Suraiya

Early Life

Born: 15 June 1929
Place of Birth: Lahore, Punjab, British India (now in Pakistan)
Native Place Mentioned: Gujranwala, Pakistan

Suraiya grew up during the golden age of Indian cinema and displayed remarkable talent as both an actress and a singer from a very young age.

Rise to Stardom

Suraiya became one of the most celebrated personalities of Hindi cinema in the 1940s and 1950s. She was a singing star, known for performing her own playback songs—an exceptional accomplishment at the time.

She delivered memorable performances in several landmark films, including:

• Anmol Ghadi (1946)
• Dard (1947)
• Dillagi (1949)
• Dastaan (1950)

Her expressive acting and mellifluous voice made her one of the most adored stars of her era.

Title and Fame

Suraiya was lovingly called the “Melody Queen” (Malika-e-Tarannum) for her captivating voice. She was equally admired for her beauty and grace and is remembered as one of the earliest female superstars of Indian cinema, often referred to as “Malika-e-Husn.”

Passing

Died: 31 January 2004
Place: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Her legacy continues to live on through her songs and films, which remain cherished by generations of cinema lovers.

Philatelic Tribute

India Post honoured her extraordinary contribution to Indian cinema by issuing a commemorative postage stamp on Suraiya, celebrating her as an iconic Hindi film actress and playback singer, as part of the series “100 Years of Indian Cinema.”