One of the original singing stars and legend of Bollywood. Suraiya, a favourite of Naushad the music maestro, debuted as a child star with Taj Mahal (1941), and subsequently went on to play many memorable roles in films such as Anmol Ghadi, Badi Bahen and Dillagi in her long career. She reached the pinnacle of her career in the early 1950s, when she commanded audience interest as few others in Indian cinema ever have. After her role in Mirza Ghalib (1954) Suraiya continued acting but did not attract much viewer attention. Suraiya who never married lived the life of a recluse in Bombay, until her demise after a brief illness. She was vivacious and had passion for literature, especially Urdu poetry. She was very fastidious about the company she kept. At the time of her funeral there was no relative present. According to some, the actress had no close relative in India, though there are a few in Pakistan. Born in Lahore, as Suraiya Jamal Shaikh, the charming singer had never received any formal training in music.