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{{short description |Pakistani archivist}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Use Pakistani English|date=August 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Lutfullah Khan<br>'''لطف الله خان'''
| name = Lutfullah Khan<br>'''لطف الله خان'''
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| caption =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1916|11|25}} <!-- {{Birth date and age|df=yes|YYYY|MM|DD}} or {{Birth-date and age|df=yes|Month DD, YYYY}} -->
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=y|1916|11|25}}
| birth_place = [[Madras]] ([[British India]])
| birth_place = [[Madras]] ([[British India]])
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2012|03|03|1916|11|25}} <!-- {{Death-date and age|Month DD, YYYY|Month DD, YYYY}} (death date then birth date) -->
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=y|2012|03|03|1916|11|25}}
| death_place = [[Karachi]], [[Pakistan]]
| death_place = [[Karachi]], Pakistan
| nationality =
| nationality = Pakistani
| other_names =
| other_names =
| known_for = Voice Collection Archives
| known_for = [[Archivist]] known for his Voice Collection Archives
| occupation =
| occupation = archivist, writer
| awards = [[Pride of Performance]] Award by the [[President of Pakistan]] in 2012
}}
}}


'''Lutfullah Khan''' ([[Urdu]] '''لطف الله خان''') (25 November 1916 – 3 March 2012) was an author, [[Collecting|collector]], [[archivist]], and [[hobbyist]] from [[Pakistan]]. He was best known for his rare collection of [[voice recording]]s of renowned artists, poets, writers and other eminent individuals from [[Pakistan]] and [[South Asia]].<ref>http://www.dawn.com/news/699950/renowned-archivist-lutfullah-khan-passes-away, 'Lutfullah Khan passes away' on Dawn newspaper, Retrieved 2 March 2016</ref>
'''Lutfullah Khan''' ([[Urdu]] '''لطف الله خان''') (25 November 1916 – 3 March 2012) was a [[Collecting|collector]], [[archivist]], [[hobbyist]] and an author from [[Pakistan]]. He was best known for his rare collection of [[voice recording]]s of renowned artists, poets, writers and other eminent individuals from [[Pakistan]] and South Asia.<ref name="Dawn">[https://www.dawn.com/news/699950/renowned-archivist-lutfullah-khan-passes-away Renowned archivist Lutfullah Khan passes away] Dawn newspaper, Published 3 March 2012, Retrieved 10 September 2023</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
⚫
Lutfullah Khan was born in [[Madras]], now called [[Chennai]] in ([[British India]]) on 25 November 1916.<ref name="Dawn"/><ref name=RadioPakistan/> His father worked for the [[South Indian Railway Company]]. Lutfullah gained his basic education in [[Madras]] but moved to [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]] in search of work when he was still a teenager. In 1938, he moved to [[Bombay]] to work for the rationing department in [[British India]]. He migrated to [[Pakistan]] on 17 October 1947, after the [[Partition of India|independence]] of [[Pakistan]], and settled in [[Karachi]] where he joined the advertising business and remained in this profession for more than 50 years.<ref name="Dawn"/><ref name="tribune1">{{cite news|last=Masood |first=Tooba |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/345123/lutfullah-khan-master-archivist-of-the-subcontinents-music-passes-away-at-95/ |title=Lutfullah Khan, master archivist of the subcontinent's music, passes away at 95 |newspaper=The Express Tribune newspaper |date=4 March 2012|access-date=10 September 2023}}</ref><ref name=paknetmag/>

⚫
Lutfullah Khan was born in [[Madras]] ([[British India]]) on 25 November 1916.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-4-96884-Glowing-tributes-paid--to-Lutfullah-Khan |title=Glowing tributes paid to Lutfullah Khan |publisher=Thenews.com.pk |date= |accessdate=12 March 2012}}</ref> His father worked for the [[South Indian Railway Company]]. Lutfullah gained his basic education in [[Madras]] but moved to [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]] in search of work when he was still a teenager. In 1938, he moved to [[Bombay]] to work for the rationing department in [[British India]]. He migrated to [[Pakistan]] on 17 October 1947, after the [[Pakistan Movement|independence]] of [[Pakistan]], and settled in [[Karachi]].<ref name="tribune1">{{cite web|last=Masood |first=Tooba |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/345123/lutfullah-khan-master-archivist-of-the-subcontinents-music-passes-away-at-95/ |title=Lutfullah Khan, master archivist of the subcontinent's music, passes away at 95 – The Express Tribune |publisher=Tribune.com.pk |date=4 March 2012|accessdate=2 March 2016}}</ref>


