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Farida Khanum

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Farida Khanum is a celebrated Pakistani classical singer. She is a master of the ghazal genre. A ghazal is a specific style of singing. It often carries deep poetic meaning. Because of her skill, she holds a special honorific title. It is Malika-e-Ghazal, which means "The Queen of Ghazal." This title is used in both Pakistan and India. Many people consider her one of the greatest exponents of this art.

To master this music, Khanum underwent rigorous training. She studied several distinct musical styles. These included Khayal, Thumri, and Dadra. She learned these from Ustad Ashiq Ali Khan. He belonged to the Patiala gharana. A gharana is a specific school or lineage of music. Khanum engaged in regular riyaaz to improve. Riyaaz is the dedicated practice of classical music. Her sister, Mukhtar Begum, helped her by taking her to the teacher's home.

Khanum's early life was shaped by major historical changes. She was born in 1929 in Amritsar. At that time, Amritsar was part of British India. She was born into a Punjabi Muslim family. Her family included four siblings. Her sister, Mukhtar Begum, also became a famous singer. In 1947, the Partition of India occurred. This event caused her family to move. They relocated from Amritsar to Lahore, Pakistan. Khanum was 18 years old during this transition.

Her professional career began in the mid-20th century. She gave her first public concert in 1950. She was only 21 years old at the time. Later, she joined Radio Pakistan to gain wider recognition. Her fame grew significantly in the 1960s. This happened after President Ayub Khan invited her to a public recital. Khanum also worked in the film industry. She acted in movies and sang playback songs. Her film work included both Urdu and Punjabi language films.

Khanum's musical reach extended beyond Pakistan's borders. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, she visited Kabul, Afghanistan. During these visits, she performed live concerts. She collaborated with Afghan musicians there. She also sang ghazals in the Persian language. One of her most famous works is "Aaj Jaane Ki Zidd Naa Karo." This ghazal was written by the poet Fayyaz Hashmi. Even at age 86, she performed this song on Coke Studio Season 8 in 2015.

Her massive discography shows her long-term impact. She released several concert volumes in the late 1970s. These included "Farida Khanum in Concert" Volumes 1, 2, and 3. In 1993, she released two volumes titled "Meri Pasand." These albums were released under the EMI Pakistan label. Her work spans various genres, including World Music. She has also received many prestigious awards. These include the Pride of Performance in 1970. She also received the Hilal-i-Imtiaz in 2005.

Khanum's legacy is tied to the preservation of classical traditions. Her career connects classical singing with modern media. She has performed on Pakistan Television and various other channels. Her influence spans decades of South Asian culture. She remains a vital figure in the ghazal tradition. Her life reflects the history of the region. From British India to modern Pakistan, her voice has remained constant.

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