The Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) in association with the Ministry of National Heritage and Integration arranged a musical night titled ‘Shaam-e-Tehseen’ to pay tribute to legendary singer Reshma. The singer who is valiantly battling cancer, performed after a very long time at the PNCA.
Reshma’s daughter Shazia Reshma, niece Ruby Reshma, Gulshan Ara, an artist from Faisalabad and Muhammad Ali, a disciple of Mehdi Hassan, presented renditions of famous folk songs.
Reshma’s voice mesmerised the audience despite having become noticeably frail since she was first diagnosed with cancer. Many attendees were teary eyed when she performed what seemed to be a lip-synched version of ‘Hath Jorni Ann Mein’. She later sang ‘Lambi Judai’ live while pausing to take sips of water.
The programme started off with Ruby Reshma singing a Punjabi song ‘Sanu Keeta Piyar, Teray Naal Way’ after which she sang duets ‘Goriay, Mein Jana Perdes’ and ‘Ja Wey Perdesia’ with Muhammad Ali. The next performance was by promising folk singer Gulshan Ara who sang one of Reshma’s most famous songs, ‘Kithay Nain Na Joreen’, ‘Hay O Rabba, Nahiu Lagda Dil Mera’ and ‘Lambi Judai’.
Shazia Reshma, Reshma’s daughter began her performance with famous sufi kalam ‘Jhoolay Lal’ followed by a rendition of Reshma’s hit song ‘Chori Chori’ and ended her singing rendition with ‘Akheiyan Nu Rehn Day’.
National Heritage and Integration Secretary Freedullah Khan, PNCA DG Tauqir Nasir, diplomats and a number of art lovers attended the event to acknowledge the services of Reshma. Kanwal Naseer conducted the show. Fareedullah Khan said he prayed for Reshma’s long life and was pleasantly surprised to see her performing after such a long time and that everyone had felt deprived at not being able to hear her for so long.
He said the last time he saw Reshma was on a private television channel. “She is an asset for this country and we all want her to continue singing,” the secretary said. Tauqir Nasir said artists played a great role in promoting a soft image of Pakistan at home and abroad. “Our legends are praiseworthy for their contribution in their respective fields. Reshma is our pride and it is our duty to promote and protect our cultural heroes,” he said. Reshman, while appreciating the efforts of the PNCA, thanked her fans for their support.
The renowned folk singer was born in Loha village in tehsil Ratangarh, Rajasthan to a Banjara (gypsy) family in 1947. She has garnered global fame for her folk music since she was first discovered by Radio Pakistan. In 2004 her rendition of ‘Ashkan Di Gali Vich’ topped Indian music charts. Her famous numbers also include ‘Dama Dam Mast Kalandar’, ‘Hai O Rabba Nahion Lagda Dil Mera’, ‘Sun charkhe di mithi mithi cook mahiya meinu yaad aunda’, ‘Wey main chori chori’, ‘Ankhiyan no rehen de ankhyan de kol kol’, and others.
Reshma was able to perform live in India for the first time during the ’80s when India and Pakistan allowed the exchange of artists. Indian director Subhash Ghai used her voice to great effect in the song ‘Lambi Judai’. Reshman was also awarded the Sitara-i-Imtiaz for her contributions to Pakistani music.