== Music career ==
== Music career ==
⚫
Lutfullah Khan was passionate about music and singing from his childhood.<ref name=paknetmag/> He signed an agreement in 1933 for classical singing with the [[Indian Broadcasting Service]].<ref name="tripod">{{cite web|url=https://members.tripod.com/oldies_club/lutfullah_khan.htm |title=Lutfullah Khan 'Biography' |publisher=tripod.com website |access-date=10 September 2023}}</ref> He performed publicly at the age of 19 in 1935, when he performed in a two-hour radio concert in [[Madras]] and played [[Karnatic music]].<ref name="tribune1"/> Known as Madras Radio Artist, he sang [[Ghazals]] at a function of Muslim Students Association of [[St. Xavier's College, Mumbai|St. Xaviers College]] in January 1939 and rendered classical singing in Bombay in December the same year. Between 1963 and 1988, he practised singing with Abdul Shakoor Khan of [[Kirana gharana]], and explored the intricacies of only one raag, the [[Darbari Kanada|Darbari]].<ref name="tripod"/><ref name=paknetmag/>

⚫
Lutfullah Khan signed an agreement in 1933 for classical singing with the [[Indian Broadcasting Service]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://members.tripod.com/oldies_club/lutfullah_khan.htm |title=Lutfullah Khan 'Biography' |publisher=Members.tripod.com |date= |accessdate=2 March 2016}}</ref> He performed publicly at the age of 19 in 1935, when he performed in a two-hour radio concert in [[Madras]] and played [[Karnatic music]].<ref name="tribune1"/> Known as Madras Radio Artist, he sang [[Ghazals]] at a function of Muslim Students Association of [[St. Xavier's College, Mumbai|St. Xaviers College]] in January 1939 and rendered classical singing in Bombay in December the same year. Between 1963 and 1988, he practised singing with Abdul Shakoor Khan of [[Kirana gharana]], and explored the intricacies of only one raag, the [[Darbari Kanada|Darbari]].


== Voice collection ==
== Voice collection ==
⚫
Luftullah was known for his unique collection of voice recordings. In 1951,<ref>[https://www.dawn.com/news/631637/children-learn-ways-to-preserve-historical-records Children learn ways to preserve historical records] Dawn newspaper, Published 25 May 2011, Retrieved 10 September 2023</ref> when he started his [[advertising agency]], one of his clients imported a ''Sound Mirror'' audio tape recorder. Lutfullhah bought the machine and 22 tapes for [[Pakistani rupee]] 1,146 and 10 annas (the machine and the receipt forms a part of his collection). He performed his first sound recording, which was the voice of his mother, on 29 July 1951.<ref name=paknetmag/> Later, he started recording radio programs for drama, music, poetry, prose, fine arts, religion and education. He went on collecting voices of notable personalities, especially speeches of political leaders and politicians, and narrations of authors' own works. He maintained a minutely detailed catalogue for all the tapes on different subjects.<ref name="tripod"/>


In its obituary, ''[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]'' newspaper remarked, "It was a testimony to his zeal for the arts that artists and men of letters loved to visit his studio for recording sessions."<ref name="Dawn"/>
⚫
Luftullah was known for his unique collection of voice recordings. In 1951,<ref>http://www.dawn.com/news/631637/children-learn-ways-to-preserve-historical-records, Article on records preservation in Dawn, Karachi newspaper, Retrieved 2 March 2016</ref> when he started his [[advertising agency]], one of his clients imported a ''Sound Mirror'' audio tape recorder. Lutfullhah bought the machine and 22 tapes for [[Pakistani rupee|Rs.]] 1,146 and 10 annas (the machine and the receipt forms a part of his collection). He performed his first sound recording, which was the voice of his mother, on 29 July 1951. Later, he started recording radio programs for drama, music, poetry, prose, fine arts, religion and education. He went on collecting voices of notable personalities, especially speeches of political leaders and politicians, and narrations of authors' own works. He maintained a minutely detailed catalogue for all the tapes on different subjects.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ahwaal.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10620%3A2012-03-09-23-31-00&catid=36%3A2011-09-24-10-29-23&Itemid=36&lang=ur |title=احوال – لطف اللہ خان |publisher=Ahwaal.com |date=21 November 2011 |accessdate=2 March 2016}}</ref>


===Music archives===
In music, his collection is organised into subcategories:
In music, his collection is organised into many subcategories:<ref name="tripod"/>


