Demure and soft spoken, Nayyara Noor sang some of the nation’s most iconic songs. She brought to life the poetry of the likes of Faiz Ahmed Faiz, as well as being a popular playback singer.
Early on Sunday, her family reported that she has passed at the age of 71. She is survived by her husband Sheharyar Zaidi and her sons Jaffer and Naad e Ali Zaidi.
Let’s take a look at some of her best loved songs.
Aye Jazba e Dil
The poetry was written by Behzad Lakhnavi and is featured in EMI’s South Asian Showcase.
Watan Ki Mitti Gawah Rehna
This ‘milli naghma’ became a classic that many other singers also sang over the years
Roothe Ho Tum
The song was featured in the super hit Pakistani movies on the 1970s – the Nadeem and Shabnam starrer, Aaina
Aye Ishq Humein Barbaad Na Kar
Written by Akhtar Shirani, Nayyara Noor’s signature style elevated the poetry’s heartbreaking mesaage.
Hum Kay Thehrey Ajnabi
This is probably one of Nayyara Noor’s most iconic songs. Written by Faiz Ahmed Faiz after the fall of Dhaka, many assume it to be a love ballad.
Tera Saaya Jahan Bhi Ho
This upbeat film song was another one featuring movie actress Shabnum. The two women were often paired up to create popular songs that have stood the test of time.
Although she had no formal musical background nor formal training, she was discovered by Professor Asrar Ahmad at the Islamia College in Lahore after hearing her sing for her friends and teachers at an annual dinner at the National College of Arts in Lahore in 1968. Soon thereafter, she was asked to sing for the university’s Radio Pakistan programs.
In 1971, Nayyara Noor made her public singing debut in Pakistani television serials and then beginning with films like Gharana (1973) and Tansen. She has sung ghazals penned by the famous poets like Ghalib and Faiz Ahmed Faiz and has performed with legends like Mehdi Hassan and Ahmed Rushdi.