Noor Jehan recorded approximately 10,000 songs throughout a career spanning more than fifty years, establishing a record for the highest number of film songs in the history of Pakistani cinema. Born as Allah Wasai in 1926, she evolved from a child performer in a rural theatre troupe into a preeminent figure within both British Indian and Pakistani film industries.
Early Musical Training
Born in Kot Murad Khan, near Kasur, she originated from a family of classical musicians. Her grandmother, Amma Hasso, was a singer, as were her mother, Fateh Bibi, and her aunts. Her father, Imdad Ali, provided her initial environment for musical growth. By age five, she began singing, eventually receiving rigorous instruction from Ustad Ghulam Mohammad and the classical singer Kajjanbai. During her time in Calcutta, she studied the Patiala Gharana traditions, focusing on thumri, dhrupad, and khyal.
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In the early 1930s, she joined a tented theatre run by Agha Hashar Kashmiri, adopting the stage name Baby Noor Jehan. Her film career launched with the 1935 Punjabi movie Pind di Kuri, followed by appearances in Missar Ka Sitara and Heer-Sayyal. After relocating to Lahore in 1938, she gained prominence under the guidance of music director Ghulam Haider. Her adult breakout occurred in the 1942 film Khandaan, which led to her move to Bombay and a series of top-grossing films including Anmol Ghadi and Jugnu.
Directing and Acting in Pakistan
Following the partition of the British Indian Empire in 1947, she and her then-husband, director Syed Shaukat Hussain Rizvi, moved to Karachi. In 1951, she co-directed the film Chann Wey, becoming the first female film director in Pakistan. The production was a major financial success. She continued her career with films like Dupatta, though personal circumstances and her later marriage to Ejaz Durrani led to her retirement from acting after her final appearance in the 1963 film Baaji.
Legacy and Style
Recognized as Malika-e-Tarannum, or Queen of Melody, she demonstrated proficiency in ghazals and classical music. She maintained a significant presence through playback singing, performing 2,422 songs across 1,148 films. Her rendition of poetry, such as Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s work in the film Qaidi, showcased her unique vocal style. She received several honors for her contributions, including the Pride of Performance, the Nigar Awards, and the Member of the Order of Excellence.
Fast facts
- Born: 21 September 1926, Kasur
- Died: 23 December 2000, Karachi
- Stage Name: Baby Noor Jehan
- First Film: Pind di Kuri (1935)
- Last Film: Baaji (1963)
- Total Songs Recorded: Approximately 10,000
- Religion: Islam
- Burial Site: Gizri Cemetery
Questions readers ask
Was Noor Jehan a film director?
Yes, she was the first female film director in Pakistan, debuting with the 1951 film Chann Wey.
How many songs did she record for films?
She sang 2,422 songs in 1,148 Pakistani films during her career.
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