Sajjad Hussain (composer)
Encyclopedia
Sajjad Hussain was an Indian film score composer.
, which as at that time, a village in the Central India Agency
. As a child, he was taught sitar
by his father Mohammed Amir Khan. He learnt veena
, violin
, flute
and piano
during his teenager years. He was also an accomplished mandolin
player, and could play Indian classical music
on the instrument.
In 1937, Sajjad Hussain decided to try his luck as a film score composer, and came to Bombay with his elder brother Nissar Hussain. His first job was at Sohrab Modi
's Minerva Movietone at Rs. 30 a month. He later moved to the Wadia Movietone, working at Rs. 60 a month. During the next few years, he worked as an assistant to Meer Saheb and Rafiq Gaznavi, and as a contract player fro Shaukat Hussain Rizvi.
In the early 1940s, Sajjad was introduced to the composer Ali Baksh (father of the actress Meena Kumari
) by a friend. Impressed with Sajjad's mandolin skills, Ali employed him as an assistant.
Sometime later, Sajjad became an assistant to the music director Hanuman Prasad. In this capacity, he composed two songs for the film Gaali (1944): Aag Lage Saavan Mein and Ab Aaja Dil Na Lage (both sung by Nirmala Devi). The songs of Dost (1944), his first film as an independent music director, were hit. These songs included three songs sung by Noor Jehan
: Koi Prem Ka Deke Sandesa", Alam Par Alam Aur Sitam Par Sitam and Badnaam Mohabbat Kaun Kare.
Sajjad went on to work with many notable singers, including Suraiyya, Lata Mangeshkar
and Asha Bhosle
. He was regarded highly by his contemporaries, including Anil Biswas
. However, he often landed in controversies due to his short temper, outspokenness, moody behavior and perfectionist nature. He had conflicts with the lyricist D N Madhok during recording of Saiyyan (1951), and with the actor Dilip Kumar
during the recording of Sangdil (1952). He made disapproving remarks on Lata Mangeshkar
's singing, leading to differences between the two for a short period. He called Talat Mehmood as "Galat Mehmood" (Wrong Mehmood) and Kishore Kumar
as "Shor Kumar" (Noisy Kumar), and also criticized Naushad's music. He rejected an offer by Shashadhar Mukherjee of Filmistan
, and lost Mughal-e-Azam
(1960) due to differences with K. Asif
. As a result of his controversial behavior, Sajjad got less than 20 film score assignments in his 34-year long music career. His last film as a composer was Aakhri Sajda (1977), although he participated in concerts till the 1980s.
Sajjad Hussain lived in the Natalwala Building at Mahim
in the last years of his life. He had five sons and one daughter. All five of his sons (Mustafa, Yusuf, Noor Mohammad, Nasir Ahmmad and Abdul Karim) went on to become musicians.
A nearly 15-minute mandolin composition by Sajjad was used in the Telugu
movie Muthyala Muggu
.
Biography
Sajjad Hussain was born in 1917 in the SitamauSitamau
Sitamau is a town and a nagar panchayat in Mandsaur district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is in the Mandsaur district of Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh.It was the seat of the princely Sitamau State....
, which as at that time, a village in the Central India Agency
Central India Agency
The Central India Agency was a political office of the British Indian Empire, which covered the northern half of present-day Madhya Pradesh state. The Central India Agency was made up entirely of princely states, which were under native rulers...
. As a child, he was taught sitar
Sitar
The 'Tablaman' is a plucked stringed instrument predominantly used in Hindustani classical music, where it has been ubiquitous since the Middle Ages...
by his father Mohammed Amir Khan. He learnt veena
Veena
Veena may refer to one of several Indian plucked instruments:With frets*Rudra veena, plucked string instrument used in Hindustani music*Saraswati veena, plucked string instrument used in Carnatic musicFretless...
, violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
, flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
and piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
during his teenager years. He was also an accomplished mandolin
Mandolin
A mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
player, and could play Indian classical music
Indian classical music
The origins of Indian classical music can be found in the Vedas, which are the oldest scriptures in the Hindu tradition. Indian classical music has also been significantly influenced by, or syncretised with, Indian folk music and Persian music. The Samaveda, one of the four Vedas, describes music...
on the instrument.
In 1937, Sajjad Hussain decided to try his luck as a film score composer, and came to Bombay with his elder brother Nissar Hussain. His first job was at Sohrab Modi
Sohrab Modi
Sohrab Modi was an Indian Parsi stage and film actor, director and producer. His films include Khoon Ka Khoon , a version of Shakespeare's Hamlet, Sikandar, Pukar, Prithvi Vallabh, Jhansi ki Rani, Mirza Ghalib, and Nausherwan-e-dil . His films always carried a message of strong commitment to...
's Minerva Movietone at Rs. 30 a month. He later moved to the Wadia Movietone, working at Rs. 60 a month. During the next few years, he worked as an assistant to Meer Saheb and Rafiq Gaznavi, and as a contract player fro Shaukat Hussain Rizvi.
In the early 1940s, Sajjad was introduced to the composer Ali Baksh (father of the actress Meena Kumari
Meena Kumari
Meena Kumari , born Mahjabeen Bano, was an Indian movie actress and poetess. She is regarded as one of the most prominent actresses to have appeared on the screens of Hindi Cinema...
) by a friend. Impressed with Sajjad's mandolin skills, Ali employed him as an assistant.
