Assam-Born Nayyara Noor, ‘Nightingale of Pakistan’, Dies At 71

Nayyara Noor, the Pakistani playback singer famous for her ghazals, died on August 21, 2022, after suffering from a brief illness. She was 71.

Noor was under treatment for quite some time in Karachi, as per media reports. Her family broke the news on Sunday through social media. “It is with heavy heart that I announce the passing of my beloved aunt (tayi) Nayyara Noor. May her soul R.I.P. She was given the title of ‘Bulbul-e-Pakistan’ because of her melodious voice. #NayyaraNoor,” wrote Noor’s nephew Raza Zaidi.

-Noor was born to - an active member of the All India Muslim League in Guwahati, Assam, her father hosted Muhammad Ali Jinnah in their home state before the partition in 1947. Following the partition, Noor’s mother had migrated to Pakistan and settled in Karachi with her children while her father stayed back in Assam until 1993.

Without any formal or classical training in music, Noor was appreciated for her singing even in her college days. She studied at the National College of Arts in Lahore, where she was asked to sing for the University’s Radio Pakistan programs.

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In 1971, she debuted as a professional singer with Pakistani television serials and moved on to sing in films like Gharana (1973) and Tansen (1943). The late singer was spotted by poets like Mirza Ghalib and Faiz Ahmed Faiz. She performed with legends like Mehdi Hassan and Ahmed Rushdi. One of her most famous ghazals include "Ae Jazba-e-Dil Gar Main Chahoon", a form of song in Urdu poetry form; it was written by renowned Urdu poet Behzad Lucknavi (1900–1974).

In a career spanning over four decades, Noor went on to win several accolades including the title of ‘Bulbul-e-Pakistan’ for her melodious voice. Other awards include the Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan in 2006, Nigar Award for best playback female singer in film Gharana (1973), and three Gold Medal Awards at the annual All Pakistan Music Conference concerts, among others.

Musicians including Shafqat Amanat Ali, Adnan Sami, actor and singer Ali Zafar, actor and filmmaker Humayun Saeed, and Pakistan High Commission are among the several others who paid tribute to the late singer on social media.

Just learned the sad news that legendary singer Nayyara Noor Sahiba has passed away.
She was an icon & her contribution to music will be remembered & loved forever…

My deepest heartfelt condolences to her family…

إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعون

🤲#RIPpic.twitter.com/I2koLcwl7e

— Adnan Sami (@AdnanSamiLive) August 20, 2022

A wonderful singer and human being, Nayyara Noor ji is no more. She leaves behind the legacy of her beautiful music. Inna-lillahe-waina-ilahe-rajeoon #NayyaraNoorpic.twitter.com/Qz6LK9TkUw

— Shafqat Amanat Ali (@ShafqatAmanatA) August 21, 2022

Heart breaking. I remember our last meeting and discussion at her place. She had moved beyond the worldly desires onto a serene and spiritual space with so much wisdom. She was our nightingale. May her soul rest in peace. #NayyaraNoorpic.twitter.com/sM5K77MncC

— Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) August 20, 2022

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Noor is survived by her husband, veteran Pakistani television actor Shehryr Zaidi, and their younger son Jaffer Zaidi, who is the lead vocalist of the Kaavish music band, and their elder son Naad-e-Ali, who has started his debut as a solo singer.