Mumbai: "Tu mera chand mein teri chandni", the earthy voice that created a rage and captured the enigma and romance of the age, was one of the many songs that earned Suraiyya the sobriquet of the "singing star" and hard-core admirers in film stars.

Born in 1929, Suraiyya Jamad Sheikh's tryst with showbiz began in 1941 when she accompanied her uncle, Zahoor, a popular villain, to the sets of the film 'Taj Mahal'. One look at the 11-year-old Suraiyya and producer Naunubhai Vakil took an instant liking to the kid and cast her as young Mumtaz Mahal.

Suraiyya later went on to launch her career by doing children's programme on All India Radio along with Raj Kapoor who teasingly called her "Kallu". Hearing her rich voice on the radio, the legendary Naushad asked her to sing for 'Sharda' (1942). Young Suraiyya had to stand on a stool to sing into the microphone the song - "Panchi ja pichhe raha hai bachpan mera" Naushad, who turned mentor to Suraiyya, used her voice for films like 'Station Master', 'Kanoon' and 'Sanjog'.

She also caught the attention of masses with her film 'Hamari Baat'. Her films like 'Phool', 'Samarat', 'Chandragupta', 'Anmol Ghadi', '1857', 'Aaaj Ki Raat', 'Dard', 'Dillagi', 'Natak', 'Afsar' and 'Kajal' also earned her both fame and loud appreciation.

Mehboob Khan's 'Anmol Ghadi' found her recognition even though she played the second lead in the film. Her song "Socha tha kya, kya ho gaya', made her winner all the way even though she was pitted against the famous Noorjahan.

Suraiya, who was not a trained classical singer, went on to become the country's reigning superstar with songs like "Tere Naino Ne Chori Kiya", "Manmohar Hua Matwala", "Woh Paas Rahe Ya Door Rahe".

Suraiya's greatest dream of co-starring with legendary K L Saigal, came true when the star strayed into the sets of Chandragupta and asked Desai to cast for against him in Tadbir. A Saigal fan, Suraiyya acted with the legend again in Omar Khayam and Parwana.

The year 1948-49 proved lucky with films like 'Pyar Ki Jeet, Badi Behan 'and 'Dillagi' becoming hit and making her one of the highest paid female stars of her days. Interestingly, actor Dharmendra, has gone on record to state that he walked miles to watch Suriyya's 'Dillagi'.

The Suraiyya magic was apparent, when the actress went to attend the premiere of the movie 'Badi Bahen'. Crowds outside the theatre tugged at her clothes, forcing the police to resort to lathi charge to control the mob. The actress reportedly stopped attending premiere shows after that.

The actress, also created a near traffic jam at Marine Drive in Central Mumbai, forcing police to intervene to keep crowds at bay in front of her house.

Suraiyya, known for her soft corner for Hollywood actor Gregory Peck, developed a deep crush for his Indian look-alike Dev Anand during the picturising of song in a boat. The boat tipped, with the actress falling into the water. In a true Mills and Boons style, love blossomed after Dev rescued the damsel in distress.

However, unlike her on screen performances, the love story failed to have a clinched Bollywood happy ending with the actress' gradmother putting her foot down.