Zubaida Khanum leaves behind a legacy

Late singer became an instant hit after her debut in the film industry in 1951.

LAHORE:

Legendary playback singer Zubaida Khanum left us with a treasure chest full of unforgettable songs to cherish for eternity, as she said a final goodbye to her fans on Saturday. Known for her songs in Urdu and Punjabi films, Khanum passed away in Lahore following a cardiac arrest. Her devoted fans in Pakistan and on the other side of the border, will always keep her alive in their memories.

“Those [Indian] journalists fell to her feet and pleaded. They said they would do anything to have her come to India and perform,” recalls her son and cinematographer-director Faisal Bukhari about the delegation of journalists from India, who came to visit Pakistan two years ago. Khanum, for them, was the voice of Punjab and one of the most talented singers in the nascent film industry in the ’50s.

While her career in music was short and prolific — spanning over 200 songs and almost 150 films — Khanum managed to engrave her name in the industry and her work will be remembered for generations to come. “She was known for the expressions she brought to her songs — the melody and feelings. This is something that many singers today can learn from her,” says Bukhari. She fell in love and got married to famed cinematographer Riaz Bukhari in 1959, after which, she completely withdrew from the industry. Her demise was on the same day as her husband’s second death anniversary.

Khanum was a natural. The star was not professionally trained or associated with any musical gharana, but with her debut in 1951 film Billo, she quickly established herself as a leading voice in the industry. “She never really had to struggle because her very first song was a hit,” states Faisal. She worked closely with music composers such as Rasheed Attray, Safdar Hussain, Ghulam Ahmed Chishti and others.

The legend was associated with Punjabi films including Heer (1955), Mahi Munda (1956), Chann Mahi (1956), Yakkay Wali (1957) and Kartar Singh (1959) and Urdu films including Anokhi (1956), Sarfarosh (1956), Ishq-e-Laila (1957) and Saat Lakh (1957). Saat Lakh played a major role in actor Neelo’s life as she shot to fame because of the song Aye Mausam, which was sung by Khanum. Yakkay Wali, on the other hand, was such a hit that earnings from the movie allowed its producer Bari Malik to buy what would become the largest studio in Pakistan (Bari Studios).

“Any song she would sing would intoxicate you and take you into a different world,” says veteran singer Abdullah Chilli. Khanum had also acted alongside Noor Jehan in Patay Khan (1955), where both played the female lead characters. “It was believed that she and Noor Jehan were the originals who defined the vocal culture in the industry. And I think what stands out [about her] is the fact that she was a natural,” Chilli adds.

After she quit the industry, Khanum became a naat-khwan and spiritual singer, who would perform at milaads and other events.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 24^th, 2013.

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