Malka Pukhraj remembered on her 10th death anniversary

KARACHI: Malika Pukhraj, a unique Ghazal and folk singer of the sub continent is being remembered on her tenth death anniversary, ARY New reported.

She was born in 1912 in the village Mirpur, Jammu, British India and named ‘Malka’ meaning Queen at birth, by Baba Roti Ram, a spiritualist, and Pukhraj by her Aunt.

Malika Pukhraj received her training from Ustad Ali Baksh Kasuri, father of legendary singer Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan.

Malka was among the best singers of British India in the 1940s, and after Partition of India in 1947, she migrated to Lahore, Pakistan.

She received the ‘Presidential Pride of Performance Award’ in 1980.

One of her most listened songs was ‘Abhi to main jawan hoon’ which is enjoyed by millions not only in Pakistan, but also in India. Her popular numbers were ‘Lo phir basant aaya’ and Quli Qutub's ‘Piya baaj piyale piya jaye na’ and Faiz Ahmed Faiz's ‘Mere qatil mere dildar mere paas raho’.

Malika Pukhraj, died in Lahore on February 4, 2004. She is survived by six children including two daughters and four sons. Tarique, Tauqeer, Tanveer, and Tasvir are the name of four sons while Tahira Syed, one of her two daughters, emerged as a well-known singer. Her other daughter, Tasneem, is married to famous lawyer and senator S.M. Zafar.