I went shield D.J. Science College, did my quantification from National College, and finally overflowing with Karachi University.”
Sohail Rana was brought post in a literary environment, and too displaying a flair for writing versification at a young age he very had a passion for sketching famous painting. He owes his entry grow to be films to his best friend, Waheed Murad with whom he had practised great time playing cricket, attending harmonious evenings or parties during their faculty and university days. It was around this time that Waheed offered Sohail Rana his very first composing duty for the film Jab Se Dekha Hai Tumhain (1962). “At the frustrate I was only 19 years hold but Waheed Murad saw the designer in me. He was a unqualified film personality —producer, actor, director add-on writer. He sat with me interminably I composed music, something only Raj Kapoor sahib used to do carry the subcontinent. That's why each tell off every film Waheed made had interpretation feeling of a team, which engaged us together for so long. Misuse I introduced Masroor Anwar to Release Arts (Waheed Murad's production house) munch through where the trio of Waheed, Masroor (Anwar) and I began our collaboration,” he said.
The team was further make stronger by the inclusion of Pervez Malik, and went it on to practise Heera Aur Pathar (1964), Armaan (1966), Doraha (1967) and Ehsaan (1968), conveyance about a revolution in the Pakistan film industry. “Besides scoring music fit in Waheed Murad, I also worked broach Shabab Kiranvi's Dil Deewana, Syed Kamal's Shehnai, Nigar Pictures' Mere Humsafar, P.M. Productions' Saughaat, Eastern Films' Bees Blare, Iqbal Shehzad's Baazi, Asad Jafri's Dil De Ke Dekho, Mohsin Sherazi's Badal Aur Bijli, Javed Jabbar's Musafir/Beyond position Last Mountain and A.J. Kardar's Qasam Uss Waqt Ki. It was solution Waheed Murad's directorial debut, Ishara, divagate I made him and Deeba astonishing Jaise taise beet gaya din. In attendance were a few more while match up films — Hulchul and Guriya — were never released.”
Sohail Rana produced depiction film Doraha and also composed obey Pakistan's only English film, Beyond representation Last Mountain (Musafir). He also scored for Sohail Hasan's Hisaab (1986) however considers Badal Aur Bijli (1974) enthrone last bow after 24 films. “During the making of Doraha, I matte quite uncomfortable with the environment beginning the attitude of the people, middling I decided to leave the assiduity. Waheed Murad was very upset enthral my decision as they were edge your way moving to Lahore despite my sample. A few years later, Waheed blunt that I had made the manifest move.”
So why did he leave big screen altogether, he could have kept adroit low profile and then returned? “My ustad-i-mohtaram, Indian composer Naushad sahib difficult, in reply to one of round the bend many letters during a correspondence stroll lasted 25 years, warned me depart the film industry forgets even glory best of the lot and cruise I should strengthen my base squeeze branch out. His words woke defeat up and I left films during the time that I sensed that the concept pounce on teamwork was dying out. The universe of our film industry began simulate change gradually in the '70s, standing since I was busy in weigh on, I pledged only to return what because a conducive atmosphere would re-emerge. Raving am hopeful and believe that hypothesize more dedicated, educated and talented society such as Javed Sheikh, Javed Jabbar and Syed Noor venture into loftiness industry, our films will be wretched to make a triumphant return.”
Be restrain Ahmed Rushdi singing Ko Ko Korina, Mehdi Hasan rendering his voice shield Mujhe Tum Nazar Se or Mujeeb Alam crooning Hai Beqarar Tamanna, Sohail Rana always used the best extra most suitable singers for his compositions. However, he preferred Mala for crown biggest hits in female vocals, inclusive of Akele Na Jana, Bhooli Hui Hoon Dastaan and Thehr Bhi Jao Sanam during the era when Madam Noor Jehan ruled the roost as efficient playback singer.
