Farida Khanum


Farida Khanum
is a Pakistani classical singer from the province of Punjab. She is one of the few female singers of Pakistan who have had classical music training. She was conferred with the title of Malika-e-Ghazal by The Times of India in 2007.

Early life

She was born in the fall of 1929 in Kolkata, British India. She had four siblings, a sister and three brothers. Her sister is the famous singer, Mukhtar Begum. Their whole family moved from Amritsar, British India to Lahore, Pakistan when she was 18 years old.
She started learning Khayal, Thumri and Dadra from Ustad Ashiq Ali Khan of Patiala gharana. As a child, her sister Mukhtar Begum would take her to the Khan's place for regular riyaaz. Her family moved to Pakistan after the Partition of India in 1947.

Career

Farida Khanum gave her first public concert in 1950 at the very young age of 21, and then joined Radio Pakistan where she gained recognition for herself. She became a star when Pakistan's president Ayub Khan invited her to a public recital in the 1960s. She has been a frequent performer on Pakistan Television and other Pakistani TV channels.
The ghazal she is most associated with is Aaj Jaane Ki Zidd Naa Karo written by the famous poet Fayyaz Hashmi. In 2015, at the age of 86, she sang this ghazal in Coke Studio Season 8.
Farida Khanum also visited Kabul, Afghanistan in the late 1960s or early 1970s for concerts, she collaborated with Afghan musicians and sang Persian-language ghazals there.

Personal life

Farida Khanum lives in Lahore, Pakistan. She has five daughters and one son, the youngest. Sheba Hassan is her niece, who is known for her performance in the PTV drama serial Sona Chandi. Farida Khanum has been affectionately called Queen of Ghazal in Pakistan.

Discography

YearTitleAlbum detailsTrack listing
1993Farida Khanum: Meri Pasand Vol 1Digital Release Date: 9 April 1993
  • Label: EMI Pakistan
  • Genre: World Music
  • UPC: 829410843775
  1. Voh Ishq Jo Humse
  2. Sham-E-Firaq Ab Na
  3. Main Ne Pairon Mein Payal
  4. Raat Jo Tum Ne Deep
  5. Kuchh Ishq Tha Kuchh
  6. Voh Mujh Se Huwe
  7. Yun Saja Chand
  8. Aaj Jane Ki Zid Na Karo
  9. Bairi More Nainan
1993Farida Khanum: Meri Pasand Vol 2Digital Release Date: 9 April 1993
  • Label: EMI Pakistan
  • Genre: World Music
  • UPC: 829410843874
  1. Mangwa De Jhumka
  2. Be Chain Bohat Phirna
  3. Suey Maikade Na Jate
  4. Dil Pe Ik Turfa Qayamat
  5. Uzr Aane Main Bhi
  6. Chand Niklee Kisi Janib
  7. Naina Re Naina
  8. Na Rawa Kahiye
  9. Es Tarah Qissa Mera
1993---

Compilations and live albums

YearTitleAlbum detailsTrack listing
1978Farida Khanum In ConcertDigital Release Date: 1 December 1978
  • Label: EMI Pakistan
  • Genre: World Music
  • UPC: 829410393676
  1. Aaj Jane Ki Zid Na Karo
  2. Mohabbat Karne Wale
  3. Dil Jalane Ki Baat
  4. Uzr Aane Mein Bhi
  5. Mere Hamnafas Mere
  6. Tum Aur Faraib Khao
  7. Sajan Lago Toori
  8. Kuch Ishq Tha
1980Farida Khanum In Concert Vol. 3Digital Release Date: 1 January 1980
  • Label: EMI Pakistan
  • Genre: World Music
  • UPC: 829410503679
  1. Dayar-E-Dil Ki Raat Mein
  2. Yeh Kya Ke Ek Jahan Ko
  3. Ab Na Sahoon Tori
  4. Naina Re Naina
  5. Dil-E-Muztar Ko
  6. Ya Rab Gham-E-Hijran Mein
1985Taghazzul Farida Khanum Vol 1Digital Release Date: 1 July 1985
  • Label: EMI Pakistan
  • Genre: World Music
  • UPC: 884385348106
  1. Dil Pe Ik Turfa Qayamat
  2. Asar Us Ko Zara Nahin
  3. Voh Ehad Ehad Hi Kya
  4. So Raha Tha To Shor
  5. Voh Kabhi Mil Jaen To
  6. Garmi-E-Shauq-E-Nazara
  7. Le Ke Voh Teghe Jafa
  8. Dil Mein Hamare
  9. Kis Ko Dhoondne Ghar
  10. Ki Wafa Ham Se To
  11. Lutf Voh Ishq Mein
  12. Chand Meri Tarah
1979Farida Khanum In Concert Vol. 2Digital Release Date: 1 October 1979
  • Label: EMI Pakistan
  • Genre: World Music
  • UPC: 829410503570
  1. Chand Nikle Kisi Janib
  2. Wo Kabhi Mil Jayen To
  3. Chand Day Mora
  4. Na Aate Hamen
  5. Ashiq Ke Liye Yaksan
  6. Na Rawa Kahiye
  7. Mit Gaya Zoq-E-Yaqeen
  8. Tere Pyar Mein Ruswa

Awards and recognition

Award by the President of Pakistan in 2005
Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan in 1970
Hafiz Ali Khan Award in India