G. M. Durrani


Ghulam Mustafa Durrani was an Indian radio drama artist, playback singer, actor and music director.

Singer in many languages

Ghulam Mustafa Durrani was fond of music since childhood and was a radio drama artist and full-time singer of Lahore station, Delhi station and Mumbai station of AIR at a salary of Rupees 70 per month. His native language was Pashto, but he had a strong command over Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi languages. He sang in many Indian languages including Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi and Pashto language in Indian movies in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. After the 1950s, Durrani sang very few songs. Durrani was the disciple of radio broadcaster Zulfiqar Ali Bukhari, and Durrani also called Rafiq Ghaznavi 'my Guru'.
To his credit, he tried to create his own identity as a playback singer and tried not to follow the then popular K. L. Saigal style of singing. Durrani was notable for sad songs, romantic songs, patriotic songs, Qur'an khawani, Qawwalis, Ghazals and Bhajans. He was also one of the first Muslim singers to sing Hindu devotional songs.

Early life

Ghulam Mustafa Durrani was born in Peshawar, British India in 1919. He was a Pathan and belonged to the Mohammad Zai tribe. He should not be confused as a direct descendant or have any relation with Ahmad Shah Durrani - founder of Afghanistan.

Family

His mother died when he was very young. His father was educated and of artistic mind, but very strict, and the only ally at the home was his loving grandmother. But she could also not protect him from his father's anger.

Marriage

Durrani married actress Jyoti. Jyoti was the younger sister of actress Wahidan, who acted in many movies, including Alibaba. Wahidan's daughter Nimmi was to become a big actress in the 1950s, too.

Career

In Peshawar

The last job Durrani did in Peshawar was at a painter's shop where an artist always used to hum the tunes of the songs composed by highly respected Composer and Actor Rafiq Ghaznavi. He also started imitating those songs and got appreciation from the colleagues which inspired him. Durrani started practising Rafiq Ghaznavi's songs and assumed him as his master. During this time, his father took him to another job at his uncle's motor-part shop. But the artist within didn't stay long there and Durrani ran away from home to Lahore, with only 22 rupees in his pocket.

In Lahore

In Lahore, Durrani did odd jobs along with singing on radio. This brought him fame and passion for radio singing which took him to Delhi first, then to Bombay. He came to Bombay (now Mumbai) on 14 April 1935. In Mumbai, he somehow got a job at Mumbai Radio Station, and from there he got recognition. Filmwallahs started calling on him to sing.

In Mumbai

His singing career started from AIR. Durrani was discovered by film producer Sohrab Modi, when he was approximately 16 years old. Modi gave him his first chance around 1935 or 1936 in the movie Said-e-Havas, a historical under the music director, classical musician Bundu Khan, popularly known as "Taan-Talwar" Bundu Khan. It was a ghazal, whose words were:
"Mastonko shem farz hai peena Sharab ka,
gutti mein meri padh gaya qatara sharab ka"
The English Translation of this Ghazal:
'''"The happy-go-lucky people imbibe liquor for euphoria but I drink because my first morsel of food had a drop of liquor in it."'''

In Delhi

When Durrani came to Bombay, the playback system was not there, and one had to act on-screen. He didn't like running around trees and refused to work further. He faced a lot of difficulties and could not return as people would call him a "Kanjar". Minerva was to close down soon, too. He soon joined the Delhi Radio Station of AIR and later quit this job on 31 December 1940.
Durrani was working at the Delhi Radio Station where he got acquainted with poet Behzad Lucknavi, whose many ghazals had been sung by Mallika-e-Ghazal Begum Akhtar.

