M. Ashraf or Muhammad Ashraf (1 February 1942 – 4 February 2007) was a Pakistani film composer. In the early 1960s, he first started as one member of the ''music directors duo'' of ''Manzoor - Ashraf'' in the

Pakistan film industry Cinema of Pakistan, popularly known as Lollywood ( ur, ), refers to the filmmaking industry in Pakistan. Pakistan is home to several film studios centres, primarily located in its three largest cities – Karachi, Lahore, and Faisalabad. ...

. By the end of his 45 years long career, he had composed more than 2,000 film songs for over 400 films compared to many other music directors in Pakistan.Profile of M Ashraf on Pakistan Film Magazine website
Retrieved 6 June 2021

Early life and career

M. Ashraf got music lessons from his 'Nana' ( maternal grandfather who also happened to be a 'Mamu' (uncle) of veteran Pakistani music director

Master Inayat Hussain Master Inayat Hussain (Punjabi, ur, ; 1916 – 26 March 1993) was a Pakistani film music composer. Early life and career Inayat Hussain was born in the Bhati Gate area of Lahore in 1916.Urdu Urdu (;"Urdu"
''

S. B. John. Film ''Saperan'' (1961) was another hit film and the song ''Chand Sa Mukhra Gora Badan'' was another super-hit film song which gained singer

Ahmed Rushdi ), Rushdi Sahab ( ur, ) , birth_date = , birth_place =Hyderabad Deccan, British India , death_date = , death_place = Karachi, Pakistan , origin = Pakistani , instrument = Vocalist , genre = , ...

his first

Nigar Award The Nigar Awards ( ur, , translit=Inʿām Negār, lit=Picture Awards) were presented in an annual award show to recognize outstanding achievement in Pakistani cinema. The honors are awarded by Nigar Magazine founded in 1948. The Nigar Awards a ...

. This way two-music-directors-team was created that went by the name ''Manzoor – Ashraf''. Both musicians worked with each other from 1956 to 1967 and then ''M. Ashraf'' decided to go solo in 1967 with film ''Sajda (1967)''.Eminent music director M Ashraf remembered on his 13th death anniversary
Daily Times (newspaper), Published 5 February 2020, Retrieved 6 June 2021 ''Manzoor Ashraf'' duo or team had musicians ''Master Manzoor'' and ''Muhammad Ashraf'' in it. Together, they composed music in 26 films in the 1960s. After separation from music director Master Manzoor, his first film as M Ashraf alone was

Sajda Sajda is a Ghazal album released by HMV and jointly collaborated by Jagjit Singh and Lata Mangeshkar. This album was released in 1991 shortly after the demise of Jagjit Singh's son Vivek. This album was released as a double album consisting of 16 ...

in 1967. In the 1970s, he reached the peak of his film career and composed music for many big hit films. He continued his successful march in the 1980s despite the downfall of

Urdu Urdu (;"Urdu"
''

Punjabi Punjabi, or Panjabi, most often refers to: * Something of, from, or related to Punjab, a region in India and Pakistan * Punjabi language * Punjabi people * Punjabi dialects and languages Punjabi may also refer to: * Punjabi (horse), a British Th ...

films. "M. Ashraf's musical journey ended with ''Tere Bin Jiya Na Jaye'' (2005).

Playback singers introduced by him

Famous folk singer

Shaukat Ali Shaukat Ali, also known as Shaukat Ali Khan, (3 May 1944 – 2 April 2021) was a Pakistani folk singer. Early life and career Born on 3 May 1944, into a family of artists in Malakwal, a town in District Gujrat (now falls in new District Mandi ...

was introduced in film director Haidar Chodhary's inaugural super-hit musical film ''Tees Mar Khan'' in 1963.

Naheed Akhtar Naheed Akhtar (also spelled Nahid Akhtar) is a Pakistani playback singer. She is tagged as the "''Nightingale of Pakistan''". She was the top Lollywood playback singer during the second half of 70s and 80s. She won 3 Nigar Awards and a Pride o ...

was introduced by him in film ''Nanha Farisha'' in 1974 with the song: "Janey kyun dil tarapta rehta hay, Aao jee addi tappa gaen".

