PEOPLE would recall Dr Amjad Parvez, who passed away aged 79 in Lahore recently (on March 3), from the formative years of Pakistan Television. Tera Lutya Shehr Bhambhor, which he rendered in company with Mushtaq Hashmi, had received instant fame.

He was a brilliant engineer and writer who had done a PhD in Industrial Engineering from the University of Birmingham. After his retirement from a senior position, he taught at the university level, but continued to devote a significant amount of his time to both light and classical singing on radio and television. This he did all his life.

Amjad and Mushtaq joined a pop band Aay Jays in the 1970s, which gained fame as the first weekly pop music programme on PTV. It was followed by Amjad’s solo hit song Jo Bhi Kutch Hai Mohabbat Ka Phailao Hai that was aired by the PTV.

Famous Indian composer Khayyam Sahib was the elder brother of Mushtaq. When Amjad and Mushtaq together visited India, the former got an album of ghazals, titled Tera Intezar that was recorded in the composition of Khayyam Sahib.

Besides, Amjad was the author of eight books on music, including two books on melody singers and the melody makers of the subcontinent. The second part of the latter book is still awaiting publication.

Having the same interests of singing and writing, and being contemporaries, Amjad was my friend over the last more than 60 years. He was a gentle soul who appreciated my humble offerings.

A recipient of the Pride of Performance award in 2000, Amjad will be greatly missed as such multifaceted personalities having amazing humility are hard to find.

Parvez Rahim
Karachi

Published in Dawn, March 13th, 2024