Muzaffar Ali is a meticulous director and well thought of. Rajah Muzaffar Ali was born 21 October 1944 in Lucknow. He belongs to a Royal Muslim Rajput family of Kotwara. His father was the Raja of Kotwara and his mother came from the noble family of Sheikhupur, Badaun. He studied at La Martiniere college of Lucknow.
A film-maker, a fashion designer, a poet, an artist, a music-lover, a revivalist, a social-worker, Muzaffar Ali is a man of versatile genius. Ali recently brought out an album "Paigham-e-Mohabbat", which has lyrics by some of the sub-continent`s most distinguished poets - Ali Sardar Jafri, Ahmad Faraz, Rahi Masoom Raza, Qazi Nazrul Islam and Jan Nisar Akhtar. They are now gearing up to direct his first opera "Le Fakir De Benaras" in New Delhi in the year 2012. Ali believes that only the artists of the subcontinent have the power to restore peace and unity in Asia.
Muzaffar Ali`s life is a constant journey of self-discovery. In his life whatever he does and in whichever medium he chooses like the films, paintings, costumes designing, music or more recently opera, there is a constant quest to unravel the mysteries of life and to find a long-term solution to worldly strife and anguish.
Ali also has ever growing interest in Sufism. That according to Ali is one reason why he has never thought of making commercial films of Bollywood, the kind that appeals to the masses but gives no satisfaction to its maker. He said in an interview that "All my films are a diary of my journey through life; and they provide me with a bigger canvas than painting to express my creativity. That`s why; I have no regrets about not making more films."
The films for Ali are really an integration of all forms of art, with music being the actual screenplay. It is portrayed in his latest offering "Paigham-e-Mohabbat" (Songs of Love). It deals with memories of Partition of India and dreams of a `united India`. The lyrics for the songs have been penned by some of the sub-continent`s most distinguished poets like Ali Sardar Jaffery, Ahmad Faraz, Rahi Masoom Raza and many other poets of Urdu language. The singers include the likes of Abida Parveen and Moin Khan. This album is essentially based on patriotism and voices the anguish of people who suffered the Partition of India and Pakistan. His message in this album is to throw out all the artificial boundaries that divided their heritage and nostalgia. He believes that only the artists of the subcontinent have the power to restore peace and humanity in both India and Pakistan.
Ali`s previous albums include "Jahan-e-Khusrau", a tribute to Hazrat Amir Khusrau, "Raqs-e-Bismil" (Dance of the Wounded). It is a collection of Ghazals inspired by the couplets of Rumi. His debut album, "Jaam e Ishq", was a musical ballet based on the works of a 13th century Sufi poet.
Ali also experimented with all forms of art. He is always looking for new boulevards of art to express his creativity. For this he has agreed to direct a classical opera to be performed in Delhi. The main motivation behind accepting the Opera was that it would give him a chance to blend the music of the West and the East. Though it has been tried in films it has not helped in creating a powerful genre of music. Le Fakir De Benaras, the opera is being produced by 28-year-old Priya Wacziarg who found the scores for it on the streets of Paris, written by a little known composer L. Maneul.
As a fashion designer, Muzaffar Ali`s creation is Kotwara label. This is ethnic and aristocratic in nature. In his creation, he projects the mixture of Oriental and Occidental style. Aesthetics is crucial to Ali in all the clothes he designs.
Personal life of Muzaffar Ali
He first married Subhashini Ali. Before her marriage her name was Subhashni Sehgal, a well-known women`s activist, trade union leader and former MP of the Communist Party Marxist. This couple has a son named Shaad Ali, who is a movie director of Bunty and Bubli and Saathiya. Later he married Meera Ali who was a fashion designer. Meera Ali and Muzaffar Ali have a daughter, Sama Ali.
Filmography of Muzaffar Ali
* Khizan (1995)
*Aaya Basant Sakhi (1986)
* Anjuman (1986)
* Kali Mohini (1986)
* Semal Ki Darakht (1986)
* Ganga Teri Shakti Apaar (1985)
* India, an Unusual Environment for Meetings (1985)
* Sheeshon Ka Masiha (1985)
* Kue Yaar Mein (1984)
* Together Forever (1984)
* Vadakath: A Thervad in Kerala (1984)
* Sunhare Sapne (1983)
* Wah! Maan Gaye Ustad (1983)
* Aagman (1982)
* Laila Majnu Ki Nai Nautanki (1982)
* Venue India (1982)
* Woodcrafts of Saharanpur (1982)
* Umrao Jaan (1981)
* Vasiqedars, the Pensioners of Awadh (1981)
* Gaman (1978)
Award given to Muzaffar Ali
Muzaffar Ali won the Padma Shri award in the year 2005.
