Noor Jehan

Malika-e-Tarannum
Noor Jehan
نور جہاں
Noor Jehan in 1945 film Zeenat
Born
Allah Rakhi Wasai

(1926-09-21)21 September 1926
Died23 December 2000(2000-12-23) (aged 74)
Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Resting placeGizri Graveyard, Karachi
NationalityBritish Indian (until 1947)
Pakistani (from 1947)
Other namesThe Nightingale of The East
Queen of Hearts
Daughter of Nation
The Nightingale of Punjab
Occupations
  • Playback Singer
  • Music Composer
  • Actress
  • Director
Years active1930–2000
Notable work
Style
Title"Malika-e-Tarannum" (Queen of Melody)
Spouses
(m. 1941; div. 1953)
    (m. 1959; div. 1971)
    Children6, including Zil-e-Huma, Nazia Ejaz Khan
    Relatives
    Awards15 Nigar Awards
    Honours

    Noor Jehan (21 September 1926  23 December 2000) was a Pakistani playback singer and actress who worked in both British India and later in Pakistan's cinema. Her career lasted over six decades, during which she recorded 10,000 songs. Jehan had proficiency in Hindustani classical music, as well as in other genres such as Punjabi and Sindhi. She made her directorial debut with the film Chann Wey in 1951, becoming the first female film director in Pakistan. She is recognized for her contributions to music in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in Pakistan. She was given the title of Malika-e-Tarannum ("Queen of Melody") in Pakistan.

    Along with Ahmed Rushdi, she holds the record for having given voice to the largest number of film songs in the history of Pakistani cinema. She recorded about 10,000 songs in various languages, including Urdu, Punjabi, and Sindhi. She sang a total of 2,422 songs in 1,148 Pakistani films during a career that lasted more than half a century. She is also considered to be the first female Pakistani film director.