Shift to Mumbai

He later shifted to the Mumbai Radio Station where he met a big personality at the time, whom he considered one of his ustads, Station Director of Bombay station of AIR, Baba-e-Nasharayat Zulfiqar Ali Bukhari, who helped the radio station advance. Durrani called Zulfiqar Ali Bukhari "Ustad", to honour him.. After the Partition of India and creation of Pakistan, Bukhari was made first director-general of Radio Pakistan and later, he served as general manager of PTV ).
G. M. Durrani's salary was soon fixed at Rs. 40 per month. Here, he was working as a 'Drama Artist'. He was soon counted as one of the best drama artists on the radio at that time. Over a period of three years, his salary had gone up to Rs. 70 per month. But fate would soon call him back to films.
Later, in 1939–40, when the concept of playback singing started, he was the first to lend his voice for a film titled Bahurani. The film was made by Sagar Movietone and its music director was Rafiq Ghaznavi. Durrani was then working as a full-time Singer in AIR. Those were British days and they were not allowed to do any private recordings. But Ghaznavi insisted. Durrani laid down some conditions, like; the recording should be fixed on a Sunday night so that no outsiders would be allowed to enter the studio. Secondly, he said that his name shouldn't appear in credit titles or on discs. The song was a duet with Miss Rose, an Anglo-Indian, who didn't have much experience as a singer. He was paid Rs.75 for the song as against his salary of Rs.70 a month at AIR. He then chucked his job on 31 December 1940 and decided to concentrate fully on his film career.
Thereafter, he sang for, among others, noted music directors such as Khawaja Khurshid Anwar, his friend Naushad, Shankar Rao Vyas and A. R. Qureshi,, for films like Mirza Ghalib, Humlog, Magroor, Shama, Namaste, Sabak and scores of others. He became very popular. Many singers started their careers with him and he inspired many others too.
He was the idol of Mohammed Rafi, who imitated him in the early days. In fact, in 1944, Rafi recorded what he considered his first Hindi language song for the film Gaon ki Gori for Shyam Sunder, "Aji Dil Ho Kaaboo Mein To Dildaar Ki Aisi Taisi", with G. M. Durrani and chorus.
Geeta Dutt also started her career in her breakthrough movie, Do Bhai, with the song "Aaj Preet Ka Naata Toot Gaya", a duet with G. M. Durrani, for S. D. Burman.
Similarly, "Haye Chorre Ki Jaat Badi Bewafa", a duet with G. M. Durrani, was Lata's first song for composer, Naushad.
Durrani has sung many songs during his career. His output later reduced. According to one story, he was influenced not to sing for some time after his Hajj visit and Rafi then helped him get back to singing, but by then his career was over. Music composer Khawaja Khurshid Anwar, in his first film, Kurmai took Durrani as his assistant and later gave him the film Angoori as music director.

Popularity

In the period of K. L. Saigal, Surinder, Khan Mastana and G.M. Durrani were also famous. G. M. Durrani was one of the 40s famous playback singers. Durrani tried to make his own identity as a playback singer and not try to follow the K. L. Saigal style of singing. G. M. Durrani was a legendary Bollywood playback singer. His singing style was to inspire Rafi and others in the years to come. Later G. M. Durrani became a model to many playback singers who followed. The soulful renditions of Durrani were to be reminded of by Talat's singing as well.
Mohammed Rafi was influenced most notably, by G. M. Durrani, on whose style he based his singing. He sang with his idol in some of the songs such as "Humko Hanste Dekh Zamana Jalta Hai" and "Khabar Kisi Ko Nahiin, Woh Kidhar Dekhte".
G. M. Durrani considered that his first famous song was "Duniya Mein Sab Jode Jode" in the film Sharda, composed by Naushad.
The song "Neend Hamaari Khwaab Tumhaare Kitne Meethe Kitne Pyaare", that made him a real rage, was however, composed by Shyam Sundar, for his movie Nai Kahani. This song, sung mostly by G. M. Durrani, with some support by child-star Balakram was playing everywhere. When he sang this song, the listeners went crazy. This timeless melody can never be forgotten by fans of Indian Cinema.
Nearly 40 years later, when Tata Oil Mills did a program, Mortal Men Immortal Melodies, to celebrate fifty years of talkies in India, they invited him to re-render the song. Although many had forgotten him, his voice was still great and he got applause for it.

