Born in a small Kosovo village in Pagarushë / Pagaruëa, Nexmija introduced herself to music thanks to her father. The father, Veseli, was a teacher, while the mother, Sehide, was a housewife. In an interview with Genta Popa, a few years ago, the singer confessed that when he was a child, his father was holding him in his lap while playing mandolin. "Maybe that's where I got the talent," she said. At the age of 4, Najmiya lost her mother. As the eldest child, she took care of her entire family. Shortly before World War II, her family moved to Prizren where she completed primary school.
Nexhmija attended the gymnasium in Pristina, where she was introduced to Melihate Hasani, also a singer. Melihatja persuaded Nexhmije to subscribe to Radio Prishtina. At 14, Nexhmija became Radio Pristina's solo singer.
At the time, Najmiyya was publicly prejudiced as it was considered a shame for a young girl to sing on the radio. Her father made sure to support and protect her from the pressure of the conservative environment. Throughout high school, Najmiya's talent became undeniable. Her career as a theater and film actress began in those years.
At 18, Nexhmije went to Belgrade to attend a music high school that he left after two years. ?I didn't like singing about canto. I didn't like that deep breathing. As if it was bothering me, "the singer told Shqiptarja.com in 2018." I had my way of singing, what nature had forgiven me. This was a voice that everyone liked, even though it was an impostor. "
Najmija was admitted to the Ivo Lola Ribar Cultural Arts Association. In Belgrade she had her first musical performance on stage. Around 1948, she became acquainted with composer and musician Rejo Mulliqi, who became her husband. "Baresha," perhaps her most famous song, was composed by Mulliqi. They gave birth to a son, Leonard, who now lives with his family in Switzerland.
In 1953, she returned to Pristina and held her first classical music concert. Najmiya performed various bears from Beethoven, Puccini, Verde etc. He was held hostage to the last days of his life by the fact that this concert was not recorded. Soon after, Radio Pristina hired him as a soloist.
During the 1960s, Nexhmije Pagarusha traveled the world giving concerts. She has performed in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, England, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, America and the Middle East. Thus, Pagarusha became well known in the world.
Pagarusha has participated in numerous festivals: Summer Song, Chords Kosova, Jugovizija 1973. In the early 1970s, the BBC aired a detailed interview with the singer.
Nexhmije Pagarusha has sung more than 150 songs and performed roles in dozens of theatrical plays and movies.
In 1984, after a concert in Sarajevo, she gave up her music career. In 2012, she received the title "Honor of the Nation" from President Bujar Nishani. While in 2018, he received the "Medal of Appreciation" from President Trump.
We conclude this short biography with a quote from Pagarusha: ?I have traveled a great deal with the song, and with the song I have spoken the language of my people. Our people have an ancient culture. Those unnamed composers have created and given the song a name. Let the youth sing it, but give the soul of the people where the source is. "
