Noor Jehan's death 'marks end of golden era of music'

The news of the death of Melody Queen Noor Jehan was received with deep grief by the Pakistani expatriate community, who said a golden era of music has come to an end.

Many paid tribute to the legendary artiste and said she was the best woman singer in the Indian sub-continent in the 20th century. She rose to dizzy heights, dominating the stage and ruling the music industry for over six decades.

"Noor Jehan's death is a great loss to the music industry. She was an authority on all types of songs - ghazals, semi-classical and classical songs - on radio and television and in films," said Shahid Jamal, Managing Director of Radio Hum FM, one of the UAE's most popular music radio stations.

Jamal said Noor Jehan could never be replaced or superseded as she was the most gifted singer of the century. He said that special programmes were being broadcast on his FM station to pay tribute to her.

Akhtar Alam of Radio Asia said that no woman singer in Asia was as popular. "She had so special a voice and so many singing techniques that no one could ever match her or reach her level of singing," he said.

Samiuddin Ahmed, well-known actor based in the UAE, producer and radio presenter, said, "Pakistan's music reached an international level because of Madam Noor Jehan who was a versatile singer without match."

Ahmed, who is also a compere and has hosted music shows in the UAE and Pakistan, said that most of the music concerts were successful only because new singers sang Noor Jehan's songs.

"Many young women singers became popular after singing famous songs which were already sung by Noor Jehan," he said. Essamuddin Orakzai, Social and Cultural Secretary of Pakistan Association Dubai, said Noor Jehan was a symbol of success for any film for which she sang.

"It's very difficult to achieve such heights of popularity and success. She was equally recognised and respected by music lovers both in India and Pakistan," she said.

Feroz Khan, who runs a music shop, said Noor Jehan was such a popular singer that people from all walks of life and of every age demanded her recordings. "The demand for her songs and recordings never ends. Her songs are liked by people of all ages," he said.

"She was a true Pakistani and sang some memorable patriotic songs, which will remain in the hearts of the people for ever," said Salma Chaudry, who is a big fan and possesses a large collection of her music.