Filmography

As actor

  • Mumtaz Mahal
  • Bhola Shikaar
  • Bhumika
  • Hum Log
  • Aasman
  • Yaad
  • Ardhangini
  • State Express
  • Qismat Palat Ke Dekh
  • Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi
  • Jawab Aayega
  • Kaise Kahun
  • Zamana Badal Gaya
  • Baghi Haseena
  • Shree Krishna Bhakti
  • Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye
  • Lal Patthar
  • Love & God
  • Besharam
  • ''Teesra Kaun''

As music director

The legendary Filmmaker, Writer, Director and Music composer Khawaja Khurshid Anwar took G. M. Durrani in his first film, Kurmai as his assistant.
Durrani also assisted his friend Naushad for his movies around this time and big break for him was coming soon in the form of the movie Nai Duniya.
G. M. Durrani composed the songs in these films:
  • Vijay Laxmi
  • *Barto Sudeshi Bano Sudeshi
  • *Chale Charan More Kunjan Ki Ore
  • *Hum Jaan Gaye Re
  • *Is Bekaraar Dil Ko
  • *Koi Aaya Chamak Uthi
  • *Matlab Hai Mil Jaane Se
  • *Uyi Main Lut Gayi
  • *Ye Naina Bade Deewane
  • Angoori
  • *Aa Kar Le Mann Ka Mol
  • *Angoori Angoori Pyaala
  • *Jeet Liyo Jeet Liyo Jeet Liyo Re
  • *Kaahe Tihar Jiya Daale
  • *Loot Liyo Re
  • *Man Hai Ek Paheli
  • *Main Na Jaihaun Akeli Bajariya
  • *Nainon Mein Naina Deenhon Daal
  • *Sambhaal Ke Jaiyo Sakhi
  • Bhagya Laxmi
  • *Ho Mujhse Aaj Kaun Dhanwan
  • *Khaali Hai Daaman-E-Murad
  • *Krishna Piya Ko Rijhana Aali
  • *Meri Binti Suni Girdhari
  • *More Aangan Mein Chanda Lutaye Kiran
  • *O Baadal Babul Se Kahiyo
  • *Saawariya Jab Se Milaye Nain
  • *So Jaa Rajdulari So Jaa
  • Dhadkan
  • *Aaye Doli Uthane Kahaar
  • *Baanka Raseela Mora Baalam
  • *Dil Dheer Na Dhare
  • *Dil Pehloo Se Uchhla Jaaye
  • *Jab Se Gaye Ho
  • *Jo Dard Basaya Tha
  • *Hum Mast Hawa Ke Jhonke Se
  • *Maalik Mere Accha Nahin Dukhiyon Ko
  • *Shab-E-Gham Aap Mere Paas