* [[Instrumental Music]] that includes [[Sarod]] (notably [[Hafiz Ali Khan]] and [[Ali Akbar Khan]]), [[Sitar]] (notably [[Enayat Khan]], [[Vilayat Khan]], [[Ravi Shankar]] and [[Sharif Khan Poonchwaley]]), [[Shehnai]] (notably [[Bismillah Khan]]), [[Flute]] (notably Panna Lah Ghosh), Tabla (notably [[Ahmed Jan Thirakwa]], [[Alla Rakha]]) and [[Sarangi]] (notably [[Bundu Khan]])
* [[Instrumental Music]] that includes [[Sarod]] (notably [[Hafiz Ali Khan]] and [[Ali Akbar Khan]]), [[Sitar]] (notably [[Enayat Khan]], [[Vilayat Khan]], [[Ravi Shankar]] and [[Sharif Khan Poonchwaley]]), [[Shehnai]] (notably [[Bismillah Khan]]), [[Flute]] (notably [[Pannalal Ghosh]]), Tabla (notably [[Ahmed Jan Thirakwa]], [[Alla Rakha]]) and [[Sarangi]] (notably [[Bundu Khan]])
* Classical Music that includes notably [[Bade Ghulam Ali Khan]], Fayyaz Hussain Khan, Moizuddin Khan, Chand Khan Zakir brothers and so on.
* Classical Music that includes notably [[Bade Ghulam Ali Khan]], Fayyaz Hussain Khan, Moizuddin Khan, Chand Khan, Zakir Brothers.
* [[Semi-classical music]] that includes [[Thumri]], Pahari, [[Dadra]], [[Kafi]], [[Bhajan]] etc.
* [[Semi-classical music]] that includes [[Thumri]], Pahari, [[Dadra]], [[Kafi]], [[Bhajan]] etc.
* [[Ghazals]] including notably [[Begum Akhtar]], [[Sehgal]], [[Shamshad Begum]], Rauf Dakkani, Mukhtar Begum, Mushtri Bai, '''Salamat Ali Khan''', [[Amanat Ali Khan]], and [[Roshan Ara Begum]] etc. It also includes 318 ghazals of [[Mehdi Hassan]].
* [[Ghazals]] including notably [[Begum Akhtar]], [[Sehgal]], [[Shamshad Begum]], Rauf Dakkani, [[Mukhtar Begum]], Mushtri Bai, [[Salamat Ali Khan]], [[Amanat Ali Khan]], and [[Roshan Ara Begum]]. It also includes 318 ghazals of [[Mehdi Hassan]].
* [[Folk music of Pakistan|Folk music]]
* [[Folk music of Pakistan|Folk music]]
* [[Qawali]]
* [[Qawali]] music
* songs from other genres.
* songs from other genres


===Literary archives===
The [[Urdu literature]] section is divided into poetry and prose. Poetry contains the work of 800 poets. [[Faiz Ahmad Faiz]] and [[Akhtar ul Iman]] recorded their entire work for his library. Some of the other names are [[Jagan Nath Azad]], [[Sufi Ghulam Mustafa Tabassum]], [[Parveen Shakir]], [[Josh Malihabadi]], [[Jigar Moradabadi]], Khatir Ghaznavi, [[Ali Sardar Jafri]], [[Kaifi Azmi]], [[Ahmad Faraz]] etc. Prose contains such items as Aal Ahmed Suroor, [[Ibrahim Jalees]], [[Patras Bokhari]], [[Imtiaz Ali Taj]], Hayat ullah Ansari, [[Rajinder Singh Bedi]], Joginder Paal, [[Chiragh Hasan Hasrat]], Anwar Sadid, [[Khadija Mastoor]], [[Rasheed Ahmad Siddiqi]], Zakir Hussain and many more.
The [[Urdu literature]] section is divided into poetry and prose. Poetry contains the work of 800 poets. [[Faiz Ahmad Faiz]] and [[Akhtar ul Iman]] recorded their entire work for his library. Some of the other names are [[Jagan Nath Azad]], [[Sufi Ghulam Mustafa Tabassum]], [[Parveen Shakir]], [[Josh Malihabadi]], [[Jigar Moradabadi]], [[Khatir Ghaznavi]], [[Ali Sardar Jafri]], [[Kaifi Azmi]], [[Ahmad Faraz]], [[Ismat Chughtai]], [[Noon Meem Rashid]], [[Z.A. Bukhari]] and others.<ref name="Dawn2"/> Prose contains such items as [[Ale Ahmad Suroor]], [[Ibrahim Jalees]], [[Patras Bokhari]], [[Imtiaz Ali Taj]], [[Hayatullah Ansari]], [[Rajinder Singh Bedi]], Joginder Paal, [[Chiragh Hasan Hasrat]], Anwar Sadid, [[Khadija Mastoor]], [[Rasheed Ahmad Siddiqi]], Zakir Hussain and many more.


===Politicians===
The scholars and speeches sections include names like [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]], [[Liaqat Ali Khan]], [[Gandhi]], A.K. Barohi, Sir [[Muhammad Zafarullah Khan]], [[Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy]], Dr. [[Salimuzzaman Siddiqui]], Karrah Hussain, [[Bahadur Yar Jung]], [[Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani]], [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto]], [[Rajendra Prasad]].
The scholars and speeches sections include names like [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]], [[Liaqat Ali Khan]], [[Gandhi]], [[A. K. Brohi]], Sir [[Muhammad Zafarullah Khan]], [[Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy]], Dr. [[Salimuzzaman Siddiqui]], Karrah Hussain, [[Bahadur Yar Jung]], [[Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani]], [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto]], [[Rajendra Prasad]].<ref name=RadioPakistan/>


