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    TRIBUTE TO THE NIGHTINGALE OF THE DESERT

    Written by: Syed Abbas Hussain
    Posted on: November 18, 2013 | | 中文

    Reshma, often referred to as the ‘Nightingale of the desert’, breathed her last on the 3rd of November in Lahore, succumbing to a longstanding battle with throat-cancer.

    She received no formal training in music, but her raw, husky voice simmered with over powering emotion. This enabled her to carve a distinct identity for herself in subcontinental music, which was dominated by playback, ghazal and classical singers at the time. She was one of the pioneers of folk music and sang mostly in the Punjabi dialect, embodying a heritage she inherited from the deserts of Rajasthan, her place of birth.  She could thus be credited for bringing this genre into the mainstream. Born into a gypsy family in 1947 in Bikaner, she migrated with her family to Karachi soon after the partition of India when she was only a month old. The modesty of the iconic singer was perhaps an offshoot of her humble roots and she remained unaffected by the stardom that welcomed her. Sporting simple Rajasthani shalwar kameez in concerts and public appearances may not have given her an aura of a quintessential celebrity, but her soulful, indigenous voice had the power to mesmerize.

    Icons of the entertainment industry paying tribute to Reshma at the Lux Style Awards

    Ghazal Singer Ghulam Ali Khan at the recent Khayaal Literature Festival in Lahore spoke about Reshma’s simplicity and how she was not very adept at handling monetary issues. He narrated an incident where a promoter in the United States took off with a large sum of money that he owed her, leaving her high and dry. “I remember Reshma being all disillusioned and helpless; she was too simple and innocent to deal with the misgivings of conniving financiers. I helped her recover her money and she was profusely grateful.’’

    Reshma with Atif Aslam at the Lux Style Awards

    Popular TV anchor Ayesha Sana who interviewed her on her morning show Meena Bazaar, recalls her distinct personality. ‘’I had the honour of interviewing her and remember a unique aura about her. I can safely say that I have never interviewed anyone like her. Her mannerisms and gestures gave her a profound persona. On my show she only sang a stanza as her poor health permitted her to render just that, but her voice resonated throughout the set.’’

    Fame knocked at Reshma’s doorstep quite early on in life; she was noticed by a television and radio producer as she sang ‘Laal Meri Pat’ at the shrine of the famous  Sufi saint Shabaz Kalandar.

    This song was recorded for radio and garnered immense success. This was followed by many memorable melodies: Nee Main Chori Chori’, ‘Hayyo Rabba Naee Lagda Dil Mera’, ‘Sun Charkhay Dee and ‘Lambi Judai, the last one earning her laurels across the border.

    Renowned lawyer and activist Raza Kazim, who had the opportunity of recording some of Reshma’s songs in his music studio, explains how Reshma’s spontaneity and honesty made her stand out. ‘’Reshma was extraordinary like an outstanding rose in a rose garden. That was principally because she was so emotionally integrated and truthful. There was never any acting involved in her singing; she always sang for herself rather than the audience. She sang her heart out and in a powerful manner that was a part of her individual makeup.  She belonged to a desert (Rajasthan) where many great singers from the tradition of Indian Classic Music trace their origins. Perhaps these singers get that vigour and emotion in their singing from the yearning that stems from the thirst experienced in an arid desert.’’ 

    Reshma appeared on television for the first time in the 1960’s and performed in India on several occasions, where she was offered to lend her vocals to a Bollywood film by noted producer Subhash Ghai. Her song ‘Lambi Judai’, that was a part of the original soundtrack of the film ‘Hero’ had music lovers from India eating right of her palms.  Hindi film music incorporated many of Reshma’s popular tunes; ‘Akhiaan Nu Rende’ was sung as ‘Akhion Ko Rehne De’ in Raj Kapoor’s cult film Bobby and the composition of ‘Nee Main Chori Chorias ‘Yaara Silee Silee’ in the film Laikin, by famed playback singer Lata Mangeshkar.

    Reshma’s brand of music went on to get appreciated across the globe; the passion and longing in her voice melted many hearts.

    In October 2002, she gave her last overseas performance at the Brunei Gallery in London to a packed hall consisting mainly of Pakistani expats, and her last album ‘The Nomad’ was released in 2005. Though diagnosed with throat cancer in the 1980’s, she remarkably continued to go strong as a vocalist all the way till the 2000’s.

    Reshma with Yusuf Salahuddin

    Her tragic death left a void in Pakistan’s music industry and even generated a broader discussion with some artists lamenting the lack of appreciation and care given to legends during their lifetime.  Mekaal Hasan, founder of the famous Mekaal Hasan Band was one of them. ‘The demise of Reshma is a loss for folk music and its fans worldwide. It is a shameful comment on the callousness of our society that we offer platitudes for the departed but do nothing for such valuable cultural assets while they are alive. So many have perished in impoverished conditions while society continues to relegate music and its practitioners to a pariah like status. ’’

    Lollywood star Resham underscored similar concerns. “When singers leave this world it is only then that a tribute is given to them and articles written on their achievements. If only tributes were to be given in their lifetime. Does an artist have to die to earn a tribute?’’

    Reshma leaves behind a legacy of music that has inspired many young musicians of today’s time. Her haunting voice will remain as a memory of an inimitable and soul-stirring singer. She is survived by a son and a daughter.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021