Selected songs

Solo Songs

  • Gul-E-Bakavali - Maaya Badi Bairan Tu -
  • Gul-E-Bakavali - Nagaawali Raj Hai Bakaavali Rani Hai -
  • Actor - Dil Tere Hijr Main Beemar Hai -
  • Awara Shahzadi - Nabi Ne Chahne Wale Nirali Shaan -
  • Ek Din Ka Sultan - Falak Ke Chand Ka Hamne Jawab Dekh Liya -
  • Ek Din Ka Sultan - Kisi Ke Kooche Mein Gardan Kataane Jaate Hain -
  • Aiye - Itni Si Kahani Hai -
  • Aiye - Jigar Ke Tukde Hain Dil Ke Tukde -
  • Aparadhi - Zindagani Ka Maza Shadi Mein Hain -
  • Nargis - Ye To Bata Mere Khuda
  • Kuldeep - Aye Chand Sitaro
  • Sharda - It Jaaye Ut Jaaye Nazariya Doley Ri
  • Sharda - Duniya Mein Sab Jodey Jodey
  • Sharda - Balahaari Re Kukadakun Bol
  • Doli - Khel Nahi Gir Gir Ke Sambhalna -
  • Chhoti Si Duniya - Is Toote Huye Dil Ka
  • Chhed Chhad - Pee Kahaan Pee Kahaan -
  • Chand - Aye Dil Mujhe Rone De -
  • But Taraash - Ab Kaun Hai Is Tute Hue Dil Ka
  • Bazaar - Pee Aaye Aakar Chal Bhi Diye
  • Kaale Baadal - Kisi Bedard Ne Aisa Jalaya
  • Nai Kahani - Hame kya hame kya
  • Chand - Samjhe The Jise Apna
  • Romeo And Juliet - Tumhe Sitaro Ne
  • Ek Roz - Toota Hua Dil
  • Ek Roz - Ek Bewafa Ne
  • Darshan - Pardesi Babu
  • Darshan - Main Pee Darshan
  • Dolti Naiya - Meri Zindagi Bhi
  • Jalte Deep - Nayi Ek Duniya
  • Aaj Ki Raat - Pyaar Ki Shama
  • Maang - Main Kisko Sunau
  • Lakeeren - Mere Maalik Meri Kismat
  • Pehle Aap - Dil Ke Pat Khol Ke
  • Bhai Jaan - Aa Hosh Mein Deewano
  • Madhubala - Ye Duniya Hai Bewafai Ki
  • Madhubala - Kisi Ko Yaad Karta Hai
  • Madhubala - Nayi Jawani Rut Mastani
  • Dukhiyari - Ab Kisko Sunaane Chali
  • Bazooband - Diya Bujhaao Jhatpat Jhatpat
  • Yateem - Main Usse Karoon Pyar -
  • Khel - Hamein Ab Ye Jeena Ghawara -
  • Khel - Apni Mehfil Mein Phir Ik Baar -
  • Mirza Sahiban - Khayegi Thokaren Jawani

Songs with Other Singers

Songs with [Amirbai Karnataki]

  • Aan Baan - Bolay mann ki maina -
  • Samrat Chandragupt - Aa Badla Hai Zamanaa -
  • Diwani - Wafayein hamari na tum aazmana -

Songs with [Asha Bhosle]

  • Bade Bhaiya - Maine Jab Se Tumko Dekha Hai
  • Ek-Do-Teen - Thumak-Thumak Chali Kaamini -
  • Pyar Ki Baaten - Wo Hamse Mohabbat Kerte Hain -
  • Jeevan Taara - O Chhup Chhup Ke Sapnon Mein Aata Hai Kaun -
  • Pyar Ki Baaten - Unko Rupye Me -
  • Khushboo - Udhar Chand Nikla -
  • Sandesh - Nas Nas Mein Meri

Songs with [Bhupinder Singh (musician)]

  • Akalmand - O Bekhabar Tujh Kya Pata -

Songs with Faiyaz Mohammed

Songs with [Geeta Dutt]

