Malika Pukhraj

Malika Pukhraj (Punjabi, ) (1912 – 2004) was a highly popular Ghazal and folk singer of Pakistan.

Others among her popular numbers in Urdu language were Lo phir basant aaii, Quli Qutub's Piya baaj piyala piya jaey na, and Faiz Ahmed Faiz's Mere qatil mere dildar mere paas raho.

Early life Malika Pukhraj was born in Hamirpur Sidhar to a family of professional musicians. Originally, she belonged to the Dogra family of the Jammu region in what is now Indian administered Kashmir. She was given the name "Malika" at birth by Baba Roti Ram 'Majzoob', a spiritualist, in the Akhnoor area, and named Pukhraj (yellow sapphire) by her aunt who herself was a professional singer-dancer.

Malika Pukhraj received her traditional musical training from Ustad Ali Baksh Kasuri, the father of legendary singers Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan and ghazal singer Barkat Ali Khan. In addition to classical music, she also specifically studied kathak dance.

Performing career At the age of nine, she visited Jammu and performed at the coronation ceremony of Maharaja Hari Singh, who was so impressed by her voice that he appointed her as a court singer in his Durbar. She stayed there as a singer and dancer for another nine years. Her voice is most suitable for 'folk songs of the hills' (Pahari Songs).

In 1980, she received the Pride of Performance Award from the President of Pakistan.

Filmography Film Year Film Language 1939 Kajal Hindi 1940 Azadi-e-Watan Hindi 1940 Aflatoon Aurat Hindi 1940 Manzil Door Nahi Hindi 1950 Shammi Punjabi

Death Malika Pukhraj died in Lahore, Pakistan on 4 February 2004. Her funeral procession started from her residence at West Canal bank, and the ceremony was held in the house of her eldest son.

Awards and recognition Legend of Voice Award (1977) by All India Radio Pride of Performance (1980) by the President of Pakistan