Reshma

Reshma is a celebrated Pakistani folk singer known for her powerful singing voice and unique renditions of traditional songs. She received the Sitara-i-Imtiaz, which is the third highest civilian award in Pakistan, for her contributions to music.

Early life and education

Reshma was born around 1947 in the village of Loha, Ratangarh, Churu near Bikaner in Rajasthan, India. Her father, Haji Muhammad Mushtaq, worked as a trader of horses and camels from Malashi. She belonged to a nomadic Banjara tribe that had converted to Islam. When she was only one month old, her family relocated to Karachi following the Partition of India.

She did not receive any formal education during her youth. Instead, she spent much of her childhood singing at the mazars, or shrines, of mystic saints located in Sindh, Pakistan. These performances helped shape her connection to folk traditions.

Career

The singer was discovered at the age of 12 by Saleem Gilani, who worked as a producer for Pakistani television and radio. While she was singing at the Shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan, Gilani arranged for her to record "Lal Meri Pat Rakhio" on Radio Pakistan in 1968. This project became an instant hit and catapulted her to fame. She has appeared on television since 1968 and has recorded songs for both the Pakistani and Indian film industries.

Her discography includes several memorable tracks such as "Dama Dam Mast Kalandar", "Lambi Judai" and "Ankhiyan Nu Rehen De". Subhash Ghai utilized her voice in the film Hero, which featured the song "Lambi Judai". In 2004, she recorded "Ashkan Di Gali Vich Mukaam De Gaya" for the Bollywood film Woh Tera Naam Tha. Her fame reached across borders through pirated tapes, and she eventually performed live in India during the 1980s when artist exchanges were permitted.

In January 2006, Reshma traveled on the inaugural Lahore-Amritsar bus service, which was the first such link between both parts of the Punjab since 1947. She was one of 26 passengers on this journey and had booked seven seats for herself and her family. During her career, she also met with the Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi.

Reshma faced significant health challenges after being diagnosed with throat cancer in the 1980s. As her condition worsened, President Pervez Musharraf provided one million Rupees to assist with a bank loan and established a monthly assistance of 10,000 rupees. The Punjab caretaker government also elected to cover her medical expenses when she was hospitalized at Doctors Hospital in Lahore on 6 April 2013. She died on 3 November 2013 in a Lahore hospital after falling into a coma in October 2013.

Personal life

Reshma married Muhammad Khan, a man from within her extended family. Her younger sister, Kaneez Reshma, also works as a professional singer. During her later years, she resided in the Ichhra area of Lahore, Pakistan.

Awards and recognition

The Government of Pakistan presented her with the Pride of Performance Award in 1982. In 2000, she received the Best Singer award at the PTV Awards. The President of Pakistan awarded her the Sitara-i-Imtiaz in 2008 for her services to the nation.