Today marks the anniversary of the passing of legendary music composer Master Ghulam Haider, who died on November 9, 1953, leaving behind a lasting legacy in South Asian film music.
Born in 1906 in Hyderabad, Sindh, Haider showed an early passion for music and mastered the harmonium. He moved to Lahore, joining a prominent recording company in 1932, where he trained under acclaimed musicians including Ustad Jhande Khan, Pandit Amarnath, and G.A. Chishti.
In 1933, he composed music for A.R. Kardar’s film “Sorgh Ki Seerhi”, and later for the film “Gul Bakavali”, marking the start of a prolific film career in Lahore. In 1944, he moved to Mumbai to work on several films, but returned to Pakistan after independence in 1948, composing for films such as “Beqarar,” “Akeli,” “Ghulam,” and “Gulnar.”
Haider is credited with introducing singers Shamshad Begum, Zeenat Begum, Madam Noor Jehan, and Lata Mangeshkar to the film industry. He also became the first composer to incorporate Punjabi folk tunes into film songs, creating a unique style that influenced generations of musicians.
Master Ghulam Haider passed away at the age of 47 and was laid to rest in Lahore, remembered as a trailblazer who transformed the soundscape of South Asian cinema.