===Religious leaders===
The religion section includes notably Syed Mohammad Razi, [[Zaheen Shah Taji]], [[Mufti Muhammad Shafi]], [[Allamah Rasheed Turabi]] etc. This also includes an [[exegesis]] of [[Quran]] in the voice of Ehtishamul Haq Thanvi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/entertainment/2012/03/120302_lutfullah_khan_dies_zs.shtml |title=BBC Urdu – فن فنکار – لطف اللہ خان انتقال کر گئے |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2 March 2016}}</ref>
The religion section includes notably Syed Mohammad Razi, [[Zaheen Shah Taji]], [[Mufti Muhammad Shafi]], [[Allamah Rasheed Turabi]]. This also includes an [[exegesis]] of [[Quran]] in the voice of [[Ehtisham ul Haq Thanvi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/entertainment/2012/03/120302_lutfullah_khan_dies_zs.shtml |title=BBC Urdu – فن فنکار – لطف اللہ خان انتقال کر گئے |website =BBC News website |date=3 March 2012|access-date=10 September 2023}}</ref>


===Painter artists===
The smaller but a unique section consists of interviews of artists like [[Jimmy Engineer]], Sir Iqbal Geoffrey, [[Iqbal Mehdi]], [[Bashir Mirza]], [[Sadequain]], Shakir Mirza etc.
The smaller but a unique section consists of interviews of artists like [[Jimmy Engineer]], [[Iqbal Geoffrey]], [[Eqbal Mehdi|Iqbal Mehdi]], [[Bashir Mirza]], [[Sadequain]], [[Shakir Ali (artist)|Shakir Ali]].


The story of this journey is penned in ''Tamashay-e-Ahal-e-Zauq'' that provides insights in efforts that were put to record them. Especially the struggle to record [[Faiz Ahmad Faiz|Faiz]] that is spread over time period of 20 years.
The story of this journey is penned in ''Tamashay-e-Ahal-e-Qalam''<ref name=RadioPakistan/> that provides insights in efforts that were put to record them. Especially the struggle to record [[Faiz Ahmad Faiz|Faiz]] that is spread over time period of 20 years.


In his last years, he was digitising his audio library by transferring tapes on DVDs and computerising the catalogue.
In his last years, he was digitising his audio library by transferring tapes on DVDs and computerising the catalogue.


== Photography and filming ==
== Photography and filming ==
⚫
Luftullah was also an avid photographer. While in [[Bombay]], he used to borrow a [[16mm film|16mm]] Kodak movie camera from a friend to make movies at different locations. While in [[Karachi]], he used to borrow a [[Rolleiflex]] camera from a friend who owned the Thackersons photography shop. He created albums of the city's old buildings and new build-ups that were taking shape to absorb the new country [[Pakistan]] and its administration. He made an album about ''Business on footpath'' covering portable shops on Karachi's footpaths, right from small businesses to [[snake charmers]], palmists, lizard show, ear cleaner. There was another album called ''Business on wheels'' which shows fruit, vegetable, cloth, shoe merchants of Karachi on four-wheel carts. In 1951, he bought a Swiss made Bolex Paillard [[16mm film|16mm]] camera and started making documentaries.


⚫
One memorable documentary was about a cricket match between the [[Pakistani]] Prime minister, his cabinet and the parliament members at the [[Karachi Gymkhana]].<ref name="NewAgeIslam"/> One side was led by [[Mohammad Ali Bogra]] and the other by [[Maulvi Tamizuddin Khan]]. The minister Mr. Chittophadia was bowling in his [[dhoti]] and Tamizuddin was batting in his [[sherwani]], [[New Age Islam]] reported.<ref name="NewAgeIslam">{{cite web|url=https://newageislam.com/islamic-culture/lutfullah-khan-and-his-alam-e-junoon/d/2696 |title=Lutfullah Khan and His Alam-e-Junoon, Islamic Culture |publisher=Newageislam.com |date=14 April 2010 |access-date=10 September 2023}}</ref>
⚫
Luftullah was also an avid photographer. While in [[Bombay]], he used to borrow a [[16mm film|16mm]] Kodak movie camera from a friend to make movies at different locations. While in [[Karachi]], he used to borrow a [[Rolleiflex]] camera from a friend who owned the Thackersons photography shop. He created albums of the city's old buildings and new build-ups that were taking shape to absorb the new country [[Pakistan]] and its administration. He made an album about ''Business on footpath'' covering portable shops on Karachi's footpaths, right from small businesses to [[snake charmers]], palmists, lizard show, ear cleaner etc. There was another album called ''Business on wheels'' which shows fruit, vegetable, cloth, shoe etc. merchants of Karachi on four wheel carts. In 1951, he bought a Swiss made Boulex Pylord [[16mm film|16mm]] camera and started making documentaries.

