The composers of the widely popular song were late brothers Saleem Husain and Iqbal Husain, who used the name of Saleem-Iqbal for their film compositions. For me hearing this song revived the fond memories of good old days, when I was indirectly associated with several composers when they were busy providing melodic raiment to the film songs.
During the decade of 1940s, teenagers Cheema (Saleem) and Baala (Iqbal) were members of a street theatre, whose repertoire included Waris Shah's epic love story Heer. They used to stage the play in the narrow streets of the Walled City of Lahore for the pleasure of the city dwellers. In those days street theatre was a very common and inexpensive mode of entertainment.
I vividly remember the days when brothers Saleem and Iqbal took used to stage the plays in the narrow streets of Lahore.
Brother Saleem Husain and Iqbal Husain were trained in the art of singing and acting, first by their father Master Ilam Din, a renowned local professional musician, whose baithak was located inside Bhatti Gate, Lahore. Later, Saleem was associated with composer Feroze Nizami as his assistant, when he returned from Bombay shortly after partition.
In mid-50s, the duo of brothers made their debut by scoring music for the Punjabi box office hit film 'Sheikh Chilli', several songs of which, including 'Sayyo nee maira dil dharkey' and 'Laal parranda', became very popular soon after the release of the movie. The song 'Veer Maira Ghori Charriya' took the name and fame of the composers to every nook and cranny of the country. Written by Waris Ludhanvi the chorus was led by Naseem Begum in Saif-ud-Saif's Punjabi film 'Kartar Singh'. This song is now a favourite of young girl friends of the brides and is sung in every home in Pakistan where marriage festivities are arranged.
Out of about 30 films for which Saleem-Iqbal scored music, a majority did good business at the box office. The films 'Kartar Singh', 'Darwaza' and 'Baaji' won wide public acceptance after their release in the decade of the 1960s. Composed in the strand of ragas, the songs of Saleem-Iqbal in those days were considered a guarantee for the success of a movie.
The song 'Piya Naheen Aye' for the film 'Darwaza', which was composed in raga Kalavai and 'Chanda Tori Chandani Mein' in Bhairveen by Saleem-Iqbal substantiate the point.
As Saleem clearly excelled his older brother Iqbal in singing, he was given special attention by his father Master Ilam Din. Later in his career, Saleem Husain also benefited from the melodic wisdom of Ustad Khurshid Butt and his mentor Ustad Sardar Khan Delhiwaley. The last Ustad of Saleem Hussain was maestro Abdul Qadir Piya Rang, who was not a professional musician in a genetic sense, but was as competent as a seasoned gharana singer could be.
Refinement of melodic phrases, restrained emotion, tranquility and subtle atmosphere were some of the qualities of Saleem-Iqbal compositions for which they drew equally on classical modes and folk traditions. Their sensitivity to the finer shades of musical feeling provided them a unique place in the art of composition.
In addition to composing music for films, Saleem Husain after the death of his brother Iqbal Husain, broadcast his classical songs regularly from Radio Pakistan, Lahore. For five years, he taught music to young aspirants at Lahore Arts Council's Music Academy.
Brothers Saleem and Iqbal were among those illustrious sons of Lahore, whose contributions to film music are enshrined in the annals of melodic arts. It will take a long time for his universally popular 'Veer Maira Ghori Charriya' song to be matched by another with the same tender feeling, appeal and sonic enchantment. Going by the prevailing definition, a folk song's authorship is shrouded in anonymity, but this song of Saleem-Iqbal has the singular distinction of being identified with their names.
The composers's duo of Saleem-Iqbal was lucky as its very first composition in Punjabi film 'Sheikh Chilli' reached the lips of millions, particularly in Punjab on both sides of the Wagha border. As has been the case with a number of duos, if one member is strong in the composition of a song, the other takes care of the arranging the melodic interludes and orchestral arrangements.
After a song had been provided melodic raiment by Saleem Husain, older brother Iqbal would take it over till it was recorded.
Like many original composers, Saleem Husain also became disenchanted with Pakistan film industry and said goodbye to his creative career, which at one time was the envy of his contemporaries.