Masheer Kazmi and Naseem Begum became eternal through “Aye Rah-e-Haq Ke Shaheedo”
The philosophy of Shahadat (Martyrdom) cannot be explained unless citing the names of the House of Muhammad (PBUH) from Ali the Lion of God to Ali Asghar, the youngest martyr of Karbala. Poet Masheer Kazmi became eternal after penning “Aye Rah-e-Haq Ke Shaheedo” while alluding the life of a martyr and his or her journey to heaven for giving life for motherland.
Aye Rah-e-Haq Ke Shaheedo is a song that can still run blood in your eyes against your enemy and you wish to lay your life for your motherland. The song was composed and sung for film Madar-e-Watan released in 1966, a year after the 1965 War to pay homage to martyrs of the 1965 War.
Listen Original Song
Written, produced and directed by Saifuddin Saif film Madr-e-Watan had Deeba, Mohammad Ali, Zeenat, Talish, Naeem Hashmi, Sheikh Iqbal, Rangeela, Rajni, and Razia in lead roles. While Mazhar Shah, Munawar Zarif, Khalifa Nazir, Albela, and Imdad Hussain appeared as guest actors.
This song is still at top-rated even in today’s cyber-world by getting top searched patriotic song.
Born in Ambala in 1915, Masheer Kazmi also known as Mashir Kazmi wrote lyrics of Aye Rah-e-Haq Ke Shaheedo while music was given by Salim Iqbal( Salim Hussain and his brother Iqbal Hussain) and vocalist was Naseem Begum. The majority of listeners believe that Aye Rah-e-Haq Ke Shaheedo was sung by Malika-e-Tarannum Noor Jehan.
Unfortunately, Naseem Begum died in a very young age so re-recording of Aye Rah-e-Haq Ke Shaheedo was done by Noor Jehan.
Naseem Begum at very young age won the prestigious Nigar Award on five separate occasions, she was ruling music industry of Pakistan along with Noor Jehan during 50s and 60s.
Naseem Begum was born in the city of Amritsar, British India, in 1936 and got musical training from the classical singer Mukhtar Begum, the elder sister of the renowned ghazal vocalist Farida Khanum.
Her first film, as a playback singer, was music director Ghulam Ahmed Chishti composed Guddi Gudda in 1956. In 1958, the music composer Mian Sheharyar was greatly impressed by her vocal range, and gave her the opportunity to perform in his film Begunah (1958). Naseem Begum immediately achieved success with her song “Nainon mein jal bhar aayey”, which became one of the most popular tracks of the 1950s. She gained popularity after singing memorable duets with famous playback singer Ahmed Rushdi.
Alas, she was admitted in a hospital in Lahore on September 29, 1971 for delivery of child and died due to pregnancy-related complications. She was just 35 year of age.She was buried in Mominpura graveyard.
Poet Masheer Kazmi wrote blockbusters of 50s and 60s and got pinnacle of his popularity after writing Aye Rah-e-Haq Ke Shaheedo. Masheer Kami died in Lahore on December 8, 1975 and was buried in Mominpura graveyard.
Mominpura graveyard in Lahore is resting place of both eternal personalities who gave a new dimension to patriotic songs in Pakistan.
Listen Original Patriotic song Aye Rah-e-Haq Ke Shaheedo sung by Naseem Begum hereunder: