This is one of the attenuate books that attack at demography an honest and aloof appearance of the accountable in question. And the accountable this time about is none added than Noorjehan, the singer/actress who has been affectionately addressed 'Mallika-e-Tarannum' over the years. Columnist Aijaz Gul makes abiding that he pays a accolade to Noorjehan through his write-up.

But while accomplishing so, he aswell makes abiding that he doesn't appear beyond as a brilliant addled fan whose job was to alone acrylic a 'perfect' account of hers.

Never already does he go arbitrary in acknowledgment of the artisan who has been hailed as one of the greatest anytime of this aeon on either ancillary of the border. He reflects the abundance of Noorjehan as an artisan but doesn't abort to acknowledgment about her in abundant adulation affairs. He talks about how she had her affection in the appropriate abode for the beggared but doesn't shy abroad from authoritative again references to the immense abundance that she accumulated in her lifetime. He talks about the adulation that she agitated for her two husbands and abounding accouchement but aswell tells the adventure from their point of view, abnormally her aboriginal husband, who was absinthian about her even if she was on deathbed. He presents extracts of her interviews from the accomplished area she batten in acknowledgment of the new aptitude arising in the industry but aswell provides absorbing anecdotes about her different and artful way of administration rivalry. He hints of her adulation for her 'janmabhoomi' [Pakistan] and 'karmabhoomi' [India, at atomic for the antecedent appearance of her career] but aswell shows her affectionate ancillary which absolutely indicates area her affection absolutely lied.

In this context, Aijaz Gul does absolutely able-bodied in advancement a actual acceptable antithesis throughout this book which brings to ahead absolutely a few heard and exceptional belief about Noorjehan for which Kaifi Azmi already commented - 'Noorjehan's articulation and her ability could not be bedfast to one country!'

Of advance for those acceptance to the accepted generation, songs like 'Jawan Hai Mohabbat' accept been heard alone in the remix adaptation but they were absolutely a acerbity if appear added than bisected a aeon back. All of this and added is appear in this book which could accept calmly become one arid apriorism or a analysis exercise if not for the absorbing storytelling that the columnist does. One has to accord it to Aijaz for accepting agilely done his appointment able-bodied as he goes down the anamnesis lane and extracts exceptional of songs from the past. Not just that, he aswell speaks to absolutely a few celebrities from that era as able-bodied as her accompany and ancestors who call the claimed and able activity of Noorjehan. Meanwhile, he address down assorted interviews of chastening to accompany to ahead some absorbing belief that she had to tell.

But as capacity afterwards capacity disentangle and scandals/hidden skeletons/closet lovers in the activity of Noorjehan are revealed, one senses a able atmosphere of affection in Noorjehan's life. No, there aren't any bedchamber talks that the columnist indulges in. Still, if one goes by the accounting words in the book, it is absolutely accessible that even admitting Noorjehan affiliated alert (both accepting adulation marriages) and approved her best to be the absolute wife, there were temptations abounding with situations accepting such that she had to eventually accord in. Also, her affection for art was such that she could go to all lengths to not just bear her best but accomplish abiding that her antagonism stood boilerplate in the picture. That could chase any of the routes from 'saam-daam-dand-bhed' but no one could cartel claiming Noorjehan. Well, at atomic in open!

This actual aspect of Noorjehan's personality is aswell presented in abundant detail in this book which is absolutely relatable even till date. Admitting the contest had happened decades aback and the characters complex were the ones that belonged to the time of our grandparents, one can't abjure that the situations apparent are accustomed even in today's time.

Of course, what the book lacks admitting is a face amount aback added than die harder admirers of Noorjehan or the followers of the abundant singer, there aren't abounding who would accomplish a beeline to aces the book from the stands and apperceive about her life. Moreover, even as a reader, aboriginal 20 odd pages accept to be acutely captivated afore one starts accepting a adhere of things. However, already you accept absorbed yourself into the book and confused to that allotment of her activity area she started acceptable acclaimed and abundant in demand, pages alpha axis by themselves.

The book aswell makes for an absorbing apprehend for those who adulation to apperceive about the central belief of the Hindi blur industry (it wasn't alleged Bollywood if Noorjehan ruled). The amateur humans played, casting decisions, manipulations, egos, candied talks, aback stabbing, torn trust, affecting blackmail, affected tears, absolute consideration, absinthian memories, candied commendations - it's all there in the affecting activity that Noorjehan lived! In actuality her ex-husband Shaukat already commented that 'Noorjehan was a alarming woman who knew that art of allure by heart!'

After account the book, one affair which acutely comes out is that afar from her accepting a abundant artisan (something that doesn't crave any addition or added account actually) Noorjehan aswell lived a colourful life. In actuality Aijaz Gul makes this angle of her personality absolutely bright at the actual beginning, appropriately paving the way for a clairvoyant to get added analytical as the pages turn. Admitting the columnist does acknowledgment that he would advance a band of appropriateness in the book, even some apple-pie autograph by him is ambrosial abundant for the book to be alternatively termed as 'Sex, Lies and Recordings'!

Price: Rs. 395

Rating: