# M. Ashraf

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**M. Ashraf** or **Muhammad Ashraf** (1 February 1942 – 4 February 2007) was a [Pakistani](/source/Pakistani) [film composer](/source/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](/source/Pakistan_film_industry).[1][2][3][4]

By the end of his 45 years long career, he had composed more than 2,000 film songs for over 400 films.[2][5]

## Early life and career

Muhammad Ashraf was born in [Lahore](/source/Lahore), [British India](/source/British_India) inside the [Bhati Gate](/source/Bhati_Gate) area in 1942. 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](/source/Master_Inayat_Hussain) (1916 – 26 March 1993). M. Ashraf first assisted his uncle (Mamu in [Urdu](/source/Urdu) language) music director *Akhtar Hussain Akhian* for five years. He belonged to a known family of musicians in Pakistan with [Ustad Tafu](/source/Ustad_Tafu) also being his cousin.[2][5]

He started his film career with a teammate *Master Manzoor* with (1959 film *Savera* hit song "Tu jo nahin hay tau kuchh bhi nahin hay") sung by playback singer [S. B. John](/source/S._B._John). Film *Saperan* (1961) was another hit film and the song *Chand Sa Mukhra Gora Badan* was another popular film song which gained singer [Ahmed Rushdi](/source/Ahmed_Rushdi) his first [Nigar Award](/source/Nigar_Award).[3] 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)*.[3][5]

*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](/source/Sajda) 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](/source/Urdu) films and a dominance of [Punjabi](/source/Punjabi_language) films. "M. Ashraf's musical journey ended with *Tere Bin Jiya Na Jaye* (2005).[4][5]

## Playback singers introduced by him

Famous folk singer [Shaukat Ali](/source/Shaukat_Ali_(singer)) was introduced in film director Haidar Chodhary's inaugural super-hit musical film *Tees Mar Khan* in 1963. [Naheed Akhtar](/source/Naheed_Akhtar) 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](/source/Nayyara_Noor) actually had her first appearance in Punjabi film [Ziddi (1973 film)](/source/Ziddi_(1973_film)) 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](/source/Noor_Jehan). [Asad Amanat Ali Khan](/source/Asad_Amanat_Ali_Khan) was introduced into the [Pakistani film industry](/source/Pakistani_film_industry) by M. Ashraf in film *Saheli* (1978).[3][4]

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 [Noor Jehan](/source/Noor_Jehan), [Mehdi Hassan](/source/Mehdi_Hassan), [Naheed Akhtar](/source/Naheed_Akhtar), [Masood Rana](/source/Masood_Rana), and [Ahmed Rushdi](/source/Ahmed_Rushdi) while also introducing new talent such as Ghulam Abbas, [A. Nayyar](/source/A._Nayyar), [Alamgir](/source/Alamgir_(pop_singer)), [Mohammed Ali Shehki](/source/Mohammed_Ali_Shehki), Rajab Ali, Anwar Rafi and many other upcoming new artists of that era to the broader audience of movies and pop radio airplays.[2][3]

