She earned mainstream success in 1950 when she joined Radio Pakistan, attracting the attention of her listeners. Farida learnt classical from Ustad Ashiq Ali Khan who hailed from the Patiala Gharana of music. In addition to ghazals, Khanum is a master in classical music as well. The Times of India gave Pakistani vocalist Farida Khanum the title, ‘Queen of Ghazal.’ “Whatever he touched turned to gold - from the poetry of famous Urdu poets to romantic film numbers.” Farida Khanum Describing his musical prowess, journalist Raza Rumi writes in a piece for The Hindu” He breathed his last in Karachi on June 13, 2012.Īsif Noorani wrote his biography titled Mehdi Hasan: The Man and his Music (2010). Unfortunately, in the late 1980s, his music career came to a halt as he was suffering from a severe illness. He instead asked the audience to request Hassan to sing the song. He sang the ghazal ‘Gulon Mein Rang Bharay, Baad-e-Naubahar Chale’ for the Pakistani film Farangi (1964), originally written by famous Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz.įaiz was so impressed with Hassan’s version that he stopped presenting it at his mushairas. He began experimenting with ghazals, gaining him popularity in this genre. In 1957, Mehdi had the chance to sing on Radio Pakistan as a thumri singer. Born on July 18, 1927, Mehdi is familiar to many as ‘Shahanshah-E-Ghazal’ (King of Ghazal).Ī popular playback singer for Lollywood, he is famous for introducing ghazal music to a global audience. The late Mehdi Hassan was a popular name in Pakistani ghazal music. She sadly passed away in Karachi on December 23, 2000, leaving a huge loss for both India and Pakistan. Her hit ghazals include ‘ Chandni Raatein‘ (Dopatta: 1952), ‘Ja Apni Hasraton Par’ (Sasural: 1962) and ‘Humari Saanson Main’ (Meray Huzoor: 1977).Ī popular name around the world and a recipient of several awards, she has performed at different international venues. Jehan had command over several music genres, including the ghazal. Initially an actor, she started her Pakistani playback singing career in 1960. She is familiar around the world as ‘Malika-E-Tarannum’ (The Queen of Melody). Noor Jehan, one of Pakistan’s most iconic singers, was born as Allah Wasai in Kasur, Punjab, Pakistan on September 21, 1926. I used to listen to it through radio Pakistan… those were my College day.”Īmanat Saab had a short life as he met death on September 18, 1974. “It’s my favourite for the last forty years. Some of his best Ghazal include ‘Insha Ji Utho’ and “Honto Pe Kabhi.’ A YouTube user commenting about the ghazal ‘Insha Ji Utho’ on the social media platform wrote: He also toured South Asia representing his Patiala Gharana. He earned recognition through his performances at Radio Pakistan. Popular singers Asad Amanat Ali Khan and Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan are his sons. He was the grandson of the Patiala Gharana founder, Ali Baksh Jarnail. Ustad Amanat Ali Khan, a popular name across the ghazal genre, was born in 1922 Hoshiarpur, India.
Her life is recorded in the memoir she wrote, Song Sung True (2003).
Her sad demise in Lahore on February 4, 2004, was a big loss for Pakistani ghazal music. Acknowledging her services, the Government of Pakistan gave her the Pride of Performance Award in 1980. She is famous for her rendition ‘Abhi Tou Mai Jawan Hoon’ by eminent Pakistani poet Hafeez Jalandhari. Upon invitation, Malika performed at the All India Golden Jubilee celebrations in 1977, along with collecting the ‘Legend of Voice’ award. She performed frequently for Radio Pakistan, earning much success.ĭespite moving to Pakistan, India did not forget her.
Following the partition, she migrated to Pakistan. She became one of the most popular ghazal singers of 1940s British India. Finding her voice impressive, Singh made Malika a court singer in his kingdom. When she was nine, she visited Jammu, performing in front of Maharaja Hari Singh.