  • Do Bhai - Aaj preet ka naata toot gaya
  • Geet Govind - Chamkat damkat damini - with Abha
  • Geet Govind - Viyogan deepshikha si jare
  • Heer Ranjha - Kafas ki qaid mein humko
  • Hip Hip Hurray - Hip hip hurray-2, Dubeyji ko pakwan mila
  • Hip Hip Hurray - Jawani Hum Guzare
  • Dil Ki Basti - Yahi hai dil ki basti
  • Dil Ki Basti - Kadam hai...nazuk dil hai tod na dena
  • Nazare - Mere man mein dol
  • Nazare - Milate ho usiko
  • Nazare - Duniya ki andheri raat mein - with Shamshad Begum
  • Nazare - Bahar aayi chaman - with Shamshad Begum
  • Dilruba - Humne khai hai mohabbat mein
  • Jalte Deep - Nai ek duniya basayenge
  • Khel - Teri nazaron ne mere seene pe fire kar diya
  • Man Ka Meet - Machalta hua yeh dil
  • Deedar - Nazar phero na humse - with Shamshad Begum
  • Ghayal - O rani mainawati - with Meena Kapoor
  • Ghayal - Daiya re daiya - with Meena Kapoor
  • Sansar - Lucknow chalo ab rani
  • Baghdad - Dile beqarar kahe baar baar
  • Baghdad - Yeh pyar ki baatein - with Talat
  • Neelampari - Jab tak chamke chand
  • Nirmal - Tu jo mere pyar ki khichdi pakayega
  • Patal Bhairavi - Jaoongi maike jaaongi
  • Usha Kiran - Jago jago jago bhor suhani - with Zohra and Asha
  • Pehli Shaadi - Tum haan kah do
  • Awara Shahzadi - Hum tum se raazi
  • Badshah Salamat - Dil ke darwaze mein hui khatkhat
  • Sheikh Chilli - Madhoshi mein tanhai mein
  • Akashpari - Ho gaye barbad hum acchha hua
  • Akashpari - Ho khel nahin dil se voh dil ka lagana
  • Jwalamukhi - Tum tana tum tana...balam koi karke bahana, chupke se chod na jana
  • non-film patriotic - Vande matram
  • Lakeeren - Aabaad Jahaan Barbaad Kiya

Songs with Iqbal Begum

  • Kurmai - Gote Da Haar Ve -

Songs with [Kishore Kumar]

  • Hamaari Shaan - Damdi damdi paisa paisa jod jod kar -, lyrics Anjum Jaipuri, music Chitragupta

Songs with Khan Mastana

  • Sunehre Din - Jiya Ka Diya -
  • Sunehre Din - Hum Mast Dilo Ko Lekar -

Songs with [Lata Mangeshkar]

  • Ek Thi Ladki - Lara Lappa Lara Lappa Laai Rakhda
  • Chandni Raat - Haye Chhore Ki Jaat
  • Shair - Do Bichhade Huye Dil
  • Aiye - Kar Sakega Na Juda Tumko
  • Aiye - Duniya Badal Gayi Ki Muqaddar Bigad Gaya
  • Hum Log - Gaaye chala jaa
  • Anand Bhavan - Hello, hello, Mr. Dil, kaho betaab ho kisliye
  • Maang - Aao Baitho Baat Suno
  • Caravan - Aye Sarban Aye Sarban -
  • Shikar Kya Haal Hai Huzoor Ke Dil Ka

Songs with [Mahendra Kapoor]

  • Akalmand - O Bekhabar Tujh Kya Pata -

Songs with Manju Das

  • Chand - Watan Se Chala Hai

Songs with [Mohammed Rafi]

  • Sassi Punnu - Aashikon Ka Kaafila
  • Ek Thi Ladki - Lara Lappa Lara Lappa Laai Rakhda
  • Beqasoor - Khabar kisi ko nahin
  • Anand Bhawan - Usey Dhoondh Hi Lenge
  • Musafir Khanna - Kuchh Aankh Mili
  • Zara Bachke - Aye Ishq Isse Barbad Na Kar
  • Gaon Ki Gori - Aji Dil Ho Kaabu Mein

Songs with [Mukesh (singer)]

  • Beqasoor - Khabar kisi ko nahin
  • Hanste Aansoo - Aise Mein Koi Chham Se

Songs with [Noor Jehan]

  • Mirza Sahibaan - Haath Seene Pe Jo Rakh Do
  • Mirza Sahibaan - Tum Aankhon Se Door Ho

Songs with P. Susheela

  • Gul-E-Bakavali - Bade Tum Veer Sahi Baat Badi Mat Karna

Songs with Parol Ghosh

  • Namaste - Ambua Pe Panchhi Bawara

Songs with [Rajkumari Dubey]

