Farida Khanum is still strikingly graceful and a traditionalist to the core. With her combination of glamour and professional excellence, she has been the life and soul of cultural evenings, and a delight for the media ever since she gained prominence.

Being an accomplished singer, her winsome presence, engaging mannerism and soft demeanor have all added to her success, just as her affection has made her dear to all who have come in contact with her.

These qualities reflect the kind of influences she was exposed to in her early life. Music was a family vocation. The younger sister of celebrated singer Mukhtar Begum, Farida Khanum grew up in a house which hummed with music.

She was only five when Mukhtar Begum shifted from Amritsar to Calcutta to work with dramatist Agha Hashar. Calcutta's potential for and willingness to promote the arts, breathed new life into all musicians.

Mukhtar Begum got the chance to interact with the masters. Mukhtar Begum's professional engagements took her to many parts of the subcontinent. Mumbai and Delhi

were the main stops. Contact with the masters of music and performing in their presence is what built Farida Khanum's confidence.
However, it wasn't until after Partition that she was launched as a singer.

Radio Pakistan, Lahore, served as the chariot. Farida Khanum has special words of thanks and praise for the late Z. A. Bokhari, the man who took broadcasting in Pakistan to great heights.

As a young and attractive singer, always tastefully dressed, Farida Khanum was a sight for sore eyes. Her movements and gestures lent a cultured sensuousness to her singing.

Her rendition of carefully-selected ghazals by contemporary poets supplemented by her lively style of performance would enthrall the audience. When she sang, it would be obvious to everyone that she was enjoying it.

In the 50s and early 60s when the environment in the country was far more liberal than it is today, Pakistan regularly sent out cultural delegations to foreign countries for participation in festivals and national day celebrations. Farida Khanum has represented Pakistan in the Soviet Union, China, Britain and Afghanistan and many other countries.

Farida Khanum explored cinema both as a playback singer and as an actress early in her career. Farida Khanum no longer practices as rigidly as before, but she has not altogether given up ryaz. At present, she is involved in recording select thumris and ghazals only with one of the best known connoisseurs of classical music, lawyer Raza Kazim.

Family commitments have taken her away from full-time professional activities over the years. First it was marriage and then the children demanded attention.

After her husband's death some years ago, her responsibilities increased manifold. But all her children, five daughters and a son, are now married and well-settled. She is a grandmother, but the aura of grandeur is still with her.

Today, Farida Khanum has carved a niche for herself, as one of the most brilliant living performers of the ghazal.
Born in Calcutta and brought up in Amritsar she migrated to Pakistan after partition. Her sister Muqhtar Begum and the reputed maestro of Patiala Gharana, Ustad Ashiq Ali Khan trained her in initial years.

After he marriage her career suffered because of rigid stance of an unappreciative husband and rigid islamic norms practiced in Lahore society at the time. It was only after 1964 that her husband allowed her to sing in public again.

Though honed in the Begum Akhtar style, Farida Khanum has imparted to the ghazal her own genius. She usually sticks to classical Raagas and minimalist accompaniment. She continues to record in Pakistan and is equally well known for her concerts. She is rightfully considered as the queen of Ghazals in Pakistan.

Greatest Hits Of Vol. 1 Ghazal Collection Main Ne Pairon Mein Payal, Es Tarah Qissa Mera, Kuchh Ishq Tha Kuchh, Uzr Aane Mein Bhi Hai, Raat Jo Tum Ne Deep, Others. EMI Pakistan.

Gulistan Vol.1 Ghazal Collection Ghazals: Na Ganwao Nawuk-E-Neem Kash, Tum Aur Fareb Khao, Tum Naghma-E-Mah Ho, Jis Tarah Chahen Karam Farmaiyeh, Ya Rab Gham-E-Hijra Mein, Chand Nikale Kisi Janib Music Today Multiple Artists

Gulistan Vol.2 Ghazal Collection Ghazals: Hasti Apni Hubab Kee See, Yeh Na Thi Hamari Qismet, Lutf Woh Ishq Mein, Woh Jo Hum Mein Tum Mein, Saaz Yeh Keena Saaz Kya Jaane, Aafat Ki Shokhiyan Hai Music Today Multiple Artists

Hits of Ghazal Collection Lutf Woh Ishq Men, Har Aan Sitam Dhae Hai, Der Lagi Aane Men Tumko, Narava Kahiye, Mer Qabu Men Na, Phool Barsaata Huva, Chaman Men Rang-E-Bahaar, Ham Par Jafa Se Tark-E-Wafa, Raah Dekhen Ge Multitone Prestige

Khwaab Vol. 1 Live Ghazal Live A Re Nain Kaisay Ghar (Thumri),Toofan Badal Hi, Dayer-E-Dil Ki Raat Main, Sui

Maikada, Wo Ishq Jo Ham Say, Wo Mujh Say Ho A, Jis Tarha Chaye Karam, Soni Dharti Allah Rakhay EMP

Khwaab Vol. 2 Live Ghazal Live Tere Aune Ka Dhoka, Toba Toba Meri Toba, Raat Jo Tum Ne, Bhalay Bhalay (Punjabi), Lathay Di Chadar (Punjabi), Di-E-Muztar Ko Samjhaya, Mere Ham Nafas Mere Ham EMP

Khwaab Vol. 3 Live Ghazal Live Bazoo Bund Khul (Thumri), Guloon Ki Baat Karo, Dil Jalane Ki Baat, Ibn-E-Marium Hoa, Phool Barasta Hoa, Jab Us Zulf Ki Baat Chalee, Menain Paroon Main Payal EMP

The Excellance Of Farida Khanum Ghazal Collection Aaj Jane Ki Zid Na Karo, Sham-E-Firaq Ab Na Poochh, Mohabbat Karne Wale, Donon Jahan Teri Mohabbat, Dil Jalane Ki Baat, Tere Pyar Mein Ruswa, Suey Maikada Na Jate, Aashiq Ke Liye EMI Pakistan

Tum Lakh Mujh Se Ghazal Collection Tum Lakh Mujh Se Parda Karo / Grifta Dil Hain, Maston PeUngliyan, Tum Lakh Mujh Se Parda, Hail Aisa Nahin Ke Tum, Dono Jahan Teri Nohabbat, Hum Bhi Kya Zindagi, Koun Iss Rah Se, Tumhari Anjuman Se, Rah Dekhain Gay, Etc.