Industry mourns loss of Lollywood composer Wajahat Attray

Industry mourns loss of veteran musician who breathed his last yesterday

LAHORE: Lollywood’s leading composer Wajahat Attray breathed his last yesterday following a cardiac arrest. The artist who was partially paralysed after suffering a brain stroke last month passed away at 68 years of age. As the news of his deteriorating health surfaced on social media back then, the cream of Bollywood musicians, including Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal, came forth to help the ailing musician, who continued to compose music even during times of financial crisis.

The man who composed music for more than 150 Pakistani films – including box office hits such as Sholay, Mukhra and Ishq Khuda – was surprisingly not offered help from the Pakistani government. Wajahat’s son, Ali Attray told The Express Tribune, “Indian singers were continuously asking me about my father’s health and offerings free treatment in India but the Government of Pakistan didn’t bother to help us. Many of them including Daler Mehndi have conveyed their condolences and acknowledged the fact that my father was a legend in the field of music. It is extremely sad that he has left us.”



Earlier this year, Ali revealed he was particularly taken aback by the fact that it was not just the government that had remained ignorant on this matter; but the members of the film and music fraternity never paid his father a visit either. These included artists such as Anwar Rafi and Humera Arshad, who started off their careers with Wajahat’s constant advice and assistance. However, some of Wajahat’s colleagues mourned his passing. “He was a well-respected man who taught music to many others and gained fame around the globe for his work,” said lyricist Altaf Bajwa.

PHOTO:FILE

Concurring with him, senior film director Altaf Hussain, who worked with Wajahat at the peak of his career, said “He worked with me and with almost every big director of that time. He was an exemplary man and was presented with many awards for his services to the music industry.”

The late artist was famous for recording various hits by Madam Noor Jehan. “Many other famous musicians of the yesteryears sung on Wajahat Attray’s music,” added Bajwa. “He was a beautiful soul and a professional music composer. He and his father Rashid Attray composed over 3000 songs which were known for their timeless poetry. He will be missed forever,” said music composer Ustad Tafu.



Wajahat’s deteriorating health was not the first case in which an ailing artist requested the government for its support. In many cases, the government has also risen up to the occasion but certain factions in the entertainment industry are of the opinion that dedicated guilds for artists is the only permanent solution to this recurring problem.

Wajahat’s funeral prayers were held yesterday in Samanabad, Lahore.

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