THIS is with reference to the letter ‘immortal songs’ (June 14), which talked of one-song wonders in response to my earlier letter (June 9) and lamented that I had missed mentioning a solo by singer Sharafat Ali and a duet that he had sung with Kausar Perveen for the 1957 super-hit musical Waada.
The list of such songs is long and, hence, for brevity, I had just mentioned that “there are several other similar examples”. Incidentally, in a letter (March 2, 2020), I had narrated the background and offered critique of Sharafat Ali’s these two very songs in detail.
In view of the foregoing, I am making another attempt at recalling the ‘one song’ that had made their singers popular and ensured for them a space in the history of subcontinental music.
Actor Zareef, the elder brother of famous comedian of Punjabi films Munawwar Zareef, sang Ahmad Rahi’s lyrics Buray Naseeb Meray, Vary Hoya Pyar Mera for the 1958 Punjabi film Choomantar. Although Zareef was not a regular singer, the song gained instant popularity. But the magic could not be reproduced beyond that lone song.
And, who will ever forget Gulbahar Bano’s ghazal of Mohsin Bhopali Chahat Mein Kya Duniya Dari, Ishq Mein Kaisi Majboori that she sung in raag darbari?
While acknowledging that the number of such songs is unlimited, I believe that S.B. John’s song has lived up to its words, Tu Jo Nahin Hai Tou Kuchh Bhi Nahin Hai.
Parvez Rahim
Karachi
TANKER MAFIA: Despite being a key academic hub in the province, Jamshoro continues to be deprived of regular water supply. People have to rely on water tankers for their needs. This provides the mafia an opportunity to sell a water tanker for as high as Rs3,000. University students living in private hostels are the worst affected as respective managements increase the rent to have this additional monthly expenditure adjusted. The government should ensure adequate supply of water to Jamshoro.
Syed Abdul Majeed
Jamshoro
ILLEGAL TRADE: Smuggled brands cost the national economy millions of rupees that can otherwise be used for socio-economic development. Yet, it does not deter the consumers from buying them. An average person hardly thinks about where does such stuff come from and how many laws are broken during the supply chain. The government should launch a crackdown against the culprits.
Fawad Khan
Karachi
A DANGEROUS JUNKYARD: A vacant residential plot (No.109) in the third street of DHA Phase VI, Karachi, has been turned into a junkyard by a builder who has dumped a large quantity of wood along with other construction material there. This scrapyard has now become a potential threat for the residents, as a cigarette butt or a matchstick can ignite the wood that can engulf the neighbouring houses. The relevant authorities are requested to remove this sprawling dump without delay.
Name withheld on request
Karachi
PEOPLE’S WOES: The people have been living amid poverty, illiteracy and unemployment since years. Civilian institutions, donor agencies and private organisations stifle the internal voices and stop people from using their platforms to raise critical issues. In Sindh, decreasing supply of water, poor infrastructure development and corrupt bureaucracy add to the woes of the poor and the marginalised.
Eqbal Said
Karachi
Published in Dawn, June 21st, 2021