Remembering Suraiya, the greatest singing star of all times, on her 14th death anniversary today.
On 31st January 2004, one of the greatest singing stars of all times, Suraiya Jamal Shiekh or known simply as Suraiya passed into the ages. This disarmingly sweet-voiced singer represented an old world charm that invokes wistful nostalgia. Even though her on-screen image occasionally courted glamour, her voice remained rooted in simplicity and heart-warming earnestness. Suraiya had the perfect blend of a singing star. She had great looks, natural expressions and a sweet soothing voice. Along with Kanan Devi and Noor Jehan, she was one of the most prominent female singing stars of the golden era of Hindi films. Suraiya began acting as a child artiste with Taj Mahal (1941) and landed her first leading role as a teenager in Ishara (1943) co-starring Satish, Swarn Lata and Prithviraj Kapoor. Blessed with a melodious voice, she quickly became popular as a singing star. Her most famous on-screen pairing was with the top romantic hero of the time, Dev Anand. Suraiya's c...