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This Indian's tribute to Farida Khanum shows how music unites us all

Indian poet pays tribute to the enduring beauty of Farida Khanam's rendition of 'Aaj Janay Ki Zid Na Karo'

23 Dec, 2015

'Art transcending borders' has become quite the cliched phrase, but this Facebook post written by an Indian poet has proven again that musical notes defy any of the boundaries that people create for themselves.

A recent video of legendary Farida Khanum singing a portion of the famous ghazal 'Aaj Janay Ki Zid Na Karo' in an informal session didn't only tug the heartstrings of Pakistanis but also moved Indians to laud the veteran singer as she sings in a raw, melancholic voice.

Akhil Katyal, a poet from New Delhi, paid tribute to the enduring beauty of the ghazal and her rendition of it in free verse:

The ghazal written by Fayyaz Hashmi and composed by Sohail Rana remains a favourite amongst many and is often sung at ghazal nights.

'Aaj Janay Ki Zid Na Karo' was also sung in Coke Studio Season 8 this year as a signing off note in the last episode of the season. Late singer Habib Wali Muhammad had also sung the popular ghazal for the film Badal Aur Bijlee.

Comments

Waqas Dec 23, 2015 12:41pm

"The ghazal written by Fayyaz Hashmi and composed by Sohail Rana remains a favourite amongst many and is often sung at ghazal nights" This is such a pity that people cant even differentiate between a Ghazal and Azad Nazm nowadays. On top of that, there are such mistakes posted on the mainstream media groups without any check and balance.

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BholiHawiYadd Dec 23, 2015 12:59pm

It was a pleasure to hear again a famous voice from good old days when this country was living a relatively peaceful life . Many decades have past but the melody and charm in her voice is till young and impressive as it was in 50s,60s ,70s and 80s . May GOD/Allah bless you healthy and long life to keep entertaining your admirers , the last shining star in the Ghazal singing . I still remember her beautiful performances on PTV as the only channel broadcasted those days and available to the viewers. Those days are gone and peace of this country too.

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waheed Dec 23, 2015 01:14pm

They have expelled many of our singers, showed extremism towards their own actors for speaking in favor of us and refused to play cricket and we say how music unites. Please reconsider your thoughts

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Asif Jamil Dec 23, 2015 01:15pm

Even at this age sweet, melodious, full of feeling. Absolutely brilliant!!!

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Madeeha Mahmood Dec 23, 2015 01:24pm

I do not understand why we need to continue projecting soft image of India through this kind of reports as we all know the reality is much different on the other side of border

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KA Dec 23, 2015 02:06pm

I do not have words to express my appreciation. Frida Khanum has defied her age. She has the same pathos and same adayegi as of youthful years. She is last of the three singers: Bagum Akhtar, Iqbal Bano and Frida Khanum. Gio hazaron sal, yah hai hamari arzo. Thanks very much. I have already listened to her video two times times already and will listen again and will never be tired.

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Dr faizan Dec 23, 2015 02:30pm

Again at it with this unite us all nonsense. PLEASE stop trying to appease India and get your head out of the sand.

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Ranjeet Singh Awarra Dec 23, 2015 03:04pm

Wish it was 1946, and we were not partitioned.

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Irfan Afzal Dec 23, 2015 04:24pm

'When I have fears that I may cease to be'

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Saeed Khan Dec 23, 2015 04:33pm

Victory of tolerance.

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amin Dec 23, 2015 06:19pm

It was originally sung by Habib Wali Mohd, not by Farida who sang it much later, and it is an Azad Nazam.

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schal Dec 23, 2015 06:51pm

@waheed In case you missed, one of the today's highlights in Dawn (with a picture) is about Fawad Khan's next Bollywood venture. Most Indians forgive and embrace the talent, good things and the people who bring them. Some need more time to come out of their anger and frustration.

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FutureWizard Dec 23, 2015 07:02pm

She was amazing.....Tribute from Neighbor.

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Khizr Dec 23, 2015 08:19pm

Fareeda Khanum is a legend and music knows no boundaries. Thank you for this post. May God bless her.

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Gurpreet Singh Sabharwal (USA) Dec 24, 2015 02:26am

@waheed : "They have expelled many of our singers, showed extremism towards their own actors for speaking in favor of us and refused to play cricket and we say how music unites" The problem with your comment is that when you say "They have expelled...." you are painting all of 1.2 billion indians with the same brush when in fact the "they" you are talking about represents a very tiny faction of fringe elements in India & mostly limited to the Shiv Sena in Bombay. Kindly list the Pakistani singers, entertainers, artists, athletes etc which have been expelled from India over the years & also list the ones which have been welcomed in India. Once you do that exercise without bias, I believe you'll realize your folly.

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Som Tyagi Dec 24, 2015 04:41am

My Pakistani friends should not claim Farida Khanum as exclusively their own.That diminishes her. She belongs to all of us. I love her rendition of Aaj Jane ki jid....

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Jamal Ahmad Anjum Dec 24, 2015 06:05am

I have no words to express my appreciation and fondness for the rendering of Farida Khanum whose voice is so different and melodious.

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Bupi Dec 24, 2015 07:42am

Its duty of all of us give due respect to all who deserve without cast & creed .if don't give respect history & future will curse us all. Be blessed.

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Ranjith Dec 24, 2015 07:59am

As a Indian i feel surprised. Live and Let's Live. Thank you for your Story. I wish some sections of our media could learn from Dawn !

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Ajaya K Dutt Dec 24, 2015 09:15am

What a graceful singer.

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sijaz Dec 24, 2015 09:55am

@Waqas Thank you, thank you, thank you!. I am often labelled baba e urdu sarcastically when I correct people for calling a nazm a ghazal. We were probably lucky to be taught by real teachers, and today there aren't any.

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Aziz Dec 24, 2015 10:04pm

This Aazad Nazm was immortalised by the famous Habib Wali Mohammad with the help of Music composer Sohail Rana, who set it in Raag Aimen. There is no doubt that it sounds richer and more meaningful In a faminin voice . It has been sung by many but Farida Khanums rendering is undoubtedly the best. As for bridging the gap between the two nations music can play an important role. The past record can testify that there has never been any hindrance for the performance of Indian artists in Pakistan. Regrettably the Pakistani artists have become victims of politics, recently. As music is a cultural heritage of both countries, it automatically becomes a binding force except that the politicians will never let the two countries develop into friendly neighbours. This is something I feel will never be allowed to materialise.

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harsh Dec 25, 2015 01:14pm

I like Aerosmith music, can I say music unites India and USA?

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Neer Nayan Dec 28, 2015 01:50am

Eternal composition! Eternal rendition! Intoxicating!

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Neer Nayan Dec 28, 2015 02:02am

@waheed Ignore negativity and scorn, and we shall realise how beautiful positivity and love are! If only we knew how the masses adore and respect the artists, sans any reservations! India loves Noor Jehan ji, much as Lata ji!

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