In the heart of a dusty street in Kasur, a young girl named Allah Rakhi Wasai would hum melodies that seemed to carry the weight of centuries, little knowing she was destined to become the heartbeat of a nation. Before she was Malika-e-Tarannum, she was a child of struggle, possessing a voice so crystalline and powerful it could halt traffic and bring a bustling film studio to a standstill. Her journey is not just a biography of a singer; it is the epic saga of a woman who commanded an empire of melody, broke the glass ceilings of a male-dominated film industry, and became the emotional soul of Pakistan during its most trying hours. This is the definitive life story of the legend, the icon, and the eternal queen—Madam Noor Jehan.
Quick Facts
| Category | Detailed Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Allah Rakhi Wasai |
| Professional Title | Malika-e-Tarannum (Queen of Melody) |
| Date of Birth | September 21, 1926 |
| Place of Birth | Kasur, Punjab, British India |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Parents | Madad Ali and Fateh Bibi |
| Siblings | 11 (including Eiden Bai and Haider Bandi) |
| First Spouse | Shaukat Hussain Rizvi (m. 1942; div. 1953) |
| Second Spouse | Ejaz Durrani (m. 1959; div. 1971) |
| Children | 6 (Akbar, Asghar, Zille Huma, Hina, Nazia, Mina) |
| Famous Grandchildren | Ahmed Ali Butt, Sonya Jehan |
| First Film (India) | Sheila (1935) |
| First Film (Pakistan) | Chanwey (1951) |
| Total Recorded Songs | Estimated 10,000+ to 20,000 |
| Civil Awards | Pride of Performance, Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, Sitara-e-Imtiaz |
| Date of Death | December 23, 2000 |
| Resting Place | Gizri Graveyard, Karachi |
Early Life and Roots in Kasur
Madam Noor Jehan was born as Allah Rakhi Wasai on September 21, 1926, in Kot Murad Khan, Kasur, Punjab (then British India). Born into a family of professional musicians (known as Mirasis), she was one of eleven children of Imdad Ali and Fateh Bibi.
Her zodiac sign, Virgo, reflected the perfectionism she would later apply to her vocal scales. From the age of six, her parents recognized her prodigious talent. She began her formal training in Hindustani classical music under Ustad Ghulam Mohammad and later studied with Kajjanbai of the Patiala Gharana.
The Early Career Struggle
Despite her talent, her early years were marked by financial hardship. To support the family, Noor Jehan and her elder sisters, Eiden Bai and Haider Bandi, moved to Calcutta (Kolkata) in the 1930s. There, they performed in musical theater. It was during this period that the acclaimed singer Mukhtar Begum mentored her, giving her the stage name "Baby Noor Jehan."
The Rise of a Cinematic Legend
Noor Jehan’s journey from a child artist to a leading lady is a testament to her versatility.
☑️ First Movie: She made her debut as a child artist in the Punjabi film Sheila (also known as Pind Di Kuri) in 1935.
☑️ Bollywood Success: Her big break came in 1942 with the film Khandaan, where she played the lead opposite actor Pran. This film was a massive hit and propelled her to Bombay (Mumbai).
☑️ Career Peak in British India: In the mid-1940s, she starred in classics like Anmol Ghadi (1946) and Jugnu (1947), the latter featuring her alongside a young Dilip Kumar.
Transition to Pakistan
Following the Partition in 1947, Noor Jehan and her husband, Shaukat Hussain Rizvi, migrated to Pakistan. They settled in Lahore and established Shahnoor Studios.
☑️ First Movie in Pakistan: She starred in Chanwey (1951), which she also directed—making her the first female film director in Pakistan.
☑️ Top Movies: Her Pakistani hits include Dupatta (1952), Anarkali (1958), and Koel (1959).
The Voice of a Nation: Top Ten Songs & National Anthems
Madam Noor Jehan’s discography is vast, with estimates suggesting she recorded over 10,000 songs. Her voice became the soundtrack of the 1965 war, earning her the title of "Malika-e-Tarannum."
Top Ten Iconic Songs
- Awaz De Kahan Hai (Anmol Ghadi)
- Chandni Raaten (Dupatta)
- Mujhse Pehli Si Mohabbat (Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s Ghazal)
- Sanu Nehar Wale Pul Te (Punjabi Hit)
- Mera Laung Gawacha
- Jawan Hai Mohabbat
- Hamari Sanson Mein Aaj Tak
- Dachi Waleya Mor Mohar
- Silsilay Tor Gaya Woh Sabhi
- Aeye Rah-e-Haq Ke Shaheedon (National Song)
National Songs (Millat Ke Tarane)
During the 1965 Pak-India war, she refused to stay in the safety of her home. She went to the Radio Pakistan studios to record 12 war songs that boosted the morale of the soldiers. Songs like Ae Watan Ke Sajeele Jawanon remain staples of Pakistan’s national identity.
Personal Life: Family, Husbands, and Kids
Noor Jehan’s personal life was as dramatic as her films. She was a woman ahead of her time, fiercely independent and unapologetic.
☑️ Husbands:
☑️ Shaukat Hussain Rizvi (1942–1953): They had three children: Akbar Hussain Rizvi, Asghar Hussain Rizvi, and Zill-e-Huma.
☑️ Ejaz Durrani (1959–1971): A popular actor of the time. They had three daughters: Hina Durrani, Nazia Ejaz, and Mina Hasan.
☑️ Kids and Legacy: Her daughter Zill-e-Huma followed in her footsteps as a singer, while her grandson Ahmed Ali Butt is a famous comedian and actor in Pakistan today.
Physical Appearance and Persona
☑️ Height/Weight: She was of average height but carried a larger-than-life persona. Known for her heavy jewelry, vibrant silk sarees, and iconic flower in her hair.
☑️ Net Worth: While specific figures remain private, she was the highest-paid artist of her time and left behind a significant estate in Lahore and Karachi.
☑️ Controversies: Her life was often under the lens of the tabloid press, particularly regarding her divorces and rumored relationships, but she famously ignored scandals, stating that her only true love was her music.
Awards and Recognition
☑️ Pride of Performance (1965): Awarded for her services during the war.
☑️ Tamgha-e-Imtiaz
☑️ Sitara-e-Imtiaz (1996)
☑️ Millennium Singer Award
The Final Curtain: Death and Legacy
Madam Noor Jehan passed away due to heart failure on December 23, 2000, in Karachi. Her death anniversary is observed every year by millions of fans who remember her as the soul of South Asian music.
She left behind a legacy that no other singer has been able to replicate. From her early career struggle to becoming the undisputed queen of the industry, she remains a symbol of resilience, talent, and Pakistani culture.
%20Instagram.png)
0 Comments