Tanvir Naqvi


Tanvir Naqvi, also spelled Tanveer Naqvi, was a British Indian and later Pakistani film songs lyricist and poet.
He wrote lyrics for over 200 films, including Lollywood and Bollywood films. He made his debut in Indian cinema with Swami film directed by Abdul Rashid Kardar, and later remained active in Pakistani film industry for over fifteen years. Naqvi earned recognition after writing "Aawaz De Kaha Hai" song for Anmol Ghadi and "Rang Laayega Shaheedon Ka Lahoo" song covering 1965 India-Pakistan war.

Early life and career

He was born in 1919 in Lahore, British India. He originally belonged to a family of Persian writers from Iran and started writing poetry at the age of 15, He later married notable singer and actress Noor Jehan's older sister, Eidan Bai. His first poetry collection, Sunehre Sapne, was published by the time he was 21, in 1940.
As a film songs lyricist, he started his career around 1946 at early age, but after moving to Pakistan, he wrote lyrics for Urdu and Punjabi language films, including Pakistan's first feature film Teri Yaad. He also wrote for Salma, Noor Jehan's first film exclusively as a playback singer.
In 1933, he went to Bombay when the film director Abdur Rashid Kardar invited him there. Prior to his debut in films, he was writing ghazals, but later wrote songs for Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi films. He is also credited for writing lyrics for Pakistan's patriotic song titled "Rang Laye Ga Shaheedon Ka Lahoo", sung by Noor Jehan. He wrote this song from one of his poems. During his career, he wrote two prominent naats such as "Shah-e-Madina Yasrab Ke Wali" and "Jo Na Hota Tera Jamal Hi". Before the split of Indian subcontinent, Naqvi was recognized one of the greatest classical writers in Punjabi poetry and literature between the 1950s and 1970s.
After partition, the Pakistan film industry didn't produce many films, and by the end of 1952, it had made only five films. Later, Khwaja Khurshid Anwar, a Pakistani filmmaker and a music director teamed up with several other people, including Tanvir Naqvi as songwriter. The team succeeded in making some films between 1956 and 1959, focused on psychological issues experienced by actors due to multiple cultural conflicts.

Filmography

#TitleYearType/Credited asRemarks
1Anmol Ghadi1946LyricistWrote the highly popular song Aawaz De Kahan Hai, composed by Naushad for this film
2Jugnu1947Lyricist
3Teri Yaad1948LyricistThis was the first released film in Pakistan after independence in 1947. However, none of its film songs became popular.
4Naata1955Lyricist
5Shirin Farhad1956LyricistTanvir Naqvi wrote the still popular film song for this Indian film Guzra Hua Zamana, Aata Nahin Dobara sung by Lata Mangeshkar, music by S. Mohinder
6Anarkali1958LyricistWrote the song Kahan Tak Sunoge, Kahan Tak Sunauon, sung by Noor Jehan and music composed by Master Inayat Hussain
7Jhoomer1959LyricistWrote the hit song Chali Re Chali Re, Barri Aas Laga Ke Chali Re, sung by Nahid Niazi and composed by Khwaja Khurshid Anwar
8Neend1959LyricistWrote popular film song Akeli Kahin Matt Jana, Zamana Nazuk Hai sung by Noor Jehan, Zubaida Khanum and Nasim Begum, music by Rashid Attre
9Koel (film)1959LyricistWon Best Lyricist Nigar Award for film songs in Koel.
  • Note: Film Koel was the 'magnum opus ' of Tanvir Naqvi's film career:
Wrote the following highly popular film songs:Rim Jhim Rim Jhim Parray Phuaar, Tera Mera Nit Ka PyaarDil Jala Na Dil Waalay sung by Zubaida Khanum, music by Khwaja Khurshid AnwarTeray Bina Sooni Sooni Laage Re Chandani RaatSaagar Roey, Lehrein Shorr Machaain, Yaad Piya Ki Aaye, Naina Bhar AaenDil Ka Diya Jalaya Mein Ne
10Shaam Dhalay1960LyricistWon Best Lyricist Nigar Award for film songs in Shaam Dhalay
11Salma1960LyricistWrote the film's popular song Zindagi Hai Ya Kisi Ka Intezar
12Gulfaam1961LyricistWrote the film song Yeh Naz, Yeh Andaz, Yeh Jadoo, Yeh Adaaen sung by Saleem Raza, music by Rashid Attre
13Ghunghat1962LyricistWrote film song Kabhi Hum Bhi Tum Se Thay Ashna, Tumhein Yaad Ho Ke Na Yaad Ho sung by Noor Jehan, music by Khurshid Anwar
14Azra1962LyricistWrote Jaan-e-Baharan-Rashk-e-Chaman film song, sung by Saleem Raza composed by Inayat Hussain
15Seema1963Lyricist
16Hamraz1967Lyricist
17Behan Bhai1968Scriptwriter
18Att Khuda Da Vair1970LyricistWrote the highly popular Punjabi film song Jadon Hauli Jai Laenda Mera Naam, sung by Noor Jehan, music composed by Bakhshi Wazir
19Dosti (Pakistani film)1971LyricistWon Best Lyricist Nigar Award for film songs in Dosti - Chitthi Zara Sayyan Ji Ke Naam Likh De

Death

He died on 1 November 1972 in Lahore, Pakistan and was buried in Miani Sahib Graveyard in Lahore, Pakistan.