Sometime later, Sajjad became an assistant to the music director Hanuman Prasad. In this capacity, he composed two songs for the film Gaali (1944): Aag Lage Saavan Mein and Ab Aaja Dil Na Lage (both sung by Nirmala Devi). The songs of Dost (1944), his first film as an independent music director, were hit. These songs included three songs sung by Noor Jehan
Noor Jehan
Noorjehan or Noorjehan was the adopted stage name for Allah Wasai who was a legendary singer and actress in British India and Pakistan. Her career spanned seven decades...
: Koi Prem Ka Deke Sandesa", Alam Par Alam Aur Sitam Par Sitam and Badnaam Mohabbat Kaun Kare.
Sajjad went on to work with many notable singers, including Suraiyya, Lata Mangeshkar
Lata Mangeshkar
Lata Mangeshkar is a singer from India. She is one of the best-known and most respected playback singers in India. Mangeshkar's career started in 1942 and has spanned over six and a half decades. She has recorded songs for over a thousand Hindi films and has sung songs in over thirty-six regional...
and Asha Bhosle
Asha Bhosle
Asha Bhosle is an Indian singer. She is one of the best-known and most highly-regarded Hindi playback singers in India, although she has a wider repertoire. Bhosle's career started in 1943 and has spanned over six decades. She has done playback singing for over a thousand Bollywood movies...
. He was regarded highly by his contemporaries, including Anil Biswas
Anil Biswas (composer)
Anil Biswas was a famous Indian film music composer from 1935 to 1965, who apart from being one of pioneers of playback singing, is also credited for the first Indian orchestra of twelve pieces and introducing orchestral music and full-blooded choral effects, into Indian cinema...
. However, he often landed in controversies due to his short temper, outspokenness, moody behavior and perfectionist nature. He had conflicts with the lyricist D N Madhok during recording of Saiyyan (1951), and with the actor Dilip Kumar
Dilip Kumar
Dilip Kumar , is an Indian actor and a former Member of Parliament.He lives in Pali Hill, Bandra in Mumbai, India. He is commonly known as "Tragedy King",and is described as "the ultimate method actor" by Satyajit Ray....
during the recording of Sangdil (1952). He made disapproving remarks on Lata Mangeshkar
Lata Mangeshkar
Lata Mangeshkar is a singer from India. She is one of the best-known and most respected playback singers in India. Mangeshkar's career started in 1942 and has spanned over six and a half decades. She has recorded songs for over a thousand Hindi films and has sung songs in over thirty-six regional...
's singing, leading to differences between the two for a short period. He called Talat Mehmood as "Galat Mehmood" (Wrong Mehmood) and Kishore Kumar
Kishore Kumar
Kishore Kumar , born Abhas Kumar Ganguly, was an Indian film playback singer and an actor who also worked as lyricist, composer, producer, director, screenwriter and scriptwriter.Kishore Kumar was one of India's greatest performers of the late 20th century...
as "Shor Kumar" (Noisy Kumar), and also criticized Naushad's music. He rejected an offer by Shashadhar Mukherjee of Filmistan
Filmistan
Filmistan was a film production company and film studio of Indian film industry from Goregaon, Mumbai. It is located very near to Patkar College on SV road spread over seven acres. Many students have claimed to see superstars in the studio. Patkar College's reputation has increased due to this...
, and lost Mughal-e-Azam
Mughal-e-Azam
Mughal-E-Azam is a 1960 Indian historical epic film produced under the banner of Sterling Investment Corporation Pvt Ltd, and directed by K. Asif. With its unmatched production, K. Asif's magnum opus took nine years and $3 million to complete this movie. This was when a typical Bollywood film...
(1960) due to differences with K. Asif
K. Asif
K. Asif was a film director, film producer and screenwriter who was famous for his work for the Hindi epic motion picture, Mughal-e-Azam .-Early life:...
. As a result of his controversial behavior, Sajjad got less than 20 film score assignments in his 34-year long music career. His last film as a composer was Aakhri Sajda (1977), although he participated in concerts till the 1980s.
Sajjad Hussain lived in the Natalwala Building at Mahim
Mahim
Mahim is a neighbourhood in Mumbai. It is also the name of a railway station in Mahim area, on the Mumbai suburban railway on the Western Railway railway line. In ancient times, the area was known as Maijim, Mejambu, Mahikawati....
in the last years of his life. He had five sons and one daughter. All five of his sons (Mustafa, Yusuf, Noor Mohammad, Nasir Ahmmad and Abdul Karim) went on to become musicians.
Filmography
- Gaali (1944)
- Dost (1944)
- 1857 (1945)
- 1857 (1946)
- Tilasmi Duniya (1946)
- Kasam (1947)
- Mere Bhagwan (1947)
- Rooplekha (1949)
- Khel (1950)
- Magroor (1950)
- Hulchal (1951)
- Saiyyan (1951)
- SangdilSangdil (1952 film)Sangdil is a 1952 film directed by R. C Talwar. The film is an adaptation of the Charlotte Brontë classic Jane Eyre. The film stars Dilip Kumar, Madhubala, Dara Singh and Leela Chitnis. The film's music is by Sajjad Hussain.- Cast :...
(1952) - Rukhsana (1955)
- Rustam Sohraab (1963)
- Mera Shikaar (1973)
- Aakhri Sajda (1977)
A nearly 15-minute mandolin composition by Sajjad was used in the Telugu
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
movie Muthyala Muggu
Muthyala Muggu
Muthyala Muggu is a 1975 film adaption of Uttara Ramayana from the writer-director duo of Ramana and Bapu. The film stars Sreedhar, Sangeetha, Rao Gopal Rao, Mukkamala, Allu Ramalingaiah and Nutan Prasad. The movie introduced Sangeetha and Rao to the Telugu screen...
.