FARIDA KHANUM
Veteran
Classical Singer
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Farida
Khanum is still strikingly graceful and a traditionalist to the
core. With her combination of glamour and professional excellence,
she has been the life and soul of cultural evenings, and a delight
for the media ever since she gained prominence. Being an accomplished
singer, her winsome presence, engaging mannerism and soft demeanor
have all added to her success, just as her affection has made her
dear to all who have come in contact with her.
These qualities reflect the kind of influences she was exposed to
in her early life. Music was a family vocation. The younger sister
of celebrated singer Mukhtar Begum, Farida Khanum grew up in a house
which hummed with music. She was only five when Mukhtar Begum shifted
from Amritsar to Calcutta to work with dramatist Agha Hashar. Calcutta's
potential for and willingness to promote the arts, breathed new
life into all musicians. Mukhtar Begum got the chance to interact
with the masters. Mukhtar Begum's professional engagements took
her to many parts of the subcontinent. Mumbai and Delhi |
were
the main stops. Contact with the masters of music and performing in
their presence is what built Farida Khanum's confidence.
However, it wasn't until after Partition that she was launched as a
singer. Radio Pakistan, Lahore, served as the chariot. Farida Khanum
has special words of thanks and praise for the late Z. A. Bokhari, the
man who took broadcasting in Pakistan to great heights.
As a young and attractive singer, always tastefully dressed, Farida
Khanum was a sight for sore eyes. Her movements and gestures lent a
cultured sensuousness to her singing. Her rendition of carefully-selected
ghazals by contemporary poets supplemented by her lively style of performance
would enthrall the audience. When she sang, it would be obvious to everyone
that she was enjoying it.
In the 50s and early 60s when the environment in the country was far
more liberal than it is today, Pakistan regularly sent out cultural
delegations to foreign countries for participation in festivals and
national day celebrations. Farida Khanum has represented Pakistan in
the Soviet Union, China, Britain and Afghanistan and many other countries.
Farida Khanum explored cinema both as a playback singer and as an actress
early in her career. Farida Khanum no longer practices as rigidly as
before, but she has not altogether given up ryaz. At present, she is
involved in recording select thumris and ghazals only with one of the
best known connoisseurs of classical music, lawyer Raza Kazim.
Family commitments have taken her away from full-time professional activities
over the years. First it was marriage and then the children demanded
attention. After her husband's death some years ago, her responsibilities
increased manifold. But all her children, five daughters and a son,
are now married and well-settled. She is a grandmother, but the aura
of grandeur is still with her.
FARIDA
KHANUM
Profile
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Today,
Farida Khanum has carved a niche for herself, as one of the most
brilliant living performers of the ghazal.
Born in Calcutta and brought up in Amritsar she migrated to Pakistan
after partition. Her sister Muqhtar Begum and the reputed maestro
of Patiala Gharana, Ustad Ashiq Ali Khan trained her in initial
years.
After he marriage her career suffered because of rigid stance
of an unappreciative husband and rigid islamic norms practiced
in Lahore society at the time. It was only after 1964 that her
husband allowed her to sing in public again.
Though
honed in the Begum Akhtar style, Farida Khanum has imparted to
the ghazal her own genius. She usually sticks to classical Raagas
and minimalist accompaniment. She continues to record in Pakistan
and is equally well known for her concerts. She is rightfully
considered as the queen of Ghazals in Pakistan.
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Discography
Greatest
Hits Of Vol. 1 Ghazal Collection Main Ne Pairon Mein Payal, Es Tarah
Qissa Mera, Kuchh Ishq Tha Kuchh, Uzr Aane Mein Bhi Hai, Raat Jo Tum
Ne Deep, Others. EMI Pakistan
Gulistan Vol.1 Ghazal Collection Ghazals: Na Ganwao Nawuk-E-Neem Kash,
Tum Aur Fareb Khao, Tum Naghma-E-Mah Ho, Jis Tarah Chahen Karam Farmaiyeh,
Ya Rab Gham-E-Hijra Mein, Chand Nikale Kisi Janib Music Today Multiple
Artists
Gulistan Vol.2 Ghazal Collection Ghazals: Hasti Apni Hubab Kee See,
Yeh Na Thi Hamari Qismet, Lutf Woh Ishq Mein, Woh Jo Hum Mein Tum Mein,
Saaz Yeh Keena Saaz Kya Jaane, Aafat Ki Shokhiyan Hai Music Today Multiple
Artists
Hits of Ghazal Collection Lutf Woh Ishq Men, Har Aan Sitam Dhae Hai,
Der Lagi Aane Men Tumko, Narava Kahiye, Mer Qabu Men Na, Phool Barsaata
Huva, Chaman Men Rang-E-Bahaar, Ham Par Jafa Se Tark-E-Wafa, Raah Dekhen
Ge Multitone Prestige
Khwaab Vol. 1 Live Ghazal Live A Re Nain Kaisay Ghar (Thumri),Toofan
Badal Hi, Dayer-E-Dil Ki Raat Main, Sui
Maikada, Wo Ishq Jo Ham Say, Wo Mujh Say Ho A, Jis Tarha Chaye Karam,
Soni Dharti Allah Rakhay EMP
Khwaab Vol. 2 Live Ghazal Live Tere Aune Ka Dhoka, Toba Toba Meri Toba,
Raat Jo Tum Ne, Bhalay Bhalay (Punjabi), Lathay Di Chadar (Punjabi),
Di-E-Muztar Ko Samjhaya, Mere Ham Nafas Mere Ham EMP
Khwaab Vol. 3 Live Ghazal Live Bazoo Bund Khul (Thumri), Guloon Ki Baat
Karo, Dil Jalane Ki Baat, Ibn-E-Marium Hoa, Phool Barasta Hoa, Jab Us
Zulf Ki Baat Chalee, Menain Paroon Main Payal EMP
The Excellance Of Farida Khanum Ghazal Collection Aaj Jane Ki Zid Na
Karo, Sham-E-Firaq Ab Na Poochh, Mohabbat Karne Wale, Donon Jahan Teri
Mohabbat, Dil Jalane Ki Baat, Tere Pyar Mein Ruswa, Suey Maikada Na
Jate, Aashiq Ke Liye EMI Pakistan
Tum Lakh Mujh Se Ghazal Collection Tum Lakh Mujh Se Parda Karo / Grifta
Dil Hain, Maston PeUngliyan, Tum Lakh Mujh Se Parda, Hail Aisa Nahin
Ke Tum, Dono Jahan Teri Nohabbat, Hum Bhi Kya Zindagi, Koun Iss Rah
Se, Tumhari Anjuman Se, Rah Dekhain Gay, Etc.
