Khalil Ahmed

Khalil Ahmed (March 3, 1936 – July 22, 1997) was a well-known Pakistani composer for films. He started his career with film Aanchal (1962) and remained one of the leading music directors in Pakistan in the 1960s.

Early life and career

Khalil Ahmed made his music debut with director Al-Hamid's film Aanchal (1962), which was released on December 7, 1962. Starring: Shamim Ara, Darpan, Saba and Talish. The song "kisi chaman mein raho,bahar ban ke raho" (singer Ahmed Rushdi) became a smash hit in Pakistan and established Khalil's name as a film composer. He quickly became one of the stalwarts of Pakistani music. Khalil also used to be the host of a music program for children, which was telecast from the Pakistan Television,Lahore station it was called " Hum Kaliyan Hum Taare" with co- host Nayyara Noor, Tahira Syed etc.

Khalil Ahmed always had his finger on the pulse of what the listeners wanted to hear on radio, television and in his films. He composed music for film Khamosh Raho (1964) and recorded a Nazm in Ahmed Rushdi's voice Mein nahi manta (lyrics Habib Jalib) which gained him country-wide fame. He also gave hit music of film Khilona (1967). The songs "Chand se chandni" and "Gul kahoon khushboo kahoon" both recorded in Ahmed Rushdi's voice were very popular. An accomplished composer for television and films, Khalil's many contributions to music have embedded themselves in the Pakistani psyche. Example:"Uss kay gham ko kya kahayye" (singer: Mehdi Hassan, film Guriya, producer-director: Himayat Ali Shayer. This film could not be released. Khalil Ahmed was a specialist in sad compositions and he became one of the top composers of 1960s after composing the songs of film Kaneez (1965 film). Song "Jab rat dhali tum yaad aye" (singer Mala and Ahmed Rushdi) became a popular song. Khalil Ahmed was one of Pakistan film industry's prominent musicians in the 1960s.