‘Meri Zindagi Hai Naghma’ to be screened today

Islamabad 

Director, Script, Lyrics: Shevan Rizvi

Music: Nisar Bazmi

Cast: Rangila, Sangeeta, Qavi, Saiqa, Aslam Pervaiz  

Mandwa Film Club of Lok Virsa is screening lyricist- director Shevan Rizvi;s 1972 musical ‘Meri Zindagi Hai Naghma’ today (Saturday), at 6 p.m.

Shevan Rizvi was a popular name in Indian film industry in the sixties. His teaming with composer O P Nayyar resulted in many hit songs of the decade.

He migrated to Pakistan in the late-sixties and settled down in Karachi. His major venture as lyricist in Karachi was ‘Salgirah.’ Composed by Nashad, song ‘Meri Zindagi Hai Naghma’ rendered by Noorjehan and filmed on Shamim Ara was smash hit of the year.

By early-seventies, film activities of Karachi had pretty much shifted to Lahore and so did Shevan Rizvi He ventured into direction (which was not his field at the first place) with his own earlier title from ‘Salgirah’and ‘Meri Zindagi Hai Naghma.’

The year1972 was being governed by directors like Pervaiz Malik (‘Merey Hamsafar’), Iqbal Yousaf (Hill Station), S Suleman (‘Ilzam’) Raza Mir (Nagmani), M Sadiq (Baharo Phool Barsao) Fareed Ahmad (Angarey) and above all, Hassan Tariq (Umrao Jan Ada).

It was difficult for Shevan Rizvi to make a place with these names around but he did well. ‘Meri Zindagi Hai Naghma’ was produced on shoestring budget with no production values at all.

Rangila, Sangeeta, Saiqa and Qavi all came handy. The only big name in the credits was Nisar Bazmi and music turned out to be perhaps the only saving factor of the film. Rendered by Mehdi Hassan, Rangila and Noorjehan, two melodies were on top of the charts: ‘Ek husan ki devi sey’ and ‘Tera kisi pey aye dil.’

The film revolves around Rangila and Sangeeta, supported by Saiqa, Qavi and Aslam Pervaiz. Rangila not only gave playback but also appeared in double role as visually impaired radio singer and his lost and found son. Aslam Pervaiz is seen as debauch cliche-ridden villain which he had been doing since ‘Neend’.

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