Hi friends,
There are lots of articles on Madam on the net--most of U must have all--here is one little story that is touching.

RECENTLY, Mr Ali Sufian Afaqi wrote about Nur Jehan in an Urdu language newspaper. When the late Mr Zulfikar Ali Bhutto entertained foreign ambassadors in Larkana some thirty years ago, Nur Jehan was also invited. As soon as the programme ended, she insisted that she be allowed to return to Lahore at once. As she got delayed, she started being noisy. When Mr Bhutto came to know of it, he ordered that she be flown back at once.

Once she went to Dhaka on a fund-raising mission for a school. With her was Ejaz Durrani whom she had married recently. Nilo and Ratan Kumar were also with her. The cinema hall where she was to perform was chock-a-block with people. When she returned to her hotel, she liked the food so much that she told the management that she wanted to meet the chef who was produced immediately.

Praise and from Nur Jehan! The chef was overjoyed.

"Babaji you deserve a reward," she told the chef.

"We love your songs, Madame, but can't afford the time to go to cinema houses."

"Well, as soon as the function is over, I'll sing for you, your staff and their families," Nur Jehan promised.

Samar Das was a noted music director of his time. He was at once selected by Nur Jehan to accompany her on the harmonium. At the end of the three-day function, Samar Das wanted to take leave.

"But I have another commitment," Nur Jehan told him.

"What commitment?" Das was surprised.

"I have promised to sing for the Shah Bagh hotel's chef and his staff."

Samar Das's wife was very sick in those days but he could not say 'no' to her and returned to the hotel in her company. Then came the day when she said 'no' to an invitation from the East Pakistan governor. Mr Hamid, who was then a customs collector, tried his best to persuade Nur Jehan but she was adamant. She had to sing for the hotel staff. When the time came for her to perform, she went down to the hall which she found filled to capacity with ladies from the elite in glittering saris.

"Who are these people?" she asked the manager.

"Madame, these ladies belong to the most prominent families in Dhaka," the manager replied.

"But I have to sing for the hotel staff. Ask them to leave within three minutes or I will throw them out myself," ordered Nur Jehan imperiously.

Eventually, the hall was cleared of the Dhaka glitterati and the hotel chef, his staff and their families called in. She sang all night, enthralling her audience. She asked everybody what to sing, making the night most memorable for all those who were lucky to be there.

That was a really touching story Priya. It is great that unlike many singers she did not comply to dominant social forces and standards and did what she felt was right.

There was another incident which I remember. Once Noor Jehan was recording for some composer and was specially coming to record a song so that before Eid, all the musicians get paid and that they enjoy the festival. When she entered the studio, the producer was abusing the composer and telling him to complete all the songs and disregard the fact that it was a festive season. He did not notice that Noor Jehan was already there, however NJ looked at the composer and told him to remain quiet. After, the producer had finished his abuses, he got one of the harshest scoldings of his life from Noor Jehan that how could he talk to an artist in such a manner.

Ali Sufyan Afaqi is a renowned film storywriter and Producer. He is also a most senior film journalist. He writes his filmi memories in a monthly magazine. He has written some very interesting memories about Madam Noor Jehan, Afaqi saheb was a very close friend of Eijaz Durrani. I have almost complete collection of his memories. The Dhaka hotel story is a very touching article of Afaqi saheb. It is a long article and the climax of this story (which is not mentioned in Priya’s post) was very surprising. All the articles are in Urdu, due to my poor English, I am unable to translate them into English. I can post them in Urdu, if any kind soul ready to translate them from Urdu to English?

Inaam.

What is the climax of the story Inaam? Pulkit and U shoudl post all the snippets like this that U can remember.
Post the articles in Urdu Inaam. I cannot read, I am sure Pulkit cannot too but who knows one can find someone I guess. U can at least summarise them for us until we can translate them. Waise tumhare English ka bahana jhootha hai--u do just fine when U try.

Ayo hum ko jhoota bola hum ko gaali diya Ji Ayo yo

Things seem to be really going bad for you Dear Inaam. Yesterday, some weird and strange fellow threatened you for an upload and today you are facing another trail for telling a lie.

Bus bhai Pulkit --- wo kya kehte hain Urdu mein " qurb-e-Qyaamat ke aasaar hain"

Ghabarao mat bhai, dekho ek aur thread ko padho, mera bhi haal kuch tumahare jaisa hi hai. Priya seems to have become a la Hunterwali today.

Pulkit U are still shuddering over my imminent arrival? Do not worry filhaal hum Agra tak hi pahunch gaye hain

Inaam U can now sing bure naseeb mere--was that a Madam song?
Or U can try kal tak jo kehte the apna....

Priya Dear

Burey Nasiib mere was a Zubeida Khanum duet and not Madame's song, but yeps, Kal Tak Jo Kahte The would be appropriate.

Hi Inaam

When you get time, do post the climax of this story.

Pulkit that is Inaam's counter blackmail!!!!

Priya mein sab samjhta hoon --- ye Pulkit such much bohat badmaash hai -- anyway I am a little bit busy today, will start the Roman typing of the artical tomarrow.

Inaam

I'm really confused . Inaam agar aap samajh gaye ho to humein bhi batado ki Pulkit kaise aur kitna aur kabse badmaash hai.