Malika Pukhraj Biography 
Malika Pukhraj was a very talented and immensely popular Ghazal and folk singer from Kashmir and is of Indian origin. She lived during the period 1912–2004, and is best known as a Pakistani singer. Fondly called "Malika" owing to her popularity, she was equally liked by Indian and Pakistani music lovers. Abhi tau main jawan hoon – is among her most popular songs, still loved by music fans. Lo phir basant aaii, Quli Qutub's Piya baaj piyala piya jaey na, Mere qatil mere dildar mere paas raho etc are her other popular songs.
Malika Pukhraj was born in the year 1912 in Hamirpur Sidhar, Jammu and Kashmir in undivided India during British Raj. She was given the name "Malika" at the time of her birth by a spiritualist and Pukhraj by her aunt. Malika took lessons in traditional Hindustani music from Ustad Ali Baksh Kasuri, the father of legendary singer Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan. At the age of nine, when she visited Jammu and performed in a concert, impressed by her singing talents, Maharaja Hari Singh appointed her as a court singer. She stayed in this position till the age of 18.
In the 1940s when talkies had just flourished, she worked as a playback singer in Indian film industry. She also sang for All India Radio. After partition she moved to Pakistan where she continued with her musical career. Her radio performances with composer Kale Khan at Radio Pakistan, Lahore earned her fame and recognition. Her voice well suited folk songs also known as Pahari songs. She was honoured with Pride of Performance Award in 1980, and many more honours. Malika Pukhraj died in Lahore, Pakistan on 4 February 2004. Among her 6 children, her daughter Tahira Syed established as a singer in Pakistan later.
Published: November 29, 2018
Updated: November 29, 2018