  • Kurmai - Gote Da Haar Ve
  • Ishara - Dheere-Dheere Bol Mere Raja
  • Station Master - Baras Gayi Raam Badariya Kaari
  • Kavita - Udd Jaau Main Sajan Re
  • Meharbani - O Tujhko Nainon
  • Nai Duniya - Prem Ne Mann Mein Aag Lagayi
  • Nai Duniya - Dil Loot Liya Ji
  • Nai Duniya - Barasan Laagi Badariya
  • Yateem - Jhuum rahi baagon men bhigi

Songs with [Sandhya Mukhopadhyay]

  • Izzat - Ishq Me Ho Jao Barbaad
  • Izzat - Tera Jhoomta Shabaab Jaise

Songs with [Shamshad Begum]

  • Suhaag Sindoor - Ho Jaise Sawan Mein Baadal -
  • Shama - Ek Yaad Kisiki Yaad Rahi
  • Laaj - Ab Hum Se Juda Mat Hona
  • Ghar Ki Izzat - Taaron Ki Toliyon Ye Kaisa Hai
  • Ghar Ki Izzat - Bahut Betakaluff Huye
  • Kaneez - Tum Kya Jano Mera Mthe Ki Bindiya Ka Mol
  • Deedar - Nazar Phero Na Humse
  • Hum Log - Bogi Bogi Bogi
  • Hum Log - Gaye Chala Ja
  • Dhoop Chaon - Ajeeb Rang Hai
  • Naqab Posh - Ae Mere Majnu Meri
  • Gumashta - Tera Gora Gora Gaal
  • Lara Lappa - Mela Do Din Da
  • Lara Lappa - Akhiyan Wich Akhiyan Rehan De
  • Hip Hip Hurray - Jawani Hum Guzare
  • Bade Bhaiya - Hello Sai Hello
  • Dada - Dhil Die Jaa
  • Nazaare - Puraane Chaahne Walon Se
  • Sassi Punnu - Dekho Ji Kya Sama
  • Mirza Sahiban - Aaj Miya ji Ko
  • Ek Tha Ladka - Ek Din Tumne
  • Ek Tha Ladka - More Balma
  • Dada - Chal Chal Chameli

Songs with Sitara

  • Aabroo - Piya Milan Ki Rut Aayi Hai
  • Aabroo - Gori Baanke Naino Se chalaye Jaadua

Songs with Sudha Malhotra

  • Aadmi - Nayi Nayi Ye Preet

Songs with Sulochana Kadam

  • Actor - Teri Galiyon Main Aayi

Songs with [Suraiya]

  • Aaj Ki Raat - Haa Kyun Dil Mein Mere
  • Aaj Ki Raat - Mere Aansuon Meri Hasraton
  • Nili - Teri Zaalim Nigaahon Ne

Songs with [Talat Mahmood]

  • Baghdad - Yeh pyar ki baatein - with Geeta Dutt
  • Hamaari Shaan - Damdi damdi paisa paisa jod jod kar

Songs with Trilok Kapoor

  • Laadla - Jal Tu Jalal Tu

Songs with Uma Devi ([Tun Tun])

  • Rashida Dulhan - Mohabat ne Chheda yeh kaisa taraana

Songs with Zeenat Begum

  • Chand - Aye Chand Bata Mujhko

Songs with [Zohrabai Ambalewali]

  • Sohni Mahiwal - Chali Pyari Sakhi Sasural Dil Kyon Dole Na
  • Sohni Mahiwal - Chenab Ke Behte Hue Paani
  • Sohni Mahiwal - Oh Tujh Pe Salaam Ae Mere Nakaam-e-Mohabbat
  • Lalkaar - Bhanwron Na Tab Tak
  • Doli - Dilli Ki Galiyon Mein

Duet with other singers

  • Hameeda Bano
  • Pushpa Hans, etc.

