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| Sunday, 6 January 2002 |
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Noorjehan the legendary queen of melodies by Mohamed Jamaluddin The legacy of the Mughal Music that pervades the Indian Sub-Continent for thousand years, continues to leave its imprint in variety of musical forms i.e. classical, lyrical (Ghazals) and even in Film music, which acquired its own peculiar form.
The long list of illustrious singers who adorned the musical horizon do disappear from the music world leaving behind nostalgic and evergreen memories embedded in the hearts and the souls of the people. But those stars who leave permanent imprint are indeed very few. Noorjehan who was awarded the title of "Malika-e-tharannum" Queen of melodies, could be singled out as one who set the mode and trend and gave the impetus in shaping the so called "Film Music". She no doubt belonged to that very few artistes who made history in the film industry. During the nineteen forties she literally ruled the waves of music in the celluloid world. Her scintilating songs left the people in a state of euphoria. Her voice production which brought life to the lyrics, and made it appear real, was moulded in the Mughal system of training. Her voice was nasal, but robust, able to bring out all the finest intricacies of the melody required by the Music Directors. She embelished the musical phrases weaving such patterns that are sweet and beautiful. Music Directors like Ghulam Mohamed, Sajjad Husain, Noushad, and Nashad who recognised her hidden talents made best use of Noorjehan's voice to bring out emotions of love, separation, union, pathos and folk. Many playback singers of that time, like Lata Mangeshkar, Geeta Roy, Shamshead Begum imitated Noorjehan in order to gain popularity. Indian films produced before the partition were filled with songs sung by Noorjehan. She was the most sought after playback singer during those days. "Javan hai mohabat; hasi hai zamana"; Mare bachpan ke sathi mujhe bhool na jana"; Kya milgaya baghwan mere dil ko dukhake" all from the film" Ammol Gadi". "Jigar ke aag se is dil ko" "Ban pathang udh jaaun, tere hath na aaun"; "Cham cham nache jiya" all from film "Tupatta"; "Badnam mohabat kon kare" from film "Dost". There are many more songs from films like "Dil, Badi Ma, Mirza Sahiban, Jugnu, Zeenat and Village Girl". These songs were extremely popular among the masses and even today linger in the minds and hearts of the people. After moving to Pakistan Noorjehan continued her quest for singing. Now her voice was getting matured, her songs attaining new dimensions. Practically every film that was produced in Pakistan was adorned by Noorjehan's songs. There too she established her supremacy in the Film world. Her juniors like Mala, Naheed Akhtar and the Bengali sensation Runa Laila, imitated the voice of Noorjehan. "Tere bina yun ghadiyan beeti, jaise sadiyan beet gaye" from film" Ansoo", Kuch log root kar bhi lagte hain itne pyare" from film" Andalib", "Humse badal gaya hai woh nigahen to kya hua" from the film "Dile betab", Chalo acha hua tum bhool haye" from film "Lakhon mie ek", Nigahen mila kar badal jane wale" from film "Mehboob", Khuda karen ke mohabat mei woh maqam aye" from film "Afshan". These are only drops in the ocean, she sang thousands of songs that were extremely popular, and are being remembered reverently by the fans of Noorjehan. She was equally brilliant in singing ghazals, I may mention one such ghazal penned by Faiz Ahmed Faiz "Mujhse pahli si mohabat mere mehboob na mang". Noorjehan brought out the subtle emotions buried in the Ghazal. Noorjehan visited Sri Lanka in 1974, to participate in the Pakistani film festival organised by the Pakistan High Commission in collaboration with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. Music concert was presented in Galle Face Hotel, where Noorjehan captivated the audience by her scintilating songs. The writer, then Director Hindi/Urdu services of Radio Ceylon had the rare opportunity of interviewing her in the studios. Noorjehan after nearly five decades in the music field breathed her last on December 23, 2000. She may not be with us, but her numerous songs will keep on haunting us for years to come. |
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