Zubaida Khanum -File Photo

LAHORE: Renowned playback singer and one of the best singers from Lollywood's golden era Zubaida Khanum breathed her last on Saturday night after a fatal heart attack.

The 78-year-old singer was suffering from prolonged heart ailments for a few years and was living with her sons in West Wood Colony in Lahore.

He condition turned worse on Saturday after which she was taken to a hospital near her residence where doctors pronounced her dead.

At the height of her career, Ms Khanum married renowned cameraman Riyaz Bokhari and left playback singing for good. Her son Faisal Bokhari is also a known cameraman. Coincidentally, Oct 19 was the death anniversary of her husband.
She was born in 1935 in Amritsar. Her family migrated to Lahore after partition. She did not belong to any traditional music ‘gharana’. Singing was her own passion with an additional factor of financial constraints she was facing.

Khanum began her career as a playback singer in Lollywood in 1951 from the film Billo and was recognised early on for her melodious voice.

She also worked as an actress on a number of films in the 50s but stopped performing after settling down. However, she continued her singing career.

One of her most remembered song 'Assan jaan ke meet liye ankh wey' from the movie Heer continues to charm Punjabi music lovers.
Yet another famous song of her's was 'Dilla ther ja yaar da nazaraa lein de' which was picturised on Musarat Nazir.

In a condolence message sent to the deceased singer's family, Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif expressed regret at Khanum's demise and called her a national asset.

President Mamnoon Hussain in his condolence message recalled her services for performing arts in the country and said that they were unforgettable.

Meanwhile, MQM chief Altaf Hussain also sent a condolence message to Khanum's family. He said that Pakistan has lost a talented artist.

Her funeral prayers will be held on Sunday morning at 10am on Raiwind Road in Lahore.

From     DAWN  October 22, 2013