⚫
One memorable documentary was about a cricket match between the [[Pakistani]] Prime minister, his cabinet and the parliament members at the [[Karachi Gymkhana]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chowk.com/Views/People/Lutfullah-Khan-and-His-Alam-e-Junoon |title=Lutfullah Khan and His Alam-e-Junoon - Chowk: India Pakistan Ideas Identities.com |publisher=Chowk |date= |accessdate=12 March 2012}}</ref> One side was led by [[Mohammad Ali Bogra]] and the other by [[Maulvi Tamizuddin Khan]]. The minister Mr. Chittophadia was bowling in his [[dhoti]] and Tamizuddin was batting in his [[sherwani]], [[New Age Islam]] reported.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newageislam.com/islamic-culture/lutfullah-khan-and-his-alam-e-junoon/d/2696 |title=Lutfullah Khan and His Alam-e-Junoon, Islamic Culture, Ayaz AbdalPhoto: Lutfullah Khan, New Age Islam |publisher=Newageislam.com |date= |accessdate=12 March 2012}}</ref>


== Other collections ==
== Other collections ==
⚫
His personal gallery displays rare photographs, photography equipment, sound recording equipment and accessories, drawing instrument and stationery items used in documenting the collections, International and Pakistani coins, stamps and matchboxes.<ref name="Dawn2">[https://www.dawn.com/news/402555/karachi-lutfullah-praised-for-his-collections Lutfullah Khan praised for his collections] Dawn newspaper, Published 5 November 2001, Retrieved 10 September 2023</ref>


⚫
A notable album in the collection of old [[Hindi cinema|Hindi]] and [[Hollywood movie|Hollywood]] movies posters, some of them dating back to the 1920s.<ref name=paknetmag/>
⚫
His personal gallery displays rare photographs, photography equipment, sound recording equipment and accessories, drawing instrument and stationary items used in documenting the collections, International and Pakistani coins, stamps and matchboxes.<ref>http://www.dawn.com/news/402555/karachi-lutfullah-praised-for-his-collections, 'Lutfullah Khan praised for his collections' in Dawn, Karachi, published 5 November 2001, Retrieved 2 March 2016</ref>

⚫
A notable album in the collection of old [[Hindi cinema|Hindi]] and [[Hollywood movie|Hollywood]] movies posters, some of them dating back to twenties.


He has also transcribed all the [[Urdu]] [[Ghazals]] of [[Mirza Ghalib]] into [[Latin script]].
He has also transcribed all the [[Urdu]] [[Ghazals]] of [[Mirza Ghalib]] into [[Latin script]].


== Literary works ==
==Literary works by him ==
⚫
Lutfullah authored a number of books in [[Urdu]]. Some of his works include ''Pehlu'' (1941), ''Bachpan ke Waqqaiyat'' (1991), ''Tamashay-e-Ahl-e-Qalam'' (1996), ''Sur Ki Talaash'' (1997), ''Hijraton Ke Silsile'' (an autobiography) (1998) and ''Zindagi Ik Safar'' (2000).<ref name="Dawn"/><ref name=RadioPakistan/>


==Awards and recognition==
⚫
Lutfullah authored a number of books in [[Urdu]]. Some of his works include ''Pehlu'' (1941), ''Bachpan ke Waqqiyat'' (1991), ''Tamashay-e-Ahl-e-Qalam'' (1996), ''Sur Ki Taalash'' (1997), ''Hijraton Ke Silsile'' (1998) and ''Zindagi Ik Safar'' (2000).
⚫
* Luftullah's biggest legacy is his tremendous collection of audio recordings. It is the biggest personal collection of distinct audios in the country, second biggest collection after [[Radio Pakistan]] archive, and one of the rarest collection of voices of the notable people of South Asia.
* His autobiography ''Hijraton Ke Silsile'' won the Prime Minister's award in 1998.<ref name=RadioPakistan>{{cite web |url=http://www.radio.gov.pk/newsdetail-18448|title=Renowned Expert of Voices Lutfullah Khan passes away |website=Radio Pakistan website |access-date=9 September 2023 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306014550/http://www.radio.gov.pk/newsdetail-18448 |archive-date=6 March 2012 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
* '''Kamal-e-Fun Award''' (Lifetime Achievement Award in Literature) from the [[Pakistan Academy of Letters]] in 2009.<ref>[https://www.dawn.com/news/578056 Kamal-e-Fun Award given to Lutfullah Khan] Dawn newspaper, Published 3 November 2010, Retrieved 10 September 2023</ref><ref name=RadioPakistan/><ref name=paknetmag/>
* [[Arts Council of Pakistan]], Karachi has named its audio-visual library as ''Lutfullah Khan Audio-Visual Library''.
* [[Pride of Performance]] Award from the [[President of Pakistan]] in 2012 for his services to Pakistan.<ref name="Dawn"/><ref name=paknetmag/>
⚫
* He was the 'guest of honor' on one episode of [[Geo News]] TV show ''Junoon-E-Gumgashta'' in 2011 hosted by [[Sania Saeed]] featuring his archival collections and his personal comments about them.
* Famous [[Pakistani television]] personality [[Anwar Maqsood Hameedi]] who was reportedly his friend for over 40 years, said after his death in 2012, that Lutfullah Khan protected and guarded his collection very diligently and "did not hand over his stuff to anyone else."<ref name="Dawn"/> Well-known poet [[Iftikhar Arif]] said, "If this nation is not able to preserve his collection, it will be a huge misfortune, because I’ve seen treasure troves being destroyed at radio and TV offices."<ref name="Dawn"/>


