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For Noor Jehan's family, Ali Azmat's remarks are the 'disgraceful utterances' of a 'now faded' musician

For Noor Jehan's family, Ali Azmat's remarks are the 'disgraceful utterances' of a 'now faded' musician

Malika-e-Tarannum's daughters did not hold back their anger at the Junoon frontman for his comments about the late singer.
22 Oct, 2021

Musician Ali Azmat has earned the ire of countless netizens after his recent dig at one of Pakistan's biggest cultural icons, Madam Noor Jehan. The Junoon frontman said some rude things about the late singer, and her family has recently issued a unified statement against him on social media, condemning his "disgraceful utterances" that broke the "boundaries of respect and decorum".

In an interview moderated by Ahmed Pansota and featured on The Current's YouTube channel, the musician and actor displayed his dislike for the late singer by derogatorily calling her a "kofta (meatball)" amongst other things. The clip of Azmat's remarks went viral on social media and reached Noor Jehan's family as well.

Malika-e-Tarannum's daughters — designer Mina Hasan, and Hina Durrani — posted a statement on Instagram condemning Azmat for his rude comments against their mother. "Madam Noor Jehan is a name synonymous with greatness. A woman that did more for her country and her art than most can dream of doing in a lifetime. She received every accolade known to mankind and while leaving us was also rewarded in death to depart for Heavenly abode on the most blessed of days."

"I got thousands of you today sending messages of how much you love her and that you want me to say something about what someone had to say about her," Hasan and Durrani said in identical posts. "To that I share one of my favourite quotes 'What you say about me, says more about you'. When someone expresses an opinion breaking boundaries of respect and decorum they show you that they lack common decency , grace and humility.

For the women, exercising your freedom of expression does not excuse giving others due respect. Freedom of expression "should not be permitted to be used as means of indignation for another," the statement read.

"As a society, we have observed our social fabric wither to the whims of egotistical expressions of nothingness, founded in a misplaced sense of self importance and privilege," they said. "For reasons which are incomprehensible to decency and courtesy, humiliating another vociferously is now seemingly justified because 'I am allowed to express what I feel'. You most certainly are. But with every privilege exercised, there is a much greater need to observe propriety. Every privilege claimed is accompanied by an overwhelming need to observe caution."

The daughters did not mince their words about Azmat from this point onwards. For Hasan and Durrani, the Junoon singer is now a "faded representative of Pakistan’s music industry"

"Let us take a moment to recognise this person’s unregulated and greatly unjustified tenor and evident lack of intellectual coherence," they said, "When explaining popular culture relevant to his generation, he effortlessly stooped to an abhorrent low. Evidently unable to express himself whilst visually pleased with this demeaning ‘quality’, he did not shudder for a moment when discussing a legend, an icon, a muse of all things valued and endeared, a mother."

They went on to slam the singer for using cheap methods to grab attention. "Not all primitives evolved to become better creatures. Charles Darwin is wrong. Some regressed to lower life forms, faded into irrelevance, invoked cheap theatrics to grapple with the fame lost, and lived out their remaining days consumed by their insecurities," they said.

Hasan and Durrani emphasised how "Noor Jehan is and will always be what this person can never attain. Grace, humility, courage, integrity, and above all, immortality".

Noor Jehan's granddaughter, Natasha Ali Lakhani, also posted the same statement on her Instagram account as well. Their post in regards to Azmat included video clips of celebrated Indian artists Late Mangeshkar, Shabana Azmi, Dilip Kumar and others praising Noor Jehan both as a person and artist.

Actor Ahmed Ali Butt — the son of Noor Jehan's eldest daughter Zile Huma — also posted a statement on the issue on his Instagram Stories.

Butt said he has "always respected Ali Azmat as an artist and as a friend" and doesn't hold the incident against him because "he is also an artist and knows very well that respect comes when you give respect". "Otherwise you are just putting yourself in a position where people will disgrace your own legacy," he said.