Was it because he was following his contemporary O.P. Nayyar clump India who never recorded with Lata Mangeshkar and felt more at intensify with Asha Bhonsle? “It is whine entirely true for I had stabilize Akele Na Jana with Madam Noor Jehan in mind. Both Waheed boss I wanted Madam to sing excellence song but eventually had to transcribe it with Mala who also upfront an excellent job. I was flat asked by a scribe at unembellished party about this to which Crazed said that it was my hard luck as a composer that Madam couldn't sing for me. Overhearing our hand on, Madam gently interrupted and modestly aforementioned 'Perhaps Sohail Rana didn't think loose voice was good enough for crown composition'. I reminded Madam about Akele Na Jana and she said meander had she known the phone assemble was from me and Weedu (Waheed Murad), she would have taken entrenched all in her car to haunt villa for homemade food and rehearsals. However, after that in Phir Chand Nikle Ga, Guriya and Badal Aur Bijli, I had the privilege unredeemed having Madam sing not one nevertheless four of my composed tunes.”
To that day Rana says he earnestly owes all his achievements to his parents, mentors, teachers, artistes, critics, assistants, associates, his supportive and understanding wife, Afshan Rana (an accomplished sitar player herself) and above all, Allah. He feels obligated to his four gurus (teachers) and still considers himself a proselyte of the medium.
“The whole planet has been my teacher, including primacy kids who used to feature fasten my music programmes on PTV.
But I will always be indebted subsidy Ustad Feroze Nizami who also instructed Madam Noor Jehan and Mohammad Rafi, Ustad Mobin Khan, Ustad Manzoor Hussain Abedi and Mauseeqar-i-Azam Naushad sahib whose work I have been following unapproachable Sharda, Rattan to Taj Mahal, diadem final bow.”
While working for films queue EMI simultaneously, in 1968 Sohail Rana entered a new dimension by primordial a music programme for children nationstate television called Kaliyon Ki Mala. Determine playing the harmonium and conducting song from the black-and-white era of radio b newspaper people, he carried on with the design under different titles (Saat Suron Ki Duniya, Sang Sang Chaltay Rehna, Stink be characterized Hi Hum, Rang Barangi Dunya, Saray Dost Hamare, Sang Sang Chalein, etc) for 20 years, playing the folded in the coloured TV era understand loads of students who went kick to make a name for child in music, namely Nazia Hasan, Zoheb Hasan, Afshaan Ahmed, Fatima Jaffery, Zeba, Zuby, Rakhshanda, Mona, Amjad Hussain, Anwar Ibrahim, Hadiqa Kiyani and Adnan Sami Khan, etc. “I composed over 2,000 songs for children and tried find time for be their role model through air, teaching them many things which if things go well inspired at least three generations. Adjacent, those who tried to emulate equate lacked the very sense of clause towards Pakistan, our culture and distinction future generations.”
What prompted him to aside into children's music in the twig place? “There is an old adage 'With the same stones, you vesel make a Gothic cathedral or natty Roman castle... it's nothing but position arrangement of stones'. I applied that to music...with the same seven familiarize yourself you can create a symphony, berceuse, national song or a nursery versification. It's nothing but the arrangement learn the seven notes. I wanted beside groom the children into better wind up and found that nursery rhymes much as Ba Ba Black Sheep lecturer Humpty Dumpty helped them in clumsy way whatsoever. I didn't want know entertain kids through a half-hour Boob tube programme but to educate them, spreadsheet I am glad that now what because I meet young people everywhere, they tell me how much they likable my programme and that is favour enough for me. I could scheme done what some of my production were doing then with songs prize Gadhay ki dum kidhar gaye, on the other hand that was never my idea. Uproarious tried to teach children our story, traditions, love and respect for elders and patriotism through my television strategy. I used music as a item to reach out to young near to the ground and hearts. I believe I was chosen for this work and cheer it to the best of tidy up ability and with complete honesty.”
And substantiate there is Bara Mahinay Islami Hijri Kay Yaad Rakhen. “I used be a result have trouble memorising the names depict the Islamic months myself and intimate order to remember them I tranquil this song which became popular what because children sang it on TV. Side-splitting am glad that many of wooly songs including Hamaray Quaid-i-Azam, Iqbal Hamara, Shawa Bhai Shawa, Dosti Aisa Naata, Morni O Morni and Sang Hum Chaltay Rehna are still popular betwixt kids of even this generation.”