===Commemorative postage stamp===
== Legacy and awards ==
* [[Pakistan Post|Pakistan Post Office]] issued a commemorative postage stamp to recognize his services in its 'The Archivist' series in 2012<ref name=paknetmag>{{cite web|url=http://paknetmag.blogspot.com/search/label/Stamps%20of%20Pakistan%20Year%27s%202012|url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824175452/http://paknetmag.blogspot.com/search/label/Stamps%20of%20Pakistan%20Year%27s%202012 |title=Lutfullah Khan commemorative postage stamp and profile|website=paknetmag.com website (scroll down to read it)|archive-date=24 August 2019|access-date=10 September 2023}}</ref>

⚫
Luftullah's biggest legacy is his tremendous collection of audio recordings. It is the biggest personal collection of distinct audios in the country, second biggest collection after [[Radio Pakistan]] archive, and one of the rarest collection of voices of the notable people of [[South Asia]].

His autobiography ''Hijraton Ke Silsile'' won the Prime Minister's award in 1998.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radio.gov.pk/Urdu/newsdetail-10709 |title=Radio Pakistan-مرحوم محمد لطف اللہ خان جو آج ہم میں نہیں مگر انہیں ہمیش |publisher=Radio.gov.pk |date=5 March 2012 |accessdate=12 March 2012}}</ref> He was also bestowed Kamal-e-Fun Award<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pal.gov.pk/home/awards/kamal-e-fun-award.html |title=Kamal-e-Fun Award |publisher=Pal.gov.pk |date= |accessdate=2 March 2016}}</ref> by [[Pakistan Academy of Letters]] in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pakistaniat.com/2009/12/10/lutfullah-khan/ |title=Lutfullah Khan and his alam-e-shauq : ALL THINGS PAKISTAN |publisher=Pakistaniat.com |date= |accessdate=2 March 2016}}</ref>

The Arts Council of Karachi has named its audio-visual library after his name.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://search.jang.com.pk/details.asp?nid=601864 |title=لطف اللہ خان انتقال کرگئے،60 سال سے آوازیں محفوظ کررہے تھے |publisher=Search.jang.com.pk |date= |accessdate=12 March 2012}}</ref>
He received the [[Pride of Performance]] Award from the [[President of Pakistan]] in 2012 for his services to Pakistan.<ref>http://archives.dailytimes.com.pk/national/15-Aug-2011/president-confers-civil-awards-in-various-fields, Lutfullah Khan receives Pride of Performance Award in 2012, Daily Times newspaper, Retrieved 2 March 2016</ref>
⚫
He was the 'guest of honor' on one episode of [[Geo News]] TV show ''Junoon-E-Gumgashta'' in 2011 hosted by [[Sania Saeed]] featuring his archival collections and his personal comments about them.


== Death ==
== Death ==
Lutfullah Khan died on 3 March 2012 in [[Karachi]] at the age of 95. He is survived by a wife, two sons and three daughters.<ref name="Dawn"/><ref name=paknetmag/>


== External links ==
Lutfullah Khan died on 3 March 2012 in [[Karachi]] at the age of 95.<ref>http://www.dawn.com/news/699950/renowned-archivist-lutfullah-khan-passes-away, 'Lutfullah Khan passes away' in Dawn, Karachi newspaper, Retrieved 2 March 2016</ref>
* [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLByUJ_VbMxwGwrg_pP113y_Cl7BHEszXW Audio Archives - YouTube Playlist]


==References==
==References==
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{{Pride of Performance for Arts}}
{{Pride of Performance for Arts}}


{{authority control}}
{{Persondata

| NAME = Khan, Lutfullah
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Writer and collector
| DATE OF BIRTH = 25 November 1916
| PLACE OF BIRTH = Madras (British India)
| DATE OF DEATH = 3 March 2012
| PLACE OF DEATH = Karachi, Pakistan
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Khan, Lutfullah}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Khan, Lutfullah}}
[[Category:1916 births]]
[[Category:1916 births]]
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[[Category:2012 deaths]]
[[Category:Pakistani archivists]]
[[Category:Pakistani archivists]]
[[Category:Pakistani collectors]]
[[Category:Pakistani collectors]]
[[Category:Muhajir people]]
[[Category:Muhajir people]]
[[Category:People from Chennai]]
[[Category:Singers from Chennai]]
[[Category:Pakistani classical singers]]
[[Category:Pakistani classical singers]]
[[Category:Pakistani radio personalities]]
[[Category:Pakistani radio personalities]]
[[Category:Urdu-language writers]]
[[Category:Pakistani writers]]
[[Category:Pakistani writers]]
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[[Category:2012 deaths]]
[[Category:Radio personalities from Karachi]]
[[Category:Radio personalities from Karachi]]
[[Category:Singers from Karachi]]
[[Category:Singers from Karachi]]
[[Category:Pakistani television personalities]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Pride of Performance]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Pride of Performance]]

