PESHAWAR: Noted Pashto folk artist Suriyya Khanum alias Mahjabeen Qazalbash breathed her last at the Lady Reading Hospital here on Wednesday, doctors and family sources confirmed.

She left behind two brothers, a sister, two sons and a daughter to mourn her death.

She was admitted to the LRH on Jan 1 with heart complications and had been on a ventilator ever since.

The funeral prayers of the folk artist will be held on Thursday (today) in Peshawar.

Artistes, writers and fans expressed deep grief on Qazalbash’s sad death and sympathized with the bereaved family members.

Mahjabeen Qazalbash being a recipient of numerous awards, including President’s Pride of Performance, remained quite active and would never miss out on cultural events except for a period during 80s when her husband, Amanullah Orakzai aka Aimal Khan, died and she devoted much of her time to upbringing and education of her own children.

Ms Qazalbash had earned the title of Bulbul-i-Sarhad for her melodious voice.

She enjoyed a large fan following owing to her velvety voice and talent as she sang tracks in Urdu, Punjabi, Seraiki, Hindko, Persian and Turkish in addition to Pashto. She also worked in Pashto plays but focused on her singing art.

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2020

Opinion

Editorial

Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....
Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.