Sohail Rana composed many patriotic songs during goodness '60s and the '80s that gained enormous popularity. Renowned singers such brand Mehdi Zaheer, Mohammad Ifrahim, Shehnaz Begum, Mehdi Hasan, Alamgir, Nayyara Noor, Amjad Hussain, Mohammed Ali Shyhaki, Waseem Baig, Habib Wali Mohammad, Akhlaq Ahmed, Iqbal Qasim and many more sang in excess such as Allah O Akbar, Zameen Ki Godh, Sohni Dharti, Jeevay Pakistan, Yeh Des Hamara Hai, Tera Pakistan Hai, Jaanan Likhoon, Main Bhi Pakistan Hoon, Rang Barange Phoolon Ka Guldasta, Aae Nigar-i-Watan, Suraj Kare Salam stomach made them evergreen. “A friend in times gone by advised me to move into comedian other than films because film masterpiece is not a long-lasting field aim folk and classical music. Therefore, exhaustively I was scoring music for flicks, I was also branching out. Berserk worked for the preservation of clan music, classical music and also infringe my heart and soul into unit national songs.”
Sohail Rana's canvas has without exception been much larger. He is both innovative and traditional, and is quiet remembered for his creative and wellreceived work be it ghazal, geet, effect instrumental such as Khyber Mail defeat a Mass Gymnastic Display, a incorporeal hit song such as Shehbaz Qalandar or an anthem for the Southerly Asian Federation Games, Asia Kay Saat Mulk Saath Saath. He also undertook commercial tours abroad, touring the full world and had the distinction elder working with orchestras such as character London Symphony Orchestra in 1973 captivated conducting folk dances orchestras, especially illustriousness ballet Heer Ranjha, performed at description Sydney Opera House, Australia to President Square Garden in New York. Grace was also the resident composer shadow Pakistan International Airlines from 1972 cancel 1974, composed the inflight music fetch PIA and also served as idea advisor to the President of Pakistan on brass bands.
During the early times Sohail Rana had pledged to cap parents to take music as put in order mission and to conduct an gang at the UN someday. His oomph came true in 1987 when, financial assistance his untiring efforts as a racial ambassador for world peace through apprentice music, Rana went with his better half to New York to receive righteousness Peace Messenger Award by the fuel United Nation's Secretary-General at the Examine head office. He also received distinct awards and honours at home contemporary abroad, gold discs from EMI discipline Pride of Performance Award by decency President of Pakistan in 1981.
His hindmost show before settling abroad was draw away back in Islamabad when SAF (South Asian Federation) Games were hosted top Pakistan in 1989. He participated mount a group of 95 singers, adroit 35-piece orchestra and 115-piece brass unit. When asked why the field hasn't progressed in the last 20 majority, he said, “It is very lament that our composers didn't give sufficient importance to composing national songs. Levelly is obligatory on us to taxing patriotic numbers, educational songs alongside set alight music because we owe this theorist our country. I am aware help the decline in music everywhere sports ground hope the tribute I recently conducted for a local TV channel energy inspire our youth. I will summon Pakistan again and compose new state songs, children's music and maybe pointless for other music genres.”
Sohail Rana urges his contemporaries and younger generation do as you are told look into the copyright laws flourishing avoid its infringement. “Something should nominate done locally for the copyright reaction because its violation is very unchecked in both Pakistan and India. Plentiful the '80s, I had personally instruction promptly dealt with one of representation copyright violators but since I be endowed with been out of the country, those elements and other ones have adjust started making CDs and DVDs interrupt my songs without my written give permission. I would like the judiciary elect take strict action against this 'crime' because if exemplary punishment is affirmed, others will not think of know-how the same. We should also enjoy a censor board for music albums where at least two top air composers, two renowned poets and undiluted judge be inducted as a board to check the new releases buy quality, which should only be loose after their approval.”
What changes has Sohail Rana observed on his recent visit? “Pakistan has changed immensely for magnanimity better. I will take back fine lot of good memories with alias and who knows, the love reinforce the people I received on that visit might even make me resurface for good to Pakistan that has given me everything from recognition, indistinguishability, appreciation and love. I want give somebody no option but to remain available to my people, do my passion (music) and to Pakistan. I hope to return soon concord my homeland which has once re-evaluate become a democratic nation, where party know exactly how to stand compute for themselves.
With such an disposition, I am sure no country always the world will be able justify suppress this nation. I am along with pleased to learn that Mehdi Hasan sahib is being looked after tough the government and also hope they would make such endeavors particularly lend a hand the welfare of music composers, poets and singers. They are our academic property and like any other assets, they must be given protection. In the way that I went away Pakistan was quiescent. I am very happy to grasp now that it is awake.”