Latest revision as of 00:02, 11 September 2023

Lutfullah Khan
لطف الله خان
Born(1916-11-25)25 November 1916
Madras (British India)
Died3 March 2012(2012-03-03) (aged 95)
Karachi, Pakistan
NationalityPakistani
Occupation(s)archivist, writer
Known forArchivist known for his Voice Collection Archives
AwardsPride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan in 2012

Lutfullah Khan (Urdu لطف الله خان) (25 November 1916 – 3 March 2012) was a collector, archivist, hobbyist and an author from Pakistan. He was best known for his rare collection of voice recordings of renowned artists, poets, writers and other eminent individuals from Pakistan and South Asia.[1]

Early life

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Lutfullah Khan was born in Madras, now called Chennai in (British India) on 25 November 1916.[1][2] His father worked for the South Indian Railway Company. Lutfullah gained his basic education in Madras but moved to Hyderabad in search of work when he was still a teenager. In 1938, he moved to Bombay to work for the rationing department in British India. He migrated to Pakistan on 17 October 1947, after the independence of Pakistan, and settled in Karachi where he joined the advertising business and remained in this profession for more than 50 years.[1][3][4]

Music career

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Lutfullah Khan was passionate about music and singing from his childhood.[4] He signed an agreement in 1933 for classical singing with the Indian Broadcasting Service.[5] He performed publicly at the age of 19 in 1935, when he performed in a two-hour radio concert in Madras and played Karnatic music.[3] Known as Madras Radio Artist, he sang Ghazals at a function of Muslim Students Association of St. Xaviers College in January 1939 and rendered classical singing in Bombay in December the same year. Between 1963 and 1988, he practised singing with Abdul Shakoor Khan of Kirana gharana, and explored the intricacies of only one raag, the Darbari.[5][4]

Voice collection

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Luftullah was known for his unique collection of voice recordings. In 1951,[6] when he started his advertising agency, one of his clients imported a Sound Mirror audio tape recorder. Lutfullhah bought the machine and 22 tapes for Pakistani rupee 1,146 and 10 annas (the machine and the receipt forms a part of his collection). He performed his first sound recording, which was the voice of his mother, on 29 July 1951.[4] Later, he started recording radio programs for drama, music, poetry, prose, fine arts, religion and education. He went on collecting voices of notable personalities, especially speeches of political leaders and politicians, and narrations of authors' own works. He maintained a minutely detailed catalogue for all the tapes on different subjects.[5]

In its obituary, Dawn newspaper remarked, "It was a testimony to his zeal for the arts that artists and men of letters loved to visit his studio for recording sessions."[1]

Music archives

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In music, his collection is organised into many subcategories:[5]

Literary archives

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The Urdu literature section is divided into poetry and prose. Poetry contains the work of 800 poets. Faiz Ahmad Faiz and Akhtar ul Iman recorded their entire work for his library. Some of the other names are Jagan Nath Azad, Sufi Ghulam Mustafa Tabassum, Parveen Shakir, Josh Malihabadi, Jigar Moradabadi, Khatir Ghaznavi, Ali Sardar Jafri, Kaifi Azmi, Ahmad Faraz, Ismat Chughtai, Noon Meem Rashid, Z.A. Bukhari and others.[7] Prose contains such items as Ale Ahmad Suroor, Ibrahim Jalees, Patras Bokhari, Imtiaz Ali Taj, Hayatullah Ansari, Rajinder Singh Bedi, Joginder Paal, Chiragh Hasan Hasrat, Anwar Sadid, Khadija Mastoor, Rasheed Ahmad Siddiqi, Zakir Hussain and many more.

Politicians

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The scholars and speeches sections include names like Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Liaqat Ali Khan, Gandhi, A. K. Brohi, Sir Muhammad Zafarullah Khan, Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, Dr. Salimuzzaman Siddiqui, Karrah Hussain, Bahadur Yar Jung, Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Rajendra Prasad.[2]

Religious leaders

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The religion section includes notably Syed Mohammad Razi, Zaheen Shah Taji, Mufti Muhammad Shafi, Allamah Rasheed Turabi. This also includes an exegesis of Quran in the voice of Ehtisham ul Haq Thanvi.[8]

Painter artists

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The smaller but a unique section consists of interviews of artists like Jimmy Engineer, Iqbal Geoffrey, Iqbal Mehdi, Bashir Mirza, Sadequain, Shakir Ali.

The story of this journey is penned in Tamashay-e-Ahal-e-Qalam[2] that provides insights in efforts that were put to record them. Especially the struggle to record Faiz that is spread over time period of 20 years.