Genres

Patriotic Songs

  • Koshish - Hindustan Waalon Geeta Ke Barq Uthaao
  • Koshish - Ae Hind Ke Sapooton Jaago Hua Savera
  • Gokul - Hum Todenge
  • Chand - Watan Se Chala Hai
  • Gaon Ki Gori - Hindustan Ki Khatir
  • non-film patriotic - Vande matram

Hindu Devotional Songs

G. M. Durrani was one of the first Muslim singers to get to sing Hindu Devotionals.
  • Bharat Milap - Raghukul Reet Sada Chali Aayi
  • Bharat Milap - Jhananan jhananan baaj rahi hai
  • Bharat Milap - Utho Utho Hey Bharat, Maharaj raam chandra ki jay
  • Namaste - Aan milo morey Shyaam
  • Vikramaditya - Shambho Mahadev Shankar
  • Vikramaditya - Om Jai Jai Shankar
  • Ramayan - Ram Chale Ram Chale Ban Chale Ram Raghuveer
  • Veer Arjun - Vasudev Sutam Devam
  • Gokul - Kahan Hamare Shyam Chale

Muslim Devotional Songs

  • Awara Shahzadi - Nabi Ne Chahne Wale Nirali Shaan

Quraan Khawani

  • Lal Patthar - Quraan Khaani

[Filmi qawwali]

[Filmi-ghazal]

  • Ghayal - Hazaron khwahishein aisi ki har khwahish pe dam nikale )

Punjabi Songs

In the 40s and 50s G.M. Durrani was the senior Punjabi singer-actor from Mohammad Rafi. K.L. Saigal died on 18 January 1947. Then G. M. Durrani was the most senior Punjabi singer-actor. Durrani tried to make his own identity and style as a playback singer and not try to follow the K. L. Saigal type of singing. In future, all singers like Mohd. Rafi, Talat Mahmood, Manna Dey, Kishore Kumar etc. were influenced with Durrani. They followed the style of Durrani. Top singer Noor Jehan was expecting for duets with G. M. Durrani to be the other singers. A few songs are here:
  • Lara Lappa - Mela Do Din Da
  • Lara Lappa - Akhiyan Wich Akhiyan Rehan De, etc.

Pashto Song

  • Mayin pa ta yam -

Short career

Manna Dey says on page 190-191 in Memories Come Alive:
"Durrani-ji had a mellifluous voice, but lacked staying power and failed to survive as a singer. To reach the heights of success, it is necessary to be practical as well and this is where Durrani-ji fell short. I learnt a great deal from his failure. I realized that when a producer spends a fortune on his film, he expects everyone in his team to put in his best effort to make it a success. And putting in one's best meant being ingenious and innovative, qualities without which an artiste is likely to get lost in the wilderness. That, precisely, is what happened to Durrani-ji and I cannot help feeling sorry for the way his career turned out."
- Manna Dey

Spirituality & Death

G. M. Durrani had become spiritually inclined because of which he slowly left the industry. In an interview with Ameen Sayani in 1978, he said that he got bored of the materialistic world of Bollywood and started avoiding film personalities. He started keeping a beard so nobody would recognize him. He sold all his luxurious items and started giving away money from his bank account to various Faqirs. Finally, he shifted to a small house and opened a general merchant shop after taking a loan.
He died in Mumbai on 8 September 1988.

Some Famous Songs

A few of his famous songs are:
  • Nai Kahani - Neend Hamari Khwab Tumhare
  • Namaste - Dil Ke Pat khole ke dekhe
  • Chaand - Ae Dil Mujhe rone De
  • Nargis - Ye to bata mere khuda, lut gaya mera pyar kyun
  • Shama - Ek yaad kisi ki yaad rahi
  • Magroor - Hum to tere dil ke bangle mein aana mangta
  • Shair - Do Bichhde Huye Dil
  • Hum Log - Gaaye chala jaa
  • Kurmai - Dil ainj ainj karda
  • Mirza Sahiban - Haath seene pe jo rakh do to qarar aa jaye
  • Baghdad - Dil-e beqarar kahe baar baar
  • Izzat - Dhoondhta hoon har jagha kahin nahin tera pata
  • Hum Sab Chor Hain - Hum ko hansta dekh zamana jalta hai
  • Sunehre Qadam - Ye ghar aap ka hai