LAHORE: The 97th birth anniversary of the legendary Melody Queen, Noor Jehan, was marked across country on Thursday.
Born as Allah Wasai in Kasur, Noor Jehan was a true gift to the world of music and cinema, who earned titles like ‘Melody Queen’ and ‘Queen of Hearts’.
Her mesmerising voice and unique style quickly propelled her to stardom, making her one of South Asia’s greatest singers. Noor Jehan’s influence extended beyond music; she played a pivotal role in boosting the morale of the armed forces during the 1965 war through her motivational songs, igniting a sense of patriotism and national unity. Hits like “Aye Watan ke Sajelay Jawano” and “Rang Laye Ga Shaheedon ka Lahoo” resonated deeply with Pakistanis.
Throughout her career, she demonstrated her versatility by excelling in various singing genres, including ghazal, folk, national, and playback. Her voice was synonymous with success in the film industry, as she sang over 20,000 songs in different languages, holding a record for the most film songs in the history of Pakistani cinema.
Noor Jehan’s films, such as ‘Zeenat’, ‘Dupatta’, ‘Anarkali’, and ‘Intezar’, shattered popularity records and contributed significantly to Pakistan’s cinema industry. Her remarkable contributions were recognised with the presidential Pride of Performance Award, 15 Nigar awards, Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, and the title of PTV’s Voice of the Century.
The Melody Queen passed away on December 23, 2000, following a heart attack in Karachi, leaving behind a legacy that continues to resonate in the hearts of music enthusiasts and patriots alike.