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She was only a child when film maker introduced her to the studios of pre-independence Lahore. She first attained stardom when movie moghul Dalsukh Pancholi cast her in 'Khandaan' in 1942. With its success Noorjehan, the Diva of the 40's immigrated to Bombay.
She attracted the audience with her salwar-kameezes and her vibrant voice. She even dethroned the then reigning, singing star Khurshid, with her hit song in `Zeenat`,`Bulbula Mat Ro Yahan Aanso Bahane Hain Mana` and rendered the nautch girl style of Karnatki. It was when she sang the Qawwali in 'Zeenat' that the public first took to this essentially Muslim supplication. The singing star reached her peak with Mehboob Khan's blockbuster 'Anmol Ghadi' in 1946, when she tried to sabotage the second-lead singing star, Suraiya. However, she need not have bothered, as her songs - Aawaz De Kahan Hai, Jawan Hai Mohabbat and Mere Bachhpan Ke Saathi - immortalised her.
After her last hit in 1947 - 'Yahaan Badla Wafa Ka Bewafai Ke Siva Kya Hai - from the film 'Jugnu', Noorjehan migrated to Pakistan. At 40, she divorced her filmmaker husband Shaukat Hussain Rizvi and married 25 year old Ejaz Hussain.
All her life, this Malka-e-Tarannum (Queen of Melodies) lived a lifestyle similar to her Malka-e-Hindustan (Queen of Hindustan) namesake.
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