Suraiya multanikar biography

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“I would go to Rahat cinema near my home to listen to the music… Lata among others.” She said she was six or seven years old at the time.

Taking the craft forward

She said that one day her maternal uncle took her to a festival where Farida Khanum, Iqbal Bano and Zohra Bai performed. She said her brother was the only boy in the family… so everyone listened to him.

Multanikar said at the age of 11, she resumed training in music following the intervention of Makhdoom Ghulam Mustafa Shah Gilani, the grandfather of former prime minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani.

“I was scared of my teacher Ustad Ghulam Nabi Khan who was known as Fauji Khan.

She said that by the time her brother had also stopped opposing her singing.

Multanikar said she had gained popularity after her performance at a gathering organised by former president Ayub Khan. She said she would practice 10 hours a day. “People at that time would not think highly of a singer. Her ingenuity is evident, perhaps nowhere more so than in the following ghazal: 'Najaria kahay milaye sajaniya'.

What has sparked the Suraiya revival?

Perhaps her ghazals captured the essence of what life in Pakistan really is about.

It isn't the bigger, the better that matters it is the will power and smarts never to give up.

She stole the hearts of her fans with 'Meray qabu mein'.

Suraiya is well known for her alacrity while at the same time still regarding the basics of music.

I started enjoyed singing at an early age,” she said.

Suraiya Multanikar: From a stubborn child to a celebrated singer

International Arts and Cultural Festival concludes

Suraiya Multanikar got her name after singing the Multani Kafi to perfection. Some of them even called my aunt merasi and kanjar,” she said.

“The film was released and the song was a huge hit. But they produced those in a day and a half only for the song.”

‘Those promoting classical music should be lauded’

Alhamra Arts Council Chairman Ataul Haq Qasmi thanked the audience for making the festival a success.

Multanikar sang some of her famous songs along with Arif Lohar and Shafqat Ali Khan at the musical programme that followed the closing ceremony.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 14^th, 2015.

Surraiya Multanikar: Remembering her brilliance

Suraiya Multanikar was a lilting voice of the 1960s.

She was 19 at that time.

“Some of great classical singers from India and Pakistan were present there. The memorable ghazals recorded in her mellifluous voice remind us of the spirit of renewal and adventure that is the core of our national heritage.

Her unique voice is a translation of music through the soul.

Her adorers are still stunned by the enormous influence of her voice that she unleashed on them.

In reality, they have an even greater appreciation for the gracious lady behind the music.

In her earlier days, she was hard at work, trying to secure her slice of the music dream.

Suraiya was perfectly poised for her greatest accomplishment, which brought her laurels from literally everywhere.

'Baray bay murawwat hain ye husn walay, kaheen dil laga nay ki koshish na karna'

Her voice itself an instrument: 'Theher jao Aankhon mein thora sa dum hai, tumhain deikh loon warna hasrat rahay gee'.

Note how effortlessly she uttered those high and low notes: 'Meray dil kay zakhmoan ko neend Aa gaye hai, inhain tum jaga nay ki koshish na karna'.

The fiber of her voice retained resolutions in all scales.

Given here below is a well-remembered ghazal, which endured through all those years: 'Tum bhi khafa ho loag bhi barham'.

Suraiya goes down in the annals of Pakistani music as the only ghazal singer few could imitate.

In the richer realm of ghazals, this one stands out: 'Bhoolay say bhi keh do'.

There are a myriad of other examples of her superfluous performances like the following ghazal: 'Achchi surat pay ghazab toot kay'.

She brightened so many lives through her talents.

Think of this well-remembered number: 'Lungh Aaja patan chanha da'.

Suraiya, as impressionable as ever, and her admirers feel proud, and rightly so: 'Moray angna mein'.

Lately, music buffs have shown a renewed interest in her ghazals.

“Zohra Bai sang a ghazal and I insisted on learning from her. The following ghazal magnified her popularity among the masses: 'Baazicha-e- atfaal hai'. PHOTO: FILE

LAHORE: The development of Urdu literature, the establishment of Radio Pakistan in Lahore and the role of music in films were discussed on the last day of the three-day International Arts and Cultural Festival at Alhamra on The Mall.

A session titled Mazi Key Dareechon Sey Mauseeqi provided the audience with an opportunity to listen to singer Suraiya Multanikar talk about her career.

“I was born in a family of some great female singers.

“She told my uncle that I should continue to learn.”

Multanikar said that despite hailing from a family associated with music, she had to face opposition from her brother. I would often pray that he should not show up,” Multanikar said. “For five hours in the morning, we would practice Raag Bherveen and Raag Aimen,” she said.