Munawwar Sultana
Munawwar Sultana
Munawwar Sultana started her career as radio and playback singer probably around mid 40s. She used to take musical lessons from Master Ghulam Haider. She, along with the music composer G.A. Chisthi, is mostly credited for bringing the dead film industry of Lahore-Pakistan back to life. Munawwar Sultana sang the earliest hits in Pakistani films (both in Urdu and Punjabi) including Koi dil ki nishani dai gaya from Do Ansoo (1950), Ayey khushi kai zamaney and Mohabbat mein na aisa bhi koi majboor ho jayey from Akeli (1951), Awaaz mein pyar ka bhar kai rang from Barkha (1953) and Mohabbat muskuari jhoom uthi har shai jawani mein with Fazal Hussain from Aagosh (1953).
Her songs for Punjabi film Pheray (1949) Mainou rab di sohn teray naal pyar ho gaya and Wey akhiyan laawein na (a duet with Inayat Hussain Bhatti) composed by G.A. Chishti were the main reasons for the success of the film. The movie went on to became first Punjabi Silver Jubilee film of Pakistan. Similarly, her songs composed by Mubarak Ali for film Do Ansoo (1950) were instrumental in securing the future of Urdu films as Do Ansoo was the first Urdu Silver Jubilee film of Pakistan.
In late 50s, she married the then Station Director of Radio Pakistan – Ayoob Romani. Her marriage coupled with the arrival of new playback singers – especially Zubaida Khanum and Naseem Begum ended her singing career.
She died on 20th May 1995 in Lahore .
ABOUT THIS AUTHOR
Shamshad Begum - O.P. Nayyar collaboration
Shanta Apte
Surbahar
Aayey khushi kai zamaney - Munawwar Sultana singing for Master Ghulam Haider in Akeli (1951) 
Interview with Mina Hasan (Noor Jehan's Daughter)
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As per my knowledge, her debut films were Dhamki (1945, MD Pandit Amarnath Ji) and Albeli (1945, MD G. A. Chishti Ji). Do you think I’m right?
Vidur
Might be. I don’t have access to Geet Kosh. If it lists Dhamki and Albeli her first films as playback singer, then it might be true. Thanks for providing the information
Most welcome, glad to be of help
Checked Geet Kosh, and her first songs are from Albeli (1945), she sang at least 2 songs. So, this great singer was finally introduced by G. A. Chishti Ji who’s eternal favourite she was.
Interestingly (I believe, as per records) Zeenat Begum Ji’s 2 songs in the film were composed not only by G. A. Chishti Ji but, also Rafique Ghaznavi Ji! I found this very interesting. Another fabulous addition to his list of singers