Jehan, Noor (1926–2000)

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Jehan, Noor (1926–2000)

Pakistani singer and actress. Name variations: Nur Jahan or Nur Jehan; Noorjahan. Born Allah Wasai, 1926, in Kasur, Punjab, India; died of heart failure, Dec 23, 2000, in Karachi, Pakistan; m. Shaukat Hussain Rizvi; m. Ejaz Durrani (div.); married a pilot (div.); m. Yusuf Khan (Pakistani film star, div.); grandmother of actress Sonya Jehan.

Known as "Melody Queen," began career at age 5, performing on stage in Calcutta; as the subcontinent's 1st female child star, appeared in 1st film at age 9, the Punjabi-language Pind Di Kuri (1935); went on to star in numerous films; moved to Pakistan after the partition of India (1947); following film career, became Pakistan's most popular singer; recorded thousands of songs over a 5-decade career, singing in Urdu and Punjabi.

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