Noor Khan Bezanjo is a renowned Baloch singer known for his magical voice and extraordinary music compositions. He hails from the coastal town of Pasni, Balochistan, a city that has produced many well-known artists, poets, and singers. He completed his matriculation from Pasni High School. His interest in Medicine led him to Karachi where he acquired admission in F.Sc. However, due to circumstances, he couldn’t complete his F.Sc and later moved to Turbat, where he completed his F.A and B.A. During his stay in Karachi, his passion for music grew stronger and he began learning music under Ustad Mohammad Umer.
For higher studies, Bezanjo went to Quetta, where he remained an active member of the Baloch Student Organisation (BSO). Mubarak Qazi, a well-known poet from Pasni, says of Noor Khan Bezanjo, “Noor Khan was God-gifted, he had magic in his voice.”)
During his school days, Bezanjo would visit the music club of Ustad Ejaz Ali Baloch daily, accompanied by his friends. One of his close friends and a Benjo master, Ustad Rasool Bakhsh Fareed, recalls, “Noor Khan was well-educated about music; he knew everything in depth. When he went to the music club, he would take me along, where Ustad Ejaz assigned me to play the Benjo. From that day, I never distanced myself from it.”
Noor Khan Bezanjo’s educational expenses were covered by his elder brother, who was in the Omani army. His brother recalls that Noor Khan told him he would study law in Karachi. However, he later learned from a friend in Golimar that Noor Khan was learning music from Ustad Umer. Initially shocked and surprised, his brother was reassured when the friend told him that Noor Khan's Ustad was very satisfied with him and believed Noor Khan would become an icon in the Balochi music industry. Bezanjo did not disappoint his Ustad and indeed became the icon his Ustad dreamed of.
Music was Noor Khan’s passion, he never pursued it for money. For him, music was food for the soul. It is said that he never compromised the Balochi language and literature in his music compositions. He blended classical music modes with modern ones, making his songs unique.
Noor Khan, along with Arif Baloch and Naseer Baloch, started attending Balochi musical gatherings when he was eighteen. He was not only popular for his Balochi songs but also admired for his Urdu ghazals. He released ten albums, including "Shirkenen Yaat," "Alhaan" "Aadenk," and others.
Noor Khan Bezanjo shared an unbreakable bond with Arif Baloch and Ustad Rasool Bakhsh Fareed. They frequently attended musical events and composed many famous songs together. One of my favourite songs by Noor Khan Bezanjo is "Qasid Boro Ishtapi Ya."
A part of it goes:
سر بکن ھالاں دلبر ءَ.
وش نبیت مارا بے ترا.
اے دل تباہ انت تئی سر ءَ
وش نبیت مارا بے ترا
Inform my beloved of my condition.
“I miss you dearly.
My heart belongs entirely to you.
I long for your presence”
Even the day before his death, he attended a Mehfil in Mand, Balochistan (a city near the Iran border) with Arif Baloch. They sang until dawn, which no one knew would be his last night of singing. On the unfortunate day of August 6, 2003, Noor Khan Bezanjo took his last breath in Koshkalat, Turbat. His death is mourned to this day.
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