Nayyara Noor Nayyara Noor (; 3 November 1950 – 20 August 2022) was a Pakistani playback singer, considered one of Pakistan's most popular singers. She was known for performing in live ghazal singing concerts in Pakistani TV shows and in concert halls arou ...

actually had her first appearance in Punjabi film

Ziddi (1973 film) ''Ziddi'' (1973) is a Pakistani ( ur, ) film in the Punjabi language, released on January 16, 1973. The cast included Yousuf Khan, Nabeela and Firdous. It is considered a hit movie of 1973 that won 6 Nigar Awards. Cast * Yousuf Khan * Fird ...

but her first super-hit song was composed by M Ashraf. ''Rajab Ali'' appeared in his film ''Yadein'' in 1971 with a popular duet song with

Noor Jehan Noor Jehan ( Punjabi: ) (born () Allah Rakhi Wasai ; 23 September 1926 – 23 December 2000; sometimes spelled Noorjehan),Ashish Rajadhyaksha and Paul Willemen, ''Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema,'' British Film Institute, Oxford University Pres ...

Asad Amanat Ali Khan Asad Amanat Ali Khan ( ur, ; ; 25 September 1955 – 8 April 2007) was a Pakistani classical vocalist and ''ghazal'' singer belonging to the Patiala Gharana tradition of music. In a career spanning 32 years, Khan sang over 1,000 songs for P ...

was introduced by M. Ashraf in film ''Saheli (1978)''. M Ashraf set new records in Pakistan (recorded thousands of film songs) working mainly with 5 major film playback singers of his time, namely with

Mehdi Hassan Mehdi Hassan Khan ( ur, مہدی حسن خاں , translit=) 18 July 1927 – 13 June 2012) was a Pakistani ghazal singer and playback singer for Lollywood. Widely considered one of the greatest and most influential figures in the history of gh ...

Masood Rana Masood Rana ( ur, , 6 August 1941 – 4 October 1995) was a Pakistani film playback singer. He began his singing career in 1962 with the film ''Inqalab'', became one of the top male singers in both Urdu and Punjabi films for more than th ...

, and

while also introducing new talent such as Ghulam Abbas, A. Nayyar, Alamgir,

Mohammed Ali Shehki Mohammed Ali Shehki is a Persian-Pakistani pop singer. Shehki entered the music scene in the 1970s with his originally composed and written songs, with a touch of Persian music. He later earned a name for himself in Pakistani pop music and as a p ...

, Rajab Ali, Anwar Rafi and many other upcoming new artists of that era to the broader audience of movies and pop radio airplays.

Some of his hit songs

* "Tu Jo Nahin Hai,Tau Kuchh Bhi Nahin Hai" Sung by S. B. John, lyrics by

Fayyaz Hashmi Fayyaz Hashmi ( ur, ; 1920 2011) was a Pakistani poet and screenwriter who worked both in the Cinema of India, Indian and Cinema of Pakistan, Pakistani film industry. He penned some memorable songs such as the famous nazm Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na ...

, film ''Savera (1959)'' * "Chand Sa Mukhra Gora Badan, Jal Mein Lagaey Meethi Aggan" Sung by

, lyrics by

Shabab Kiranwi Shabab Kiranwi (born Nazir Ahmed; 1925 5 November 1982) was a Pakistani film director, producer, and occasional screenwriter, lyricist and a novelist. He debuted in the Pakistani film industry as a producer and lyricist with ''Jalwa'' (1955) wh ...

, film ''Saperan (1961)''Filmography of M. Ashraf on Pakistan Film Magazine website
Retrieved 22 December 2021 * "Gole Gappay Wala Aaya, Gole Gappay Laaya" Sung by

, lyrics by ''Hazeen Qadri'', film ''Mehtab (1962)'' * "Tum Hi Ho Mahboob Meray, Mein Kyuun Na Tumhein Pyaar Karoon" Sung by

, lyrics by

Khawaja Pervez Khawaja Pervez ( ur, ), (28 December 1930 – 20 June 2011) was a prominent Pakistani film composer- lyricist and film songwriter for both Urdu and Punjabi language films. His real name was Khawaja Ghulam Mohiuddin. His professional caree ...

