Malika Pukhraj

🪔 About

Malika Pukhraj (1912–2004) was a highly celebrated Ghazal and folk singer from Pakistan, often referred to as "Malika" or "The Queen". Born in Hamirpur Sidhar, Jammu, British India (present-day Jammu and Kashmir, India), she hailed from a family of professional musicians. She received traditional musical training from Ustad Ali Baksh Kasuri, the father of Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan. In addition to her vocal training, Malika Pukhraj also studied Kathak dance. She received training in the classical dance form, which accompanied thumri, from Ustad Mamman Khan. At the age of nine, she performed at the coronation ceremony of Maharaja Hari Singh in Jammu and was appointed as a court singer and dancer in his Durbar, a position she held for nine years. During the 1940s, she was among the well-known professional singers of British India, performing on All India Radio. After the Partition of India in 1947, she migrated to Lahore, Pakistan, where she achieved significant fame through her radio performances. She was particularly renowned for her renditions of ghazals and folk songs, including "Abhi tau main jawan hoon". Malika Pukhraj passed away in Lahore, Pakistan, on February 4, 2004. She also authored her memoirs in a book titled "Song Sung True". Awards & Honours: Pride of Performance Award (1980), Legend of Voice Award (1977).