Nazir Ali (1945 – 5 January 2003) was a Pakistani film music director. He is widely considered as the "King of dhamaal" in Pakistan.
He composed 123 songs in 39 Urdu films and 435 songs in 115 Punjabi films. He won 2 Nigar Awards during his music career over three decades.
Nazir Ali was born in Gakhar Mandi, Gujranwala district, British India in 1945. In 1961, he started his music career as an assistant musician for M. Ashraf, a musical duo. He also assisted musicians Bakhshi-Wazir and Tassaduq Hussain for some time. Finally, he gained a chance as a solo music director with a film, "Paidagir" that was released in 1966.
He got his first breakthrough as a musician from a film 'dhamaal', "Lal meri pat rakhiyo" recorded in the voice of Noor Jehan for the movie, "Dilan De Sauday" (1969). His first Urdu movie, "Aansoo", was released in 1971 and included several hit tracks like, "Teray Bin Yon Gharyian Beetein" (vocalized by Masood Rana / Noor Jehan), "Jan e Jan Tu Jo kahay" (vocalized by Mehdi Hassan), and others. Afterwards, he became one the busiest music directors in Lollywood. Nazir composed 559 songs in 161 Urdu and Punjabi films. His last film "Gujjar 302" was released in 2001. Nazir Ali's prime was in the 1970s and the melodies he created have become part of the cultural heritage of Pakistan.
During the 1970s and the 1980s, Nazir popularized the Punjabi film music, leaving an indelible mark on it. He was the first music director to infuse a touch of sufi 'dhamaal' into conventional Punjabi tunes, resulting in a distinct style of music. In 1969, he began collaboration with Noor Jehan from the most famous dhamaal song, "Lal meri patt rakhio bhala jhole laalan" for the film "Dillan de soday". In 14 Punjabi movies, they both created enchantment with dhamaal songs. It was reportedly said by the music critics of that time, "Nazir Ali was firmly grounded in the Punjabi ang."
Nazir Ali received the best musician Nigar Awards for the following films:
Nazir Ali died on 5 January 2003, in Lahore, Pakistan.