KISHWAR SULTAN: Legendary Pashtun Singer From Peshawar

KISHWAR SULTAN: Legendary Pashtun Singer From Peshawar.

Kishwar Sultan was born in Peshawar in 1936. She died in 2002. She was the only child of Chaudry Roshan Khan (father) and Bakht Nissa (mother). She did not have brothers and sisters of her own but had 4 step brothers (named Nadir, AbdulRehman, Meer Ahmed, and Mumtaz). She got her basic education from her husband Mr. Tariq Mahmood, enabling her to read and write Pashto and Urdu. She grew up in Peshawar and was a typical house wife who took care of her kids.

She was introduced to Radio station Peshawar in the early 1950s. Her first song (written by poet Gulistan) was:

Ya Illahi rawalay yao zal guli khandan

Her last song recorded in 1991 (essentially a remix of her own old song) was:

Zar sham maida maida maida maida, qurban sham warray, warra warra raza.

Her favorite female singer was Gulnar Begam; whereas her favorite male singers were Khayal Mohammad and Hedayatullah. Of her own songs, she liked the following song (written by Ustaz Amir Ghulam Sadiq for Pashto film Deedan):

"Ruk da meenay noom sha dagha hall ta chi nazar kri sook"

Kishwar Sultan was always supportive of new singers and used to advise them that hard work is the key to success; there are no shortcuts to succeed. Kishwar Sultan was born in a family with many relatives associated with the music career. Two of her sons Wahid Tariq (Late) and now Khalid Khan are actively associated with pashto music. Her daughter (Janana) was also a very good singer during late 1970s, with many great songs to her credit. 

Kishwar Sultan had a sweet and melodious voice that was rich with soz and dard. Among all genre of music, she had great penchant for Pashto Tappa and Baddala, and that is where she had advantage over her competitors (e.g., Gulnar Begum and others). Many pashto movie lovers would primarily flock to the cinema just to listen to her Tappas and Baddala. She was the first lady in Pukhtoonkhawa who was awarded the presidential pride of performance on August 14, 1979.

As a person, Kishwar Sultan was a proud pukhtana who would receive vistors at her home with open heart, and in seconds qahwa (green tea) would be served. The writer had the opportunity to visit her twice at her residence in Jehangirpura, Peshawar, and each time Kishwar Sultan was a proud Pukhtana host. She was very kind and soft spoken. All Pakhtuns love Kishwar Sultan and will always pray for her soul. 

(Wikipedia: Courtesy Droonpukhtoon)

We should always remember our legends, otherwise we will forget ourselves also.