The country is commemorating 86 th birthday of Pakistani music stalwart Sohail Rana today on 31, March 2024. How can we forget such a great day associated with one of the big names of the Pakistan music Industry who has always mesmerized our ears and soul for years with his countless melodious musical compositions: however, he is now based in Canada.
If we shed light on Sohail Rana’s marvelous melodic creations we would definitely discover a huge list composing evergreen and everlasting tunes.
How did Rana come to the showbiz Industry?
According to available information, Sohail Rana was introduced during the industry by Chocolate Hero, Waheed Murad in the Pakistan film industry and gained popularity when singer Ahmed Rushdi sang his compositions in such films as Armaan and Doraha.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gD0RrDMFOLs
Few Patriotic creations of Sohail Rana:
Rana is the man behind numerous patriotic songs, including Sohni Dharti, Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan and Tera Pakistan Hai Yeh Hai Mera Pakistan Hai.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qY_gtUaUsM
Prominent contribution to the film industry:
The film Jab Se Dekha Hai Tumhain was Waheed Murad's second film as a producer and the musical debut of Sohail Rana. Some other popular songs of his are Ko Ko Korina, Bay taab ho udhar tum, Jab pyar mein do dil miltay hain, Oont pay baitha mera munna, which were recorded by Ahmed Rushdi.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFk1htxVyic
Sohail Rana composed the hit songs for the golden jubilee film, Heera Aur Pathar, released on 11 December 1964. The film completed 68 houseful weeks. The film became a musical hit, and Sohail Rana became a well-known name in the Pakistani film industry. The composition of Mujhay tum say mohabbat hai (singers: Ahmed Rushdi and Najma Niazi, and Ja ja ray chanda ja ray (singer: Mala earned him some fame for the above film.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2egK7whteUA
Pakistan's first platinum jubilee film was Armaan (1966). It is an epic tale of broken hearts and broken dreams. The evergreen song Akele na jaana (singer: Mala), with sixty-five musicians back then, the biggest orchestra ever gathered until then in Pakistani cinema. Further, Sohail Rana won the prestigious Nigar Award and Graduate awards for the best composer for the film Armaan (1966 film).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9GPeNveF0s
Television:
Additionally, he devoted his time to compose over 2000 songs for children. His program for children were telecast from PTV for 19 years from 1968 to 1987, from Kaliyoan Ki Mala, to Sang Sang Chaltay Rehna.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dcn7TH_62II
Awards and recognition
- Pride of Performance in (1981) by the President of Pakistan
- Gold Discs from EMI in (1974) for his vinyl album, Khyber Mail
- Pakistani television (PTV) awarded him with PTV Awards in 1982 and 1989
- Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007 from Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV)
- Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) Award by the President of Pakistan in 2012.
- Nigar Award as Best Music Director for Armaan (1966 film).
- He was also given the United Nations Peace Messenger Award, conferred on him, at the United Nations headquarters in New York in 1987.