Zubaida Khanum

Zubaida Khanum is a Pakistani playback singer who recorded over 250 film songs during the Golden Age of Pakistani film music. She remains a significant figure from the 1950s and 1960s because she provided the voice for featured actresses in movie musicals. Many historians consider her the Pakistani equivalent of Hollywood's Marni Nixon.

Early life and education

Zubaida Khanum was born in 1935 in Amritsar, British India, to a Muslim family. Following the independence of Pakistan in 1947, her family migrated to Lahore. She does not belong to any traditional gharana of classical music. Because she never received formal music lessons, her talent emerged through natural ability.

Her musical journey began as a child when she sang at the Lahore station of Radio Pakistan. This early exposure provided a head-start for her future career. Renowned Pakistani Swaran Lata and her husband, the film producer Nazir, heard her singing on the radio station. They liked her voice and signed her for the 1953 film Shehri Babu.

Career

Khanum made her professional debut in the film Shehri Babu in 1953. She instantly achieved success with many runaway super-hit songs. While she is primarily known as a singer, she also worked as a supporting actress. Her acting roles include appearances in Patay Khan in 1955 and Dulla Bhatti in 1956.

She became the most melodious playback singer for Punjabi and Urdu films during the 1950s. Throughout her career, she recorded over 300 film songs. Most of these recordings are solo tracks, but she also performed many duets. Her musical partnership with Ahmed Rushdi attracted huge public admiration as they sang numerous hits during the 1950s.

The singer worked alongside several famous music directors of her era. These professionals include Ghulam Ahmed Chishti and Rasheed Attre. She also collaborated with Safdar Hussain, Salim Iqbal, Khwaja Khurshid Anwar, and A. Hameed. Although her professional career lasted only 8 years, her realistic voice remains a remembrance of the golden period of the Pakistani film industry.

Her filmography includes various notable titles such as Pattan in 1955 and Heer in 1955. She also contributed to films like Chann Mahi, Guddi Gudda, Baghi, and Mahi Munda in 1956. Other works include Sarfarosh, Saat Lakh, Yakke Wali, Zulfan, Chhoo Mantar, and Mukhra. Later recordings include Kartar Singh, Koel, Raaz, Raat Ke Rahi, Insan Badalta Hai, and Ghalib.

Personal life

Khanum married film cameraman Riaz Bukhari at the height of her career. She chose to quit the film industry to lead a family life. The couple had two daughters and two sons. One of her sons is the film cameraman Syed Faisal Bukhari.

She died on 19 October 2013 at the age of 78. Her death occurred due to cardiac arrest at her home in Lahore.