Nayyara Noor | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1950-11-03)3 November 1950 |
| Died | 20 August 2022(2022-08-20) (aged 71) |
| Nationality | Pakistani |
| Occupation | Playback singer |
| Years active | 1971–2012 |
| Known for | Ghazal singing |
| Title | Bulbul-e-Pakistan |
| Awards |
|
Nayyara Noor (Urdu:نیرہ نور; 3 November 1950 – 20 August 2022) was a Pakistaniplayback singer, considered one ofPakistan's most popular singers. She was known for performing in liveghazal singing concerts in Pakistani TV shows and in concert halls around the country.[1]
Nayyara Noor was born on 3 November 1950 inGuwahati,Assam.[1] Her family and ancestors belonged to a merchant class.[2][1] Her father was an active member of theAll-India Muslim League and had hosted Pakistan's founding fatherMuhammad Ali Jinnah during his trip to Assam before thepartition in 1947.
In 1957 or 1958, Noor, along with her mother and siblings, migrated from India to Pakistan, settling inKarachi. However, her father stayed back in Assam until 1993 to look after the family's immovable properties.[1]
As a child, Nayyara is said to have been inspired by thebhajans ofKanan Devi and Kamla as well as theghazals andthumris ofBegum Akhtar.[1][2] Although Nayyara had no formal musical background nor formal training, she was discovered by Professor Asrar Ahmad at theIslamia College inLahore when he heard her sing theLata Mangeshkarbhajan “Jo tum todo piya” fromJhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje for her friends and teachers at an annual dinner at theNational College of Arts inLahore in 1968. Soon thereafter, she was asked to sing for the university'sRadio Pakistan programs.[2][1]
In 1971, Nayyara made her public singing debut in Pakistani television serials and then beginning with films such asGharana (1973) andTansen. She went on to sing ghazals, a form of song in Urdu poetry, penned by the famous poets such asGhalib andFaiz Ahmed Faiz and performed with legends such asMehdi Hassan andAhmed Rushdi.[2]
In 2012, Nayyara Noor officially announced that she would no longer sing professionally. After her marriage, she maintained that her primary roles were those of a wife and a mother. She said that music was a passion with her but never her top priority.[1]
Nayyara performed atmehfils andmushairas, having cemented a following among ghazal lovers in Pakistan and India. Probably the most famous ghazal of hers was "Ae Jazba-e-Dil Gar Main Chahoon", written byBehzad Lucknavi. She later won many awards for this ghazal.[1][3]
| Year | Award | Category | Result | Work | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Nigar Award | Best playback female singer | Won | Gharana (film) | [4] |
| 2006 | Pride of Performance | Arts | Won | Life time achievement | [5] |
She was a versatile singer; the following are some of the ghazals she recorded:[3]
| Song title | Lyrics by | Music by |
|---|---|---|
| "Ae Jazba e Dil Gar Main Chahun, Har Cheez Muqabil Aajaye" | Behzad Lakhnavi | |
| "Aaj Bazaar Main Pabajaulan Chalo" | Faiz Ahmed Faiz | |
| "Woh Jo Hum Mein Tum Mein Qarar Tha Tumhein Yaad Ho Keh Na Yaad Ho" | Momin Khan Momin)[2] | |
| "Rang barsaat nay bharay kuchh tou" | Nasir Kazmi | |
| "Phir sawan ruth ki pawan chali tum yaad aaei" | Nasir Kazmi)[7] | |
| "Aye ishq hamay barbaad na kar" | Akhtar Sheerani | Khalil Ahmed[2][3] |
| "Barkha Barsay Chhat Per, Mein Teray Sapnay Deikhuun" | Faiz Ahmed Faiz[2][1] | |
| "Intesaab" | Faiz Ahmed Faiz | |
| "Kabhi Hum Bhi Khoobssorat Thay" | Ahmed Shamim; for the PTV drama seriesTeesra Kinara)[3] | |
| "Jalay tau jalao gori" | Ibn-e-Insha)[3] |
| Song title | Lyrics by | Music by | Film and year |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Tera Saaya Jahan Bhi Ho Sajana, Palkain Bichha Duun" | Kaleem Usmani | M Ashraf[2] | Gharana (1973) |
| "Aaj Gham Hai Tau Kya, Woh Din Bhi Zaroor Aaeiga, Jab Tera Gham Khushi Mein Badal Jaaega"[3] | Khawaja Pervez | Kamal Ahmad | Mastana (1973) |
| "Roothay Ho Tum, Tumko Kaisay Manauun Piya, Bolo Na"[1][2] | Taslim Fazli | Robin Ghosh[2] | Aina (1977) |
| "Mujhay Dil Sey Na Bhulana, Chaahay Rokay Zamana" | Taslim Fazli | Robin Ghosh[2] | Aina (1977) |
| "Iss Parcham Kay Saaey Talay Hum Eik Hain"[2] | Kaleem Usmani | M Ashraf | Farz Aur Mamta (1975) |
| "Bol Ree Gurrya Bol"[3] | Masroor Anwar | Nisar Bazmi[2] | Aas (1973) |
| "Too Hee Bata, Pagli Pawan"[3] | Masroor Anwar | M Ashraf | Phool Mere Gulshan Ka (1974) |
| "Itna Bhi Na Chaho Mujhe"[3] | Parda Na Uthao (1974) | ||
| "Tera pyar bun kay Aaye" | Robin Ghosh | Bhool (1974) | |
| "Mausum tau diwana hai" | Dou saathi (1975) | ||
| "Kuchh loag mohabbat ka sila" | Nashaad | Gumrah (1975) | |
| "Toot Gaya Sapna"[8] | Karim Shahabuddin | Bobby and Julie (1978) |
She was married toShehryar Zaidi.[1] Her younger sonJaffer Zaidi is the lead vocalist of Kaavish music band, while the elder son Naad-e-Ali has started his career as a solo singer.[1]
She died on 20 August 2022 in Karachi after a brief illness at the age of 71.[9]
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