M. Ashraf started his Film career with his mate Manzoor (film Svera song tu jo nahin hay to kuchh bhi nahin hay... by S.B.John fame) in film Speran (1961) and his first song Chand sa Mukhra gora badan... was not only his first super hit song but also the first hit song of Ahmad Rushdi who was struggling since his debut in 1956.
M. Ashraf composed music with Manzoor in 28 films in the 1960's. After separation from Manzoor his first film as M. Ashraf was Sajda in 1967. In the 1970's he reached the peak of his film career and composed music for many big films. He continued his success march in the 1980s despite the downfall of Urdu films and a dominance of Punjabi films. In the 1990's he was blamed for piracy of old Pakistani and Indian songs and his answer was that to survive, it was necessary because it was a demand of film producers.
M. Ashraf got music lessons from his Nana (grand father who was Mamu (uncle) of Master Inayat Hussain). He assisted his uncle Akhtar Hussain Akhian (film Patey Khan fame) in five years. His son M. Arshad is also a well known music director and he was instructor for late musician Nazir Ali who assisted him in few films in the 1960's before becoming a top music director.
M. Ashraf passed away on February 4, 2007.
M. Ashraf introduced..
M. Ashraf introduced many famous singer in his long film career. Here are some details on some big names:
Shoukat Ali
Famous folk singer Shoukat Ali was introduced in director Haidar Chodhary's inaugural super hit musical film Tees Mar Khan in 1963. Shoukat Ali sang a theme song:
Pagri sanbhal Chora, Pagri sanbhal oye...
which was picturized on Allauddin who was solo hero in this film first time. Playboy and White Gold were some other films.
Naheed Akhtar
She was introduced by M. Ashraf in film Nanha Farisha in 1974 with the song:
Janey kyun dil tarapta rehta hay...ao jee addi tappa gaen..
which was filmed on Deeba. Naheed Akhtar sang many super hit songs in many films with M. Ashraf.
Nayyara Noor
A very sweet and melodious voice Nayyara Noor actually had her fist appearance in Punjabi film Ziddi but her first super hit song was:
Tera saya jehan bhi ho Sajna, palken bichha dun...
in film Gharana (1973). She sang many hit songs with M. Ashraf in films like Pardey mein rehne do, Rangeela aur Munawar...
Rajab Ali
He appeared in his film Yaden in 1971 with a super hit duet song with Madam Noor Jehan:
Mujh sa tujh ko chahney wala, is Duniya mein koi aur ho...
Playboy was another famous film with M. Ashraf.
Asad Amanat Ali Khan
Legendry Ghazal singer Ustad Amanat Ali Khan's son Asad Amanat Ali Khan was introduced by M. Ashraf in film Saheli (1978). His first ever film song was:
Ankhen Ghazal hayn aap ki aur hont hayn Gulab...
Abhi to main jawan hun was other film with M. Ashraf.
Anwar Rafi
His first song:
O Salma, meri tum se ek guzarish hay...
was a nice song in film Tere Ghar ke samne (1984)
Saira Naseem
She was also a big discovery by M. Ashraf in film Qatil (1988).
Some memorable film songs
(Famous film songs not mentioned in "Memorable Musical Films" on Pakistan Film History segment and not yet included in music videos from YouTube).
With Madam Noor Jehan
Ja we dil de chhadia teinu we dildar jan ke...
(film Kochwan 1969)
Ham ko jeeney ke liye, sirf mili ek hi raat...
(film Bazar 1972)
Tu milen kaddi kaddi, sabab ki a, main tere baghair reh nain..
(film Inteqam 1972)
Tu ne pehli baar liya hay, pyar se naam mera...
(film Dil ka Shehar1972)
Zara bach ke chalna, sanbhalna sanbhalna ...
(film Aina aur Surat 1972)
Main pyar nibhaun gi, aaja mere Chann Mahi...
(film Do Badan 1974)
Shama hay bujhne wali, raat hay dhalney wali...
(THANKS TO PAKISTAN FILIM MAGAZINE)
