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Noor Jehan

Category: Performing
Music
Country: Pakistan

About

Noor Jehan is known as Mallika-e-Tarannum, the Queen of Melody. Her career spanned six decades in the 20th century, included songs in Urdu and Punjabi and reached an audience of millions of people across the Indian Subcontinent.1 

Born in the Kasur region of the Punjab in 1926, Noor Jehan’s fascination with music began at the age of six.  One of her childhood idols Akhtari Begum advised her to learn classical music. Obliging her advice, she studied classical music under Ghulum Mohammed Khan and began playing small roles in films such as Sheila: Pind di Kudi (1935) and Gul-e-Bakavali (1939).  Noor Jehan received her big break when she played the female lead in Khandaan in 1942. Not only did one of her songs, Tu Kaunsi Badli Mein Mere Chand Hai Aaja become a big hit, she also ended up marrying the film’s director, Syed Shauqat Hussain Rizvi.

Following the success of Khandaan, the newly-married couple moved to Bombay, India’s movie capital. Recognized for her incredible voice and strong stage presence, she became the number one actress in India. Her films included Dhuai (1943), Nadan (1943), Dost (1944) and Village Girl (1945).  Noor Jehan also popularized qawwali, a form of poetry in her film Zeenat with her song Aahen Na Bhari Shikwen Na Kiye, a duet with Zohra Ambala. 

After completing Mirza Sahiban (1947) and Jugnu (1947), Noor Jehan moved to the newly formed nation of Pakistan.  Chan Wey, a film that she acted and directed was released in 1951. She continued acting in Pakistan until she switched over to playback singing. Her last film as an actress was Ghalib (1961).  Noor Jehan’s film Heer Ranjha (1970), is considered one of the best films to be produced by Lollywood, Pakistan’s movie industry. 

It was in 1996, that Noor Jehan recorded her last song, Ki Dam Da Bharosa for the film Sakhi Badshah.  She ended her singing career due to deteriorating health and changing trends in music.  Noor Jehan passed away on December 23, 2000 in Pakistan due to heart failure.2

 

[1] Madam Noor Jehan.
[2] Noor Jehan.

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