Ms.Tahira Syed – The CAP Podcast #30

Ms.Tahira Syed is the perfect picture of femininity, grace, and strength that every woman wants to emulate. Ms.Syed, the renowned Pakistani folk and ghazal singer is the proud daughter of the queen of ghazals and geet, Malika Pukhraj. In conversation with The Citizens Archive of Pakistan, Ms.Syed discussed her college life, career in music, the evolution of the music industry and the relationship she had with her phenomenal mother. Ms.Tahira Syed also graced us with her beautiful voice and sang a few lines.

 Tahira Syed (Urdu: طاہرہ سيد‎) (born 1958) is a Pakistani ghazal and folk singer. Her repertoire of Urdu, Punjabi and Pahari folk songs have made her a popular singer.

Early life

Tahira Sayed was born to vocalist Malika Pukhraj and Shabbir Husain, a Punjabi petty government official and writer. Tahira was made to learn singing by her mother Malika Pukhraj at age of 12. After two years of rigorous classical music training by a professional teacher, Tahira was instructed in music by her mother. Tahira Syed said in an interview that her mother was a very private person and a disciplined singer.

She obtained her primary education from the Convent of Jesus and Mary where she passed her Senior Cambridge examinations. She went on to graduate at Lahore College. She studied law at the Punjab University,Lahore obtaining an LLB degree, before enrolling for Masters in English at Kinnaird College for Women,Lahore; she later dropped out of the college.

Music career

Syed received her initial training in music from Khan Sahib Akhtar Hussain. She first appeared on air in 1968–1969 on Radio Pakistan, and then on Pakistan Television and her popularity increased in the 1970s and 1980s. "Yeh Alam Shauq Ka Dekha na Jaey", "Chanjar Phabdi Na Mutiar Bina" and "Abhi Tau Main Jawan Houn" written by the renowned Pakistani poet Hafeez Jalandhri are some of her most popular songs. She has been the recipient of various musical awards in recognition of her achievements as a singer. In April 1985, she appeared on the cover of National Geographic magazine. She has received the Pakistan TelevisionLifetime Achievement Award and also received the Pride of Performance Award from the President of Pakistan on 23 March 2013. In 1972, she won the Nigar Award for Best Female Playback Singer.

Personal life

She was married to Naeem Bukhari in 1975. The marriage lasted for 12 years before their separation and eventual divorce in 1990. They had two children together, a son, Hasnain and a daughter, Kiran. She is a well-known personality in Pakistan in 2016 and occasionally speaks publicly at art and literature events.