Islamabad: Melody queen Malika Pukhraj, who immortalised ghazals and whose rendition of "Abhi To Main Jawan Hoon" still strikes a chord in the hearts of the young and the old alike, died in Lahore today (Feb 4, 2004) after a protracted illness.

She was 93.

Malika had her origins in the Akhnoor region of Jammu and Kashmir and belonged to a family of musicians who performed at royal concerts in Jammu.

She received her training in music from Akhtar Hussain and Ustad Ali Baksh Kasurwale, who was the state musician of Jammu.

She began her career as the court musician of the ruler of Jammu and also sang for the radio. She later started singing in musical soirees and concert platforms all over the country. Her programmes were broadcast from Kolkata, Delhi, Lahore and Lucknow radio stations.