Her singing career found a mentor in music maestro Naushad. Suraiya had
participated in a children`s programme on All India Radio after friend Raj
Kapoor and neighbour Madan Mohan had cajoled her. Naushad heard Suraiya on the
radio and chose her to sing as 13 year old for Mehtab in Kardar`s Sharda, 1942.
Suraiya had to stand on a stool to reach the mike to croon Panchi ja, picturised
on the much-older heroine, Mehtaab.
