Folk singer Reshma remembered on 8th death anniversary

LAHORE (92 News) – The eighth death anniversary of Pakistani folk singer Reshma is being observed on Wednesday(today).

She was highly dynamic and versatile singer, who enthralled the world with her powerful singing. Her singing style in Punjabi was full-throated and unabashedly mesmerizing. She was awarded several national awards including the prestigious award Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Star of Distinction) by the president of Pakistan.

Reshma rose to fame at a very young age of 12 years old. She was spotted singing at Shahbaz Qalander’s shine by TV and radio producer Saleem Gilani, who recorded her song ‘Laal Meri’ on Pakistan radio which became a massive hit among the masses.

Due to pirated tapes at that time her songs became famous across the border. It was in the year 1980’s when Reshma was able to perform live in India. Subhash Ghai used her voice in the film Hero, which featured one of her most famous songs, ‘Lambi Judai’.

Born in Rajasthan, India in a nomadic Banjara household, her family rehabilitated to Karachi after the partition of India. Her fans gave her the title of ‘Nightingale of Desert’.

Some of her famous songs include ‘Dama Dam Mast Kalandar’, ‘Hai O' Rabba nahion lagda dil mera’, ‘Sun charkhe di mithi mithi khook mahiya meinu yaad aunda’, ‘Lambi Judai’ and ‘Ankhiyan no rehen de ankhyan de kol kol’.

Reshma was diagnosed with throat cancer in the 1980s. In later years, her health deteriorated, leading President Pervez Musharraf to come to her aid, giving her Rs one million to help pay off a bank loan, as well as putting her on a secured assistance of Rs 10,000 per month.

She died due to throat cancer in 2013 after being in coma for a month. With her death, country lost a legendary singer and her services would always be remembered for a long time to come.