Singer Munawar Sultana remembered on 31st death anniversary

Her pioneering career set the stage for generations of singers to follow

Singer Munawar Sultana passed away decades ago, but her voice continues to echo through Pakistan's musical history. On her 31st death anniversary, admirers and music enthusiasts are remembering one of the pioneering singers who helped shape the country's early film and radio industry.

Born in Ludhiana in 1925, Munawar Sultana migrated to Lahore with her family after the Partition and soon became part of a new cultural landscape taking shape in the newly created Pakistan. She received formal musical training from composer Abdul Haq Qureshi, known as Shami, and later refined her skills under the guidance of prominent music figures, including Master Ghulam Haider and Ghulam Ahmed Chishti.

Her career coincided with the formative years of Pakistani cinema. Munawar Sultana holds the distinction of being among the earliest playback singers of the country and lent her voice to 'Teri Yaad' (1948), widely regarded as Pakistan's first feature film. Her contribution helped establish the foundations of Lollywood's music tradition at a time when the industry was still finding its identity.

Throughout the 1950s, she emerged as one of the most celebrated playback singers in Pakistan. She recorded around 181 songs for 54 films in Urdu and Punjabi, bringing life to productions such as 'Pheyray', 'Mehbooba', 'Anokhi Dastan', 'Beqarar', 'Do Ansoo', 'Sarfarosh' and 'Bedari'. Her patriotic and romantic melodies became household favourites, while her rendition of the national song "Chand Roshan Chamakta Sitara Rahe" earned a lasting place in public memory.

Beyond cinema, Munawar Sultana remained a prominent voice on Radio Pakistan, recording numerous folk and semi-classical compositions. Following her marriage to Ayub Romani, then Station Director of Radio Pakistan Lahore, she gradually withdrew from professional singing and devoted herself to family life and social welfare work.

Munawar Sultana passed away in Lahore in 1995, leaving behind a rich musical legacy that continues to inspire generations of singers and preserve the sound of Pakistan's cultural beginnings.