Comments

Chrís Dăn Oct 22, 2021 05:02pm
Malka e Taranum Noor Jehan was just one unique singer and ignorant people like Azmat who are products of poor upbringing can not even think to touch the dust of Noor Jehanś art.
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M Nasir Oct 22, 2021 05:37pm
Who is Ali Azmat? or is he Azmat Ali?
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Tadka Oct 22, 2021 05:37pm
Every artist goes thru fading stage
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Shazad Khalid Oct 22, 2021 05:41pm
The dead can't defend themselves...shame on you Ali Azmat!
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Zulfiqar Oct 22, 2021 05:57pm
What a cheap publicity stunt by Ali Azmat. Sad
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ENGR Hamid shafiq Oct 22, 2021 06:05pm
its personal opinion I think no issue
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M. Saeed Oct 22, 2021 06:06pm
The header picture shows highly presentable Noor Jehan clan !
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Khalil Oct 22, 2021 06:13pm
Who is Azmat Ali? Never heard of him and what authority does he possess to speak of Madam Noor Jahan? Sounds like some back street guy trying to get some cheap publicity.
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Pakman Oct 22, 2021 06:14pm
Ali Azmat - is an unknown minor when compared to Madame Noor Jehan stature and fame. He needs a lesson on respect; learn to show respect where respect is due.
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Saf Zulfiqar Oct 22, 2021 06:32pm
Madam Noorjehan was the best singer of Pakistan and India. She should be respected all the time.
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AKL Oct 22, 2021 06:40pm
NJ was great, but now only her memories remain. We must treat her respectfully
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Fast comment Oct 22, 2021 07:14pm
We know Madam Noor Jehan as a legend singer, but who’s this guy Ali Azmat.
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nk Oct 22, 2021 07:25pm
Befitting reply
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Jaredlee007 Oct 22, 2021 08:48pm
Ali Azmat, who is he? He doesn't matter at all.
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tuk Oct 22, 2021 09:12pm
These are difficult times financially for many. Maybe he was just trying to get some clicks and Noor Jehan's family helped him with that. Noor Jehan's songs speak for her more than anybody can defend her!
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Uzair Oct 22, 2021 09:38pm
Just as people have the right to criticize Ali Azmat, Ali Azmat too has the right to express his opinion. We need to stop labeling everything as sacrilege.
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Watchmann Oct 22, 2021 10:54pm
I grew up loving Noor Jehan's singing! Love them!
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Bella Oct 22, 2021 11:04pm
Pakistani men make it an issue of ego when they see successful women.
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Sane Mind1st Oct 22, 2021 11:10pm
Making mountain out of molehill.
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Aamir Cheema Oct 22, 2021 11:42pm
Noor Jehan, well Last month I met a person from film industry, who highlighted , that , She was helping many needy women from Kasur every month...great act of kindness by her....
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Aziz Alam Oct 23, 2021 12:35am
It is so sad to see anyone talking bad about Madam Noor Jehan especially from a low grade singer like Ali Azmat !
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amin Oct 23, 2021 12:39am
I use to feel the same way while growing up in 70s and 80s, Noor jhan was over the topic every department
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Ronnie Oct 23, 2021 12:53am
I’m Indian and I’m shocked at this comments about of the greats of the subcontinent and one who is no more. The shocking part is that this comment came from another artist. I have heard Noor Jahan’s songs as my parents and their generation would listen to her songs and she was at par with Lara Mangeshkar. Even Lata Mangeshkar has praised Noor Jahan not only as a great singer but also for having encouragement during her initial days as singer. May her soul Rest In Peace. As a tribute I would listen to some of her immortal songs tonight. Music is divine and may Noor Jahan’s soul be one with the divine.
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Glen D'Abreo Oct 23, 2021 01:02am
We are living in the age that any publicity good of bad clicks are good ? But trying to disrespect others while trying to gain attention is a no brainier? He does have a right to say he is not a fan of Madam Noor Jehan and we should respect that but anything less is sign of disrespect!
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Ronnie Oct 23, 2021 01:09am
Listen to songs like aawaz de kahan hai and aaja mere barbad mohabbat ke sahare… Noor Jahan is a legend. Nothing less. Homage and respect to her from across the border.
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M. Emad Oct 23, 2021 02:02am
Runa Laila was the best Pakistani singer in 1970s.
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Toni Oct 23, 2021 02:43am
Ali Azmat simply should apologise, it was totally disrespectful as per our culture, and claims he represents us, NO YOU Don't. I may not have liked her style or singing as much, she had talent I could not sync with but fade away Azmat, you will never reach such status as the lady did; bless Noor Jehan, you live in peace, yet Azmat will remain a troubled man.
