ISLAMABAD: Melody Queen Noor Jehan—the legendary singer of Pakistan has carried an exclusive distinction of infusing a new spirit of patriotism and motivation in the nation’s armed forces and civilians during the 1965 war. When India attacked Pakistan on September 6, 1965, it was Noor Jehan who stood tall for the country and armed forces of Pakistan by singing numerous patriotic songs which infused a new spirit of nationalism and motivation among forces fighting against the enemy at the eastern border.
Noor Jehan, the Melody Queen, isn’t just a legendary name in Pakistani music—she’s a national treasure whose tunes turned into battle cries. While famous vocalists such as Mehdi Hassan, Alam Lohar, and Saleem Raza additionally contributed extraordinarily to lifting public confidence level and showing the country’s certainty and strength against the adversary’s plans, it was the inimitable, Malika-e-Tarannum Noor Jehan, who truly turned the dial with her melodies, for example, “Ay Watan ke Sajelay Jawano” and “Ay Puttar Hattan Te Nahi Wikde,” carrying a special soul and intensity to her devoted exhibitions..
Friday Times reported that later, an army officer stated that Noor Jehan’s songs led them into battlefield and an Indian commentator also wrote that one difference between India and Pakistan in the war was Noor Jehan.
Murtaza Abbasi, a veteran, noticed that her music ingrained rushes of enthusiasm and solidarity among the soldiers and people of Pakistan during 1965 war. Her commitments during peacetime were additionally huge in cultivating public solidarity. President Ayub Khan, recognized her impact on the 1965 triumph, expressing that “a big part of the credit goes to Noor Jehan.”
Noor Jehan was decorated with the prestigious Presidential Performance Award for her outstanding services during 1965 war. She was also awarded Tamgha-e-Imtiaz for boosting morale of Pakistan Army’s forces during 1965 war, and Sitara-e-Imtiaz. Noor Jehan was not only a vocalist but also a valiant public figure who visited battlefields.
The melodious voice of Malika-e-Tarannum had crossed borders and touched hearts of millions of people irrespective of religion, caste, and nationality in the subcontinent and abroad.
Even, the services of the iconic singer have been acknowledged by rival Indians in high esteem and Indian legend Muhammad Rafi had wished to sing with Malika-e-Tarannum Noor Jehan.
Although Noor Jehan was not among us today but her historic songs, especially of 19 65 War, were still a great source of inspiration for the great nation of Pakistan. The legacy of the 1965 conflict remains notably incomplete without her melodic touch; Noor Jehan will forever be a beacon of inspiration for future generations and a tribute to the valor of our nation’s gallant military.
