An expert vocalist and harmonium player, Mohammed Hussain was very popular in north India because of his entertaining mehfils, or musical soirées, of Hindustani classical and light classical music. The name 'Naginawale' was often affixed to his name, after his native town, Nagina, in Uttar Pradesh's Bijnor district.
Hussain made many recordings during his musical career. Around 1905, he is said to have recorded on phonograph cylinders, one of the earliest mediums for recording and reproducing sound commercially, in Calcutta and Delhi, although none of these have been traced so far.
In early 1907, he recorded 30 songs in Delhi in a session conducted by William Conrad Gaisberg of The Gramophone Company. The label on one of his recordings has the word 'Delhi' below his name, which was spelt in a variety of ways (see below).
Later that year, the company then drew up a contract with Hussain, according to which he was supposed to give 30 recordings per year. This contract was to be in force until the end of August, 1910.
A dadra in Keharawa tala, Tarkari Lelo Malan Jo Aai is a song about a woman who sells vegetables, recorded by The Gramaphone Company. It illustrates Hussain's talent both as a vocalist and a harmonium player.
He was to be paid Rs 20 per month as a retainer's fee and Rs 12 for each recording successfully completed and produced by the company. He also agreed not to record for anyone else except for honouring a contract for cylinder recordings in Delhi. In March 1908, he gave 30 disc recordings in Kolkata.
In April that year, while visiting Mumbai to give a concert, the owners of the Ramagraph and Singer record companies contacted him and he recorded some songs for them too, ignoring the agreement he had signed with The Gramophone Company. He even recorded the same songs for the three companies.
Hori, Kaisi Hori Khelu Sanvariya Ke Sang, recorded by the Ramagraph company
All recording companies in those days sent their wax master copies to Germany for processing. By mid-1910, pressed discs began to appear in Indian record shops and flew off the shelves. The rise in sales led to a series of long lawsuits between recording companies, without, however, involving their star singer.
The companies finally agreed that they would destroy all wax masters and unsold disc copies, amounting to about 100 songs. Hussain also seems to have accepted his wrongdoing, and in April 1910 signed another, three-year contract with The Gramophone Company. By 1914, again his records on all labels began to appear in the market. He continued recording until about 1930, including on new labels such as Cynch and Shahenshahi.
Raga Jogia, Mohe Piya Milanko Jane De, recorded by Singer
Very few records have survived so it is difficult to prepare a list of his songs. But two books, Gramophone Ke Photo, published in 1918, and Hindi Gramophone Sangeet, published in 1935, give the lyrics of about fifty songs rendered by this famous singer.
What made his music and records so popular warrants study. But here are two final pieces in which the listener can enjoy both his singing and harmonium playing.
Chadho Tum Railpar Yaro Ajayab Ye Savari Hai, an interesting song about the railways as a mode of transport
Raga Malhar Dhoma, Garaj Garaj Barasan Ko
Hussain made many recordings during his musical career. Around 1905, he is said to have recorded on phonograph cylinders, one of the earliest mediums for recording and reproducing sound commercially, in Calcutta and Delhi, although none of these have been traced so far.
In early 1907, he recorded 30 songs in Delhi in a session conducted by William Conrad Gaisberg of The Gramophone Company. The label on one of his recordings has the word 'Delhi' below his name, which was spelt in a variety of ways (see below).
Later that year, the company then drew up a contract with Hussain, according to which he was supposed to give 30 recordings per year. This contract was to be in force until the end of August, 1910.
A dadra in Keharawa tala, Tarkari Lelo Malan Jo Aai is a song about a woman who sells vegetables, recorded by The Gramaphone Company. It illustrates Hussain's talent both as a vocalist and a harmonium player.
He was to be paid Rs 20 per month as a retainer's fee and Rs 12 for each recording successfully completed and produced by the company. He also agreed not to record for anyone else except for honouring a contract for cylinder recordings in Delhi. In March 1908, he gave 30 disc recordings in Kolkata.
In April that year, while visiting Mumbai to give a concert, the owners of the Ramagraph and Singer record companies contacted him and he recorded some songs for them too, ignoring the agreement he had signed with The Gramophone Company. He even recorded the same songs for the three companies.
Hori, Kaisi Hori Khelu Sanvariya Ke Sang, recorded by the Ramagraph company
All recording companies in those days sent their wax master copies to Germany for processing. By mid-1910, pressed discs began to appear in Indian record shops and flew off the shelves. The rise in sales led to a series of long lawsuits between recording companies, without, however, involving their star singer.
The companies finally agreed that they would destroy all wax masters and unsold disc copies, amounting to about 100 songs. Hussain also seems to have accepted his wrongdoing, and in April 1910 signed another, three-year contract with The Gramophone Company. By 1914, again his records on all labels began to appear in the market. He continued recording until about 1930, including on new labels such as Cynch and Shahenshahi.
Raga Jogia, Mohe Piya Milanko Jane De, recorded by Singer
Very few records have survived so it is difficult to prepare a list of his songs. But two books, Gramophone Ke Photo, published in 1918, and Hindi Gramophone Sangeet, published in 1935, give the lyrics of about fifty songs rendered by this famous singer.
What made his music and records so popular warrants study. But here are two final pieces in which the listener can enjoy both his singing and harmonium playing.
Chadho Tum Railpar Yaro Ajayab Ye Savari Hai, an interesting song about the railways as a mode of transport
Raga Malhar Dhoma, Garaj Garaj Barasan Ko
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!