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Robin Mitha Oct 23, 2021 03:39am
Noor Jahan is and will always be a National Icon. She was also a beautiful person. Irrespective of whether you love her or not her services to our country and her profession cannot be ignored. Some respect especially since she is dead an gone isn't too much to ask .
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Sarkar Oct 23, 2021 03:43am
One should not pay attention to Ali Azmat! He rose to fame and in a blink of an eye, he and his band vanished in thin air.
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Alih Kazmi Oct 23, 2021 05:19am
As an Urdu saying goes; if you try to spit at the sky it falls on your own face.
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Tan Oct 23, 2021 05:31am
@Uzair Is this Azmat Ali - any authority on music - what musical qualifications ! Oh Please - look at the track record of Noor Jehan - how many decades - how many songs - her titles; Malka e Taranum - this dude Azmat no where near- to be honest with you - never known his name - never heard his music. Remember Faiz Ahmed Faiz went to visit her at the residence . Remember Imran Khan and Javed Miandad went to her residence to request her to attend fund raising for Shaukat K. Hospital.. " this Azmat kis kheet ki mooli hai".
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Ma Oct 23, 2021 05:56am
Who ever this guy Ali Azmat or Azmat Ali is, should now that at his peak he will not mount to the gravy of that “kofta”
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Mayyuddin Mistri Oct 23, 2021 05:58am
"...greatest artist of the subcontinent (sic)..."? Forget Rafi? No. Great, yes. Many many greater singers/instrumetalists.
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Shujaat Khan Oct 23, 2021 06:23am
If you have seen Pakistan Idol talent show you have seen Ali Azmat. He always has obnoxious, nasty, appalling, detestable, hateful comments for young contestants.
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Sami Oct 23, 2021 07:01am
Cheap publicity stunt due to inferiority complex. He needs physiological counseling!
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SachBol Oct 23, 2021 07:58am
There is no denying that she was melody queen in her earlier years…until sixties. But, afterwards her singing voice became rough on ears. She should have let it go long time ago. Even, Lata who was superior in her voice had troubles in later years. Vocal artists should know when to quit.
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Malik Oct 23, 2021 08:08am
I lost respect for Ali Azmat! Ali Azmat was always an arrogant Man but now he career ended almost a decade ago so he should stay away from media.
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Malik Oct 23, 2021 08:10am
Ali Azmat is nobody now. His career ended And he has no bank balance
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jazzshah Oct 23, 2021 10:09am
1- Ali isn't all that wrong when it comes to the music scene of the 80s and 90s. i was among those growing up in those times, and its a total fact that music played on PTV was depressing and rather a disaster when so much was happening around the world. Junoon was our leading band back then. No one from the youth ever listened to noor jehan and it was all junoon fans everywhere in schools, colleges and univs. If no one can replace noor jehan, then no one can replace junoon as well. Junoon was about innovation and putting Pakistan on global rock map. 2- 1000 plus songs isn't the right criterion when you compare a filmi singer with a rock band. In addition, i dont think its wrong to say that junoon had a wider global audience as compared to madam noor jehan. FACT! 3- Greatest artist of South Asia??? ahem ahem. ever heard of lata, rafi, kishore etc.? somehow we always superimpose our heroes onto a much bigger geographical area then they actually covered. Respect for Noor Jehan!
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Mahira Oct 23, 2021 10:13am
@Saf Zulfiqar Nope she wasnt.
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Sana Oct 23, 2021 10:21am
He is right. In her time there was no singing competition to get the best singer. People adjusted. She sings in one genre only, not versatile.
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Joey Oct 23, 2021 10:32am
@M. Emad nobody is talking about Runa Laila here.
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Saddique Ahmed Oct 23, 2021 11:13am
Shameful comments. Ali Azmat I am sorry I don’t want to judge what you said but can only judge your singing and you never sing in tune. Many kids listen to your loud noise think you are in tune.
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ENGR Hamid Shafiq Oct 23, 2021 11:32am
@M. Emad Still she is my favourite with Shehnaz Begum
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mesotwisty Oct 24, 2021 11:43am
Seriously Ali Azmat, what is wrong with you?
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Jahan Ara Oct 24, 2021 02:10pm
While I was growing up it was the era of Ptv. Ptv by giving her unfair privileges stifled the creativity and strangulated the real talent. Madam was a great singer but she should have left singing in early eighties. What Ali Azmat has said is his choice. Please stop idol worshiping, she was just an ordinary human not someone out of this world that nothing could be said about her.
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