Reshma (1947 – 2013) was a famous Pakistani folk singer who became popular for her mesmerizing voice. She received the third-highest honour and civilian award in Pakistan, Sitara-e-Imtiaz and was also known as the nightingale of the desert. She recorded many folk songs for Pakistan Radio and is remembered for her legendry songs in the Pakistani and Indian film Industry. People still recall her from her famous song, Lambi Judai.
Wiki/Biography
In 1947, Reshma was born in a Banjara household in the Bikaner district of Rajasthan, India. She was relocated to Karachi after the partition of India in the same year. She was born to a horse and camel trader from Malachi. Her family did not pay much attention to her education. She had no training or family background in music. Still she spent her early years singing at the shrines of Sindh, Pakistan. She was discovered by a local producer while singing at the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalander. He offered her to record a song for Pakistan Radio, and this marked as the beginning of her journey. She was once invited to meet the Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi for her legendry work.
Singer Reshma ji in her later years
Family & Caste
Reshma was born in an Islamic family.
Parents & Siblings
She was born to Haji Muhammad Mushtaq, a horse and camel trader. Her father was from Malachi, Iran, and they belonged to a tribe that converted to Islam. She also had a younger sister named Kaneez Reshma.
Husband & Children
Reshma had two children, Umair (son) and Khadija (daughter).
Career
Reshma used to sing at shrines at an early age, where a local producer Saleem Gilani discovered her. He offered her to sing for Pakistan Radio. Her first recorded song, Laal Meri Pat Rakhio became very popular. She earned fame and worked for both the Pakistani and Indian Film industry. She is the voice behind many popular songs including Ankhiyaan Nu Rehn De, Sada Chidiyaan Da Chamba Vey, Oh Laal Meri and Haaye Oh Rabba. Her famous song Ankhiyan nu rehen de ankhyan de kol kol was used by Raj Kapoor in his movie Bobby as Ankhyon ko rehne de ankhyon ke aas pass and was sung by Lata Mangeshkar. The depth and quality of her voice influenced Filmmaker Subhash Ghai to use her voice in his movie Hero for the popular song Lambi Judai. She also performed live in India when India and Pakistan allowed the exchange of artists. In the year 2004, she recorded a song for a Bollywood movie, Woh Tere Naam Tha and this song was Ashkan Di Gali Vich Mukaam De Gaya. She was the voice of peace who became the inaugural passenger of Lahore – Amritsar bus. Reshma once said that,
the borders do not matter to me… because, an artist belongs to all.”
Death
Reshma suffered from throat cancer for a long time and was in coma for a month when she passed away. She was admitted to Lahore’s Doctors Hospital on April 6, 2013. The Pakistani government decided to pay all her medical expenses. But unfortunately, she could not be saved.
Awards, Honours, Achievements
- In 1982, she received the Pride of Performance Award from the Pakistan Government.
- In 2008 she received the Sitara-i-Imtiaz award, also known as the Star of Excellence award, by the President of Pakistan.
Favourites
- Food: Reshma was found of vegetarian food and loved eating saag with makai roti and missi roti.
Facts/Trivia
- In contrast to her culture, she was a vegetarian by choice.
- She began singing at the age of 12.
- After recording her first song for Pakistan Radio, she and her family ran away and asked to return.
- At the time of her health crisis, the president of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf helped her and provided financial aid of 1 crore to pay off a bank loan.