## Some of his popular songs

- "Tu Jo Nahin Hai, Tau Kuchh Bhi Nahin Hai" Sung by [S. B. John](/source/S._B._John), lyrics by [Fayyaz Hashmi](/source/Fayyaz_Hashmi), film *Savera (1959)*
- "Chand Sa Mukhra Gora Badan, Jal Mein Lagaey Meethi Aggan"[3] Sung by [Ahmed Rushdi](/source/Ahmed_Rushdi), lyrics by [Shabab Kiranwi](/source/Shabab_Kiranwi), film *Saperan (1961)*[6] Playback singer Ahmed Rushdi won his first [Nigar Award](/source/Nigar_Award) for this film song[3]
- "Gole Gappay Wala Aaya, Gole Gappay Laaya" Sung by [Ahmed Rushdi](/source/Ahmed_Rushdi), lyrics by *Hazeen Qadri*, film *Mehtab (1962)*[6]
- "Tum Hi Ho Mahboob Meray, Mein Kyuun Na Tumhein Pyaar Karoon" Sung by [Masood Rana](/source/Masood_Rana), lyrics by [Khawaja Pervez](/source/Khawaja_Pervez), film *Aina (1966)*[6]
- "Saamne Aake Tujh Ko Pukara Nahin, Teri Ruswai Mujhko Gawara Nahin" Sung by Mehdi Hassan, lyrics by [Khawaja Pervez](/source/Khawaja_Pervez), film *Dard* (1968)
- *Jab Koi Pyaar Se Bulaeye Ga, Tum Ko Eik Shaksh Yaad Aaye Ga*[2] Sung by Mehdi Hassan, lyrics by Khawaja Pervez, film *Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hai* (1969)
- "O' Mera Babu Chhaill Chhabeela Mein Tau Naachoon Gi" Sung by [Runa Laila](/source/Runa_Laila), lyrics by *Taslim Fazli*, film *Munn Ki Jeet (1972)*[6][7]
- "Do Pattar Anaran De" Sung by [Noor Jehan](/source/Noor_Jehan), lyrics by Khawaja Pervez, film *Do Pattar Anaran De* (1972)[2][7]
- "Tera Saaya Jahan Bhi Ho Sajana Palkain Bichhaoon" Sung by [Nayyara Noor](/source/Nayyara_Noor), lyrics by [Kaleem Usmani](/source/Kaleem_Usmani), film *Gharana (1973)*
- "Hamaray Dil Se Mat Khailo Khilona Toot Jaaye Ga"[2] Sung by [Mehdi Hassan](/source/Mehdi_Hassan), lyrics by *Taslim Fazli*, film *[Daman Aur Chingari](/source/Daman_Aur_Chingari)* (1973)[7]
- "Meray Shauq Da Nahin Aetbar Teinun" Sung by [Ghulam Ali](/source/Ghulam_Ali_(singer)), lyrics by [Ghulam Mustafa Tabassum](/source/Ghulam_Mustafa_Tabassum), film *Eik Thi Larki* (1973)[7]
- "Tujhe Pyar Karte Karte Meri Umar Beet Jaaye" Sung by [Mehdi Hassan](/source/Mehdi_Hassan), lyrics by *Taslim Fazli*, film [Mera Naam Hai Mohabbat](/source/Mera_Naam_Hai_Mohabbat_(1975_film)) (1975)[7]
- "Iss Parcham Kay Saaey Talay Hum Eik Hain" Sung by [Nayyara Noor](/source/Nayyara_Noor), lyrics by [Kaleem Usmani](/source/Kaleem_Usmani), film *Farz Aur Mamta* (1975)[7]
- "Socha Tha Mein Ne Dil Nahin Doon Gi, Hai Rabba O' Dil Dena Paya" Sung by [Nahid Akhtar](/source/Nahid_Akhtar), lyrics by Taslim Fazli, film *Anari* (1975)
- "Be Iman Chahoon Tujhe Subah O Shaam"[2] Sung by Mehdi Hassan, lyrics by [Masroor Anwar](/source/Masroor_Anwar), film *Jab Jab Phool Khilay* (1975)[2]
- "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 [Mehdi Hassan](/source/Mehdi_Hassan), lyrics by *Taslim Fazli*, film [Shabana](/source/Shabana_(film)) (1976)
- "Mera Laung Gawacha" Sung by [Musarrat Nazir](/source/Musarrat_Nazir), lyrics by [Khawaja Pervez](/source/Khawaja_Pervez), film *Allah Rakha* (1987)
- "Dopatta Mera Lal rang Da" (a [bhangra](/source/Bhangra_(music)) song), Sung by [Humaira Channa](/source/Humaira_Channa) and [Shazia Manzoor](/source/Shazia_Manzoor), lyrics by Saeed Gillani, film *Munda Bigra Jaye* (1995)

## Awards and recognition

- Won 6 [Nigar Award](/source/Nigar_Award) for 'Best Music' in 6 different films - film Gharana (1973), film [Mera Naam Hai Mohabbat](/source/Mera_Naam_Hai_Mohabbat_(1975_film)) (1975), film [Shabana](/source/Shabana_(film)) (1976), film Qurbani (1981), Punjabi-language films *Dhee Rani* (1985) and Qismet (1986).[3][4]
- M. Ashraf also won 14 *Graduate Awards* of the [Pakistan film industry](/source/Pakistan_film_industry).[2][3]

## Death and legacy

M. Ashraf died of a cardiac arrest on 4 February 2007 in [Karachi](/source/Karachi), [Pakistan](/source/Pakistan) at the age of 65.[2][4][3]

"He had the distinction of working with film directors such as [S. Suleman](/source/S._Suleman), Nazrul Islam, M. Javed Fazil, [Pervez Malik](/source/Pervez_Malik), [Shamim Ara](/source/Shamim_Ara), Iqbal Akhtar, Jan Mohammad and Hasan Askari. And banking on his music, they all tasted success."[2]

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)](/source/Bulandi_(1990_film)), [Jeeva (1995 film)](/source/Jeeva_(1995_film)), Dopatta Jal Raha Hai (1998 film), [Jungle Queen (2000 film)](/source/Jungle_Queen_(2000_film)), [Salakhain](/source/Salakhain) (2004 film). His two other sons are Nadeem Ashraf and Salman Ashraf.[2]

## References

1. Mushtaq Gazdar (1997). [*Pakistan Cinema, 1947-1997 (M. Ashraf)*](https://books.google.com/books?id=sOdkAAAAMAAJ&q=M.Ashraf). pp. 275, 321 and 327. ISBN 9780195778175.

1. ["Death of a maestro (M. Ashraf)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20230923200016/https://www.dawn.com/news/231563). *Dawn newspaper*. 6 February 2007. Archived from [the original](https://www.dawn.com/news/231563) on 23 September 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2024.

1. ["Eminent music director M Ashraf remembered on his 13th death anniversary"](https://web.archive.org/web/20220628224132/https://dailytimes.com.pk/552242/eminent-music-director-m-ashraf-remembered-on-his-13th-death-anniversary/). *Daily Times newspaper*. 5 February 2020. Archived from [the original](https://dailytimes.com.pk/552242/eminent-music-director-m-ashraf-remembered-on-his-13th-death-anniversary/) on 28 June 2022. Retrieved 23 August 2024.

1. Chand Shakeel (4 February 2020). ["Eminent Music Director M. Ashraf Was Remembered On His 13th Death Anniversary"](https://www.urdupoint.com/en/showbiz/eminent-music-director-mashraf-was-remembere-828787.html). *UrduPoint.com website*. Retrieved 22 December 2021.

1. ["Profile of M Ashraf"](https://web.archive.org/web/20171011192439/http://pakfilms.net/artists/details.php?pid=1934). *Pakistan Film Magazine website*. Archived from [the original](http://pakfilms.net/artists/details.php?pid=1934) on 11 October 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2023.

1. ["Filmography of M. Ashraf"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170918041640/http://pakfilms.net/musicians/MAshraf.php). *Pakistan Film Magazine website*. Archived from [the original](http://pakfilms.net/musicians/MAshraf.php) on 18 September 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2023.

1. Alan Goble (16 September 2012). ["Filmography of M. Ashraf"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190109110813/https://www.citwf.com/person25860.htm). *Complete Index To World Film (CITWF) website*. Archived from [the original](https://www.citwf.com/person25860.htm) on 9 January 2019. Retrieved 22 April 2022.

## External links

- [Filmography of M. Ashraf on IMDb website](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0039175/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [M. Ashraf](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M._Ashraf) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M._Ashraf?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.