, film ''Aina (1966)'' * "Saamne Aake Tujh Ko Pukara Nahin, Teri Ruswai Mujhko Gawara Nahin" Sung by Mehdi Hassan, lyrics by

, film ''Dard'' (1968) * "O' Mera Babu Chhaill Chhabeela Mein Tau Naachoon Gi" Sung by

Runa Laila Runa Laila ( bn, রুনা লায়লা, ur, ; born 17 November 1952) is a Bangladeshi playback singer and composer. She started her career in Pakistan film industry in the late 1960s. Her style of singing is inspired by Pakistani p ...

, lyrics by ''Taslim Fazli'', film ''Munn Ki Jeet (1972)'' * "Do Pattar Anaran De" Sung by

, lyrics by Khawaja Pervez, film ''Do Pattar Anaran De'' (1972) * "Tera Saaya Jahan Bhi Ho Sajana Palkain Bichhaoon" Sung by

, lyrics by

Kaleem Usmani Kaleem Usmani (born Ehtisham Ilahi; 28 February 1928 28 August 2000) was a Pakistani Urdu poet who wrote ghazals, naats, patriotic songs and more than one hundred songs for thirty-seven Urdu films. However, he earned recognition as a lyricis ...

, film ''Gharana (1973)'' * "Hamaray Dil Se Mat Khailo Khilona Toot Jaaye Ga" Sung by

, lyrics by ''Taslim Fazli'', film ''Daman Aur Chingari'' (1973) * "Meray Shauq Da Nahin Aetbar Teinun" Sung by Ghulam Ali, lyrics by

Ghulam Mustafa Tabassum Ghulam Mustafa Tabassum ( pnb, , ur, ), (4 August 1899 – 7 Feb 1978) was a 20th-century poet. His pen name was Tabassum ( ur, ). He is best known for his many poems written for children, as the creator of the ''Tot Batot'' characte ...

, film ''Eik Thi Larki'' (1973) * "Tujhe Pyar Karte Karte Meri Umar Beet Jaaye" Sung by

, lyrics by ''Taslim Fazli'', film

Mera Naam Hai Mohabbat ''Mere Naam Hai Mohabaat'' ( ur, ) is a 1975 Pakistani romantic drama film. It won the Nigar Award in 1975 for Best Film of the Year. The film was also released in China and became successful there. Babra Sharif rose to become one of the most ...

(1975) * "Iss Parcham Kay Saaey Talay Hum Eik Hain" Sung by

, lyrics by

, film ''Farz Aur Mamta'' (1975) * "Socha Tha Mein Ne Dil Nahin Doon Gi, Hai Rabba O' Dil Dena Paya" Sung by

Nahid Akhtar Naheed Akhtar (also spelled Nahid Akhtar) is a Pakistani playback singer. She is tagged as the "''Nightingale of Pakistan''". She was the top Lollywood playback singer during the second half of 70s and 80s. She won 3 Nigar Awards and a Pride o ...

, lyrics by Taslim Fazli, film ''Anari'' (1975) *"Be Iman Chahoon Tujhe Subah O Shaam" Sung by Mehdi Hassan, lyrics by

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 M ...

, film ''Jab Jab Phool Khilay'' (1975) * "Kitne din ke baad mile ho" sung by Ghulam Bass, film ''Apnay Huey Paraey'' (1976). * "Babul Tau Duaen Deta Hai" Sung by Mehdi Hassan, lyrics by Taslim Fazli, film ''Baraat'' (1978) *"Jo Dard Mila Apnaun Se Mila", Sung by

, lyrics by ''Taslim Fazli'', film

Shabana Shabana is a feminine given name. People named Shabana include: *Shabana (actress), Bangladeshi actress * Shabana (dancer), a Pakistani dancer killed by the Taliban * Shabana Akhtar, Pakistani athlete *Shabana Azmi, Indian actress *Shabana Bakhsh ...

(1976) * "Mera Laung Gawacha" Sung by

Musarrat Nazir Musarrat Nazir Khawaja ( ur, ; born 13 October 1937) is a Pakistani singer and film actress, who acted in many Urdu and Punjabi films. She, many years later, also sang solo, mostly wedding and folk songs. Early life Her parents were a Punja ...

, lyrics by

, film ''Allah Rakha'' (1987) *"Dopatta Mera Lal rang Da" (a bhangra song), Sung by

Humaira Channa Humaira Channa, also known as Humera Channa (born on 22 Jun 1970 at Lahore), is a 6 Nigar Award winning film playback singer from Pakistan. She has won 3rd most Nigar Awards in history, ranked only after Noor Jehan and Mehnaz. Early life and c ...

and

Shazia Manzoor Shazia Manzoor ( Punjabi, ur, ) is a Pakistani playback and folk singer. She is known for her song, "''Chann Meray Makhna''". Early life and career Shazia Manzoor was born in Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan. She first started singing by perfor ...

, lyrics by Saeed Gillani, film ''Munda Bigra Jaye'' (1995)

Awards and recognition

*Won 6

for 'Best Music' in 6 different films - film Gharana (1973), film

(1975), film

(1976), film Qurbani (1981), Punjabi-language films ''Dhee Rani'' (1985) and Qismet (1986). *M. Ashraf also won 14 ''Graduate Awards'' of the

Death and legacy

M Ashraf died of a cardiac arrest on 4 February 2007 in

Karachi Karachi (; ur, ; ; ) is the most populous city in Pakistan and 12th most populous city in the world, with a population of over 20 million. It is situated at the southern tip of the country along the Arabian Sea coast. It is the former cap ...

Pakistan Pakistan ( ur, ), officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ( ur, , label=none), is a country in South Asia. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of almost 24 ...

at the age of 65. "He had the distinction of working with film directors such as S. Suleman, Nazrul Islam, M. Javed Fazil,

Pervez Malik Pervez Malik (1937 in Karachi – 18 November 2008) was a Pakistani film director. He was the director of Pakistan's first platinum jubilee film, " Armaan" (1966). He directed more than 20 films, mostly in Urdu language, and received e ...

Shamim Ara Shamim Ara (22 March 1938 – 5 August 2016) was a Pakistani film actress, director and producer. She was known as ''The Tragic Beauty'' because of the tragic heroine roles she often portrayed in films. She was one of the most popular actresse ...

, Iqbal Akhtar, Jan Mohammad and Hasan Askari. And banking on his music, they all tasted success." Even during M. Ashraf's lifetime and after his death, his son, ''M. Arshad'' has "emerged as a formidable musician" with hit films to his credit such as

Bulandi (1990 film) ''Bulandi'' ( ur, ) is a 1990 Pakistani Urdu feature film, directed by Javed Fazil. Its producer is Aslam Butt, a Lollywood film starring Nadeem, Samina Peerzada, Reema Khan, Shaan. Introducing new actors Reema and Shaan in this film. Plo ...

Jeeva (1995 film) ''Jeeva'' (Urdu: ) is a 1995 Urdu Pakistani film directed by Syed Noor. The film introduced Babar Ali and Resham into Lollywood. Nadeem played the title role alongside Resham and Babar Ali. Playback singer Anwar Rafi is in this film. Folk sing ...

, Dopatta Jal Raha Hai (1998 film),

Jungle Queen (2000 film) ''Jungle Queen'' is a 2000 Pakistani film directed by Syed Noor and written by his then-wife, Rukhsana Noor. The film stars Saima (aka Saima Noor after marrying director Syed Noor in 2005) as the title character. Actress Saima plays a double r ...

Salakhain Salakhain () is a Pakistani Lollywood film which was released in 2004. Stars included Ahmed Butt, Zara Sheikh and Meera. The music was composed by M Arshad. Sajid Hassan and Saud were cast as villains with Shafi Muhammad as their boss. S ...

(2004 film). His two other sons are Nadeem Ashraf and Salman Ashraf.

References

External links

Filmography of M. Ashraf on IMDb website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ashraf, M 1942 births 2007 deaths Pakistani film score composers Nigar Award winners Pakistani composers Pakistani musicians