Anwar was born in Mumbai in 1949; his father was an accomplished harmonium player and an assistant music director to the famedGhulam Haider. He was classically trained by Ustad Abdul Rehman Khan, incidentally same musical academy that produced the legendary playback singer Mahendra Kapoor. Anwar started singing Mohammad Rafi songs at various concerts. It was during one of those musical shows that Anwar was spotted by the music director Kamal Rajasthani, who gave him a chance to sing for his film Mere Gharib Nawaz. The song was Kasme Hum Apni Jaan Ki. Mohammad Rafi personally acclaimed and congratulated Anwar.
Very few people know that Anwar is step brother of Arshad Warsi and noted actress of her time Asha Sachdev.
When the remix revolution started making inroads into the bollywood music industry, Anwar got bored of the music being churned out and took a break from playback singing and settled in the United States of America, concentrating on live stage performances. However, he later returned to Mumbai.
In 2004 Anwar composed an album called “Meri Aashiqui Se Pehle” broadcast on popular RKB show of Sahara Channel. All the songs in the album were mesmerising so much so that one would sense the magic of Mohammad Rafi and appreciate Anwar’s talent.
Presently Anwar is busy performing live concerts, cutting albums and occasionally when suitable playback singing. In 2006, Anwar recorded a Sufi song for music director Dilip Sameer Sen in film Kabhi Pyar kiya. His latest release album is Tohfa. He sang “Yun Zaher Zindagi Ka Piye Ja Raha Hoon Main..” is a classic and let you remember Rafi. This song has real touch of Anwar.
Notable songs
Film songs:
- Humse Ka Bhool Hui, Jo Yeh Sajaa Hum Ka Mili(Film :Janta Havaldar, starring Rajesh Khanna)
- Ek Akela Man Ka Panchchi(Film :Sardar)
- Sohni Meri Sohni.. Rab Se Zyada Tera Naam Leta Hun(Film :Sohni Mahiwal, starring Sunny Deol, Poonam Dhillon)
- Yeh pyar tha ya kuchh aur tha (Film : Premrog Rishi Kapoor)( This particular song he sang with old times singer Sudha Malhotra, and was picturised on Anwer’s sister Asha Sachdev.)
- Nazar Se Phool Chunti Hai (Film: Ahista Ahista1981)
- Yun Zeher Zindagi Ka (Film: Salaam e Mohabbat (1983), starring [Tabrez, Farida Jalal]
- Mohabbat Ab Tijarat (Film: Arpan, starring Jeetendra)
- Rab Ne Banaya Mujhe Tere Liye (Film: Heer Ranjha1992, starring Anil Kapoor)
- Zindagi Imtihan Leti hai (Film: Naseeb, starring Amitabh Bachchan)
- Hathon Ki Chand Lakiron Ka (Film: Vidhaata, starring Dilip Kumar)
- Shair Bana Diya (Film: Yeh Ishq Nahin Ahsaan, starring Rishi Kapoor) and many more.
Other Selected Hit Songs:
- Chand Se Phool Talak (Film Jaan-E-Wafa)
- Yeh Husn Yeh Shabab (Film Shiv Charan)
- Mere Khayalon Ki Rehguzar (Film Yeh Ishq Nahin Asaan)
- Mausam Mausam lovely Mausam (Film Thodisi Bewafai)
- Ek Pal Hasna (Film Bahar Aane Tak)
- Huzoor Aap Yeh Tohfa (Film Safar)
- Kahan Jateho Ruk Jao (Film Dulha Bikta Hai)
- O Saathi Re (Film Cobra)
- Maine Zameen Per Chand (Film Parbat ke Us Paar)
- Dil Toot Gaya Hai Apna (Film Anokha Insaan)
- Ruk Ja Saathi (Door Desh)
- Uthao Jaam Masti Mein (Film Beshak)
- Kisi Soorat (Film Awara Zindagi)
- O Jaane Jaana Jaane Bahara (Film Pratigyabadh)
- Main Tere Paas Hoon (Film Do Disayen)
- Lagi Re Mehndi (Film Maqqar)
- Jab Aaye Aise Pal Kabhi (Film Yudhpath)
- Yeh Safar Bhi Kitna Suhana Hai (Film Sawaal)
- Ek Taj Mahal Dil Mein (Film Kasak)
- Tumhen Jhamgata Ashikon ka (Film Padosi Ki Biwi)
- Hum Unki Aarzoo Mein (Film Noor E Illahi)
- Dil Diwano Ka Dola (Film Tahalka)
- Main Faqeer Ishq Mera (Film Ishq Khuda Hai)
- Aag Hawa Mitti Aur Paani (Film Heer Ranjha 1992)
- Jaa Meri Deeye Ladli (Punjabi Film Sarpanch)
- Ek Gal Das Mainu Bottle (Punjabi Film Sarpanch)
- Koi pardesi Aaya pardes mein ( Film [ Hum Hai Lajawaab ] )
Selected Classical Ghazals:
- Bahar Aai Hai Bharde
- Aap Ka Aitbar Kaun Kare
- Tarkh-E-Mohabbat
- Tu Hi Apne Hath Se
- Phool Si Soorat
Selected Contemporary Ghazals:
- Lab Pe Tere Iqraar E Mohabbat
- Yeh Kafas Hi Mujhko Aziz Hai
- Jabse Kareeb Hoke Chale
- Ghadiyan Ginte Din Beete
Contemporary Ghazal Albums:
- Nagma
- Mehboob Mere
- Tohfa
singerspassion 