Pakistani Singer Actor Noor Jahan: Noor Jehan's name will be remembered for centuries in the history of Pakistani cinema. Even as she laid the foundation for Indian cinema ...read more

A voice that emanated and spread far and wide... a voice that settled in hearts... a voice that was etched into the pages of history. The lines we've mentioned above belong to Noor Jehan, whose melodious voice has attracted a large number of attendees. It's said that God bestows some gift upon every human being.

Noor Jahan was one of those whose life's train arrived at the station of success, but the occasional cracks of pain became a sore spot. What could she do? Whatever fate has in store, happens. It was Noor Jehan's magic that even the Nightingale of India, Lata Mangeshkar, was captivated by her stunning beauty and mesmerizing voice.

Today we will tell you the story of that same Noorjahan and tell you how she was recognized between two countries and how she got crushed in the ups and downs of her personal life and how she became 'Mallika-e-Tarannum'.

Noor Jehan's early career

Pakistani singer Noor Jehan was born on September 21, 1926, in Kasur, about 45 kilometers from Lahore, during the British era. Noor Jehan's real name was Allah Rakhi Vasai. Noor Jehan began singing at the age of six. As soon as her parents learned of her talent, they encouraged her to pursue it. Noor Jehan's mother loved her daughter very much.

She immediately sent her daughter Noor to Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan. She believed that if she stayed with the master, she would learn quickly and well, and with good training, she would achieve something in life. Born into a Punjabi-Muslim family, Noor Jahan had 11 siblings. Her parents were involved in theater. It is said that when Noor Jahan was born, even her cries had a rhythm.

It felt as if the little child's melodious words were melting into my ears. Gradually, Noor Jehan grew up and began singing with her sister. They sang in Lahore. After this, the theater where Noor Jehan's father worked sent Noor Jahan and her family to Calcutta. Her father felt that now that she had received musical training, perhaps a career would be made in Calcutta.

Started with Punjabi films

Noor Jahan began her career as a singer. In 1935, the film Pind Di Kudi was released, marking her debut. In the film, Noor Jahan sang with her sisters and also acted in it. After this, Noor Jehan didn't stop; she continued to progress in her career.

After working in several Urdu and Punjabi films, she turned to Pakistani cinema (Lollywood). Noor Jehan began singing in various films. Anyone who heard her voice simply fell in love with her.

She went to Pakistan after partition

She starred in numerous films, including Anmol Ghadi, Jugnu, and Mirza Sahiban. These films were made before Partition. While Noor Jahan was winning hearts with her singing, she was also tormented by the pain of Partition. Before Partition, she had already established a significant presence in Indian cinema, but after the 1947 partition, she moved to Pakistan.

She settled there with her family. However, during this time, Dilip Kumar urged her to stay in India, to which Noor Jahan replied, "Wherever my husband is, there is my life." After moving to Pakistan, she became the country's first female director and won hearts with her songs.

2 marriages, 2 divorces and the responsibility of 6 children

As Noor Jahan's life progressed, she also attracted attention in her personal life. In 1942, Noor Jahan appeared in the film "Khandaan," directed by Shaukat Hussain Rizvi. The two fell in love during the filming and eventually married.

However, this marriage did not last long. After 11 years of marriage, the couple separated in 1953. Five years later, Noor Jahan married Ejaz Durrani, whom she married for the second time. However, Noor Jahan's second husband did not want her to work in films or sing.

Obeying her husband, she withdrew from the film world. Noor Jehan had six children from this marriage. However, this marriage did not last long, and in 1971, she divorced Durrani and separated.

She was crazy in love with the cricketer

The love story of Pakistani cricketer Nazar Mohammad and Noor Jahan is also quite common. It is said that their romance blossomed, but Nazar Mohammad had to pay the price for it with his career.

It is said that Noor's second husband, Durrani, once found her and Nazar Mohammad locked in a room. Terrified, Mohammad jumped out of a window, breaking his arm. His arm never recovered, and his career was ruined before it could even begin.

Lata Mangeshkar was also a fan of Noor Jahan

The Nightingale of India, Lata Mangeshkar, was also among those who admired Noor Jehan's voice. In fact, when Noor Jahan reached the peak of her career, Lata's career had just begun. Noor Jahan was an inspiration to Lata. Interestingly, the friendship between these two legends of Indian cinema was widely discussed.

Noor Jahan had great respect for Lata. It is said that she affectionately called Lata "Latto." This relationship remained intact even after Partition. It is said that once when they met at the Attari border, they embraced each other and cried profusely. Borders may have divided the two countries, but their friendship remained unbroken and their love remained intact.

Came to India 36 years after partition

When Noor Jahan returned to India in 1983, she became very emotional. After returning to India with her daughters, she spoke openly. After her return, she gave an interview with Dilip Kumar for Doordarshan in Mumbai. There, she shared many things and said that "practice begins from childhood."

When I was younger, I used to practice a lot, although at this age, that's not possible. Noor Jehan said she has many memories that she cherishes. The pain of Partition was evident here, and Noor Jahan was trying to control her emotions. However, she also said that she made many attempts to return to India and waited for nearly 35 years.

4 lakh people came to the funeral

Noor Jahan sang over 10,000 songs in her career. She appeared in countless films, lending her voice to Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, and many other languages. She finally stopped singing in 1992, and then passed away in 2000 from a heart attack.

When Noor Jahan's funeral procession passed through Karachi, approximately 400,000 people attended. She was buried with full state honors.

 PC:Jagran