Tribute: Melody Queen remembered

Singers performed some of Noor Jehan’s more popular tunes.

ISLAMABAD:

Noor Jahan is affectionately remembered more than a decade after her death. Perhaps this is why even on a cold rainy night on Friday, scores of people gathered at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) to attend “Gaye gi geet dunya meray,” a tribute to one of the most popular singers in the sub-continent.

Anticipating a trip down memory lane many senior artists and couples could be seen in the auditorium; “I remember listening to Noor Jehan on my batter-operated radio as a child and then watching her on PTV” said Husnain Bokhari, an elderly guest at the event.

The evening kicked off with a poem by PNCA deputy director and poet Hasan Abbas he had written to commemorate Noor Jahan, followed by tributes by former PTV managing director Agha Nasir and PNCA director general Tauqir Nasir, who had interacted professionally and personally with Noor Jehan.



“Madam Noor Jehan was an academy onto herself. She was the reigning queen amongst singers for as long as she lived, said Tauqir. It is our duty to remember her countless contributions to the music industry, he added.

A documentary and a dance performance were presented by PNCA which had many reminiscing about the late singer. Dancing to songs such as “Chun chun nachoun gee,” the audience settled for an eventful night.

Saima Khushnood, a well-known kathak and classical dancer, performance was applauded and cheered as she performed to “Mujh sei pehli si mohabbat.” Her fluid dance movements and expressions captivated the audience.

Artists perform at the musical evening “Gaye gi geet dunya meray” (The world will sing my songs) organized in memory of Noor Jehan. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD JAVAID/ EXPRESS

Singers Gulshan Jahan and Saira Naseem, however, stole the show. Gulshan told the crowd she had come especially from Faisalabad for the honour of singing Noor Jehan’s golden songs. As she sang “Chandni raatien” some in the audience could be seen wiping away tears as they sang along, perhaps reliving cherished memories.

Naseem lightened the mood with Noor Jehan’s famous Punjabi songs such as “Sanu nehar walay pull tay bula keh” and “Dil dayna tay dil laina.” Naseem’s cheerful vocals made the audience smile as they made their way out back into the stormy night.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 30^th, 2012.