In his last years, he was digitising his audio library by transferring tapes on DVDs and computerising the catalogue.

Photography and filming

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Luftullah was also an avid photographer. While in Bombay, he used to borrow a 16mm Kodak movie camera from a friend to make movies at different locations. While in Karachi, he used to borrow a Rolleiflex camera from a friend who owned the Thackersons photography shop. He created albums of the city's old buildings and new build-ups that were taking shape to absorb the new country Pakistan and its administration. He made an album about Business on footpath covering portable shops on Karachi's footpaths, right from small businesses to snake charmers, palmists, lizard show, ear cleaner. There was another album called Business on wheels which shows fruit, vegetable, cloth, shoe merchants of Karachi on four-wheel carts. In 1951, he bought a Swiss made Bolex Paillard 16mm camera and started making documentaries.

One memorable documentary was about a cricket match between the Pakistani Prime minister, his cabinet and the parliament members at the Karachi Gymkhana.[9] One side was led by Mohammad Ali Bogra and the other by Maulvi Tamizuddin Khan. The minister Mr. Chittophadia was bowling in his dhoti and Tamizuddin was batting in his sherwani, New Age Islam reported.[9]

Other collections

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His personal gallery displays rare photographs, photography equipment, sound recording equipment and accessories, drawing instrument and stationery items used in documenting the collections, International and Pakistani coins, stamps and matchboxes.[7]

A notable album in the collection of old Hindi and Hollywood movies posters, some of them dating back to the 1920s.[4]

He has also transcribed all the Urdu Ghazals of Mirza Ghalib into Latin script.

Literary works by him

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Lutfullah authored a number of books in Urdu. Some of his works include Pehlu (1941), Bachpan ke Waqqaiyat (1991), Tamashay-e-Ahl-e-Qalam (1996), Sur Ki Talaash (1997), Hijraton Ke Silsile (an autobiography) (1998) and Zindagi Ik Safar (2000).[1][2]

Awards and recognition

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  • Luftullah's biggest legacy is his tremendous collection of audio recordings. It is the biggest personal collection of distinct audios in the country, second biggest collection after Radio Pakistan archive, and one of the rarest collection of voices of the notable people of South Asia.
  • His autobiography Hijraton Ke Silsile won the Prime Minister's award in 1998.[2]
  • Kamal-e-Fun Award (Lifetime Achievement Award in Literature) from the Pakistan Academy of Letters in 2009.[10][2][4]
  • Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi has named its audio-visual library as Lutfullah Khan Audio-Visual Library.
  • Pride of Performance Award from the President of Pakistan in 2012 for his services to Pakistan.[1][4]
  • He was the 'guest of honor' on one episode of Geo News TV show Junoon-E-Gumgashta in 2011 hosted by Sania Saeed featuring his archival collections and his personal comments about them.
  • Famous Pakistani television personality Anwar Maqsood Hameedi who was reportedly his friend for over 40 years, said after his death in 2012, that Lutfullah Khan protected and guarded his collection very diligently and "did not hand over his stuff to anyone else."[1] Well-known poet Iftikhar Arif said, "If this nation is not able to preserve his collection, it will be a huge misfortune, because I’ve seen treasure troves being destroyed at radio and TV offices."[1]

Commemorative postage stamp

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  • Pakistan Post Office issued a commemorative postage stamp to recognize his services in its 'The Archivist' series in 2012[4]

Death

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Lutfullah Khan died on 3 March 2012 in Karachi at the age of 95. He is survived by a wife, two sons and three daughters.[1][4]

[edit]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Renowned archivist Lutfullah Khan passes away Dawn newspaper, Published 3 March 2012, Retrieved 10 September 2023
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Renowned Expert of Voices Lutfullah Khan passes away". Radio Pakistan website. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  3. ^ a b Masood, Tooba (4 March 2012). "Lutfullah Khan, master archivist of the subcontinent's music, passes away at 95". The Express Tribune newspaper. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Lutfullah Khan commemorative postage stamp and profile". paknetmag.com website (scroll down to read it). Archived from the original on 24 August 2019. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d "Lutfullah Khan 'Biography'". tripod.com website. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  6. ^ Children learn ways to preserve historical records Dawn newspaper, Published 25 May 2011, Retrieved 10 September 2023
  7. ^ a b Lutfullah Khan praised for his collections Dawn newspaper, Published 5 November 2001, Retrieved 10 September 2023
  8. ^ "BBC Urdu – فن فنکار – لطف اللہ خان انتقال کر گئے". BBC News website. 3 March 2012. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  9. ^ a b "Lutfullah Khan and His Alam-e-Junoon, Islamic Culture". Newageislam.com. 14 April 2010. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  10. ^ Kamal-e-Fun Award given to Lutfullah Khan Dawn newspaper, Published 3 November 2010, Retrieved 10 September 2023
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