Pakistani singer Reshma passes away

LAHORE: Pakistani singer Reshma, famous for her folk songs and her powerful ringing voice passed away in Lahore on Sunday morning. She was suffering from throat cancer and had been in a coma for a month.
Reshma often modestly said her voice was a gift from God and she had never done riyaz and had no formal training. She had great humility and was grateful for the all recognition she got.
Her family didn’t think much of her talent but at the age of 12 she recorded the song Laal Meri on Pakistan Radio and hadn’t looked back since. She will be remembered for her famous rendition of “Badi Lambi Judai” which she ranked among her favorite songs and many other compositions to which she added a unique touch.
She was born in Bikaner in Rajasthan in a nomadic Banjara community and her family moved to Karachi after 1947. She has sung for both the Pakistan and Indian film industry and performed in India too.
Her fans will remember her for Dama Dam Mast Kalandar, Wey mein chori chori, Ankhiyan nu rehan de and Lambi Judai.
She was awarded the ‘Sitara-i-Imtiaz’ and ‘Legends Of Pakistan’ by the president. In her mid sixties, she is survived by two children.
During his tenure with Radio Pakistan, Journalist Murtaza Solangi launched a series of programs at different radio stations to pay tribute to living legends and one of them was Reshma.
Solangi said, “How could I forget Reshma? In my youthful years her voice always enriched me and she connected Rajasthan, Cholistan and Sindh. She was the voice of love and peace...”
Solangi said when she started singing, she made many eyes misty. “When I put a woolen shawl from Sindh on her shoulders, she had an amazing smile. It smells of home, she told me.
She is not with us, but her voice will always be with us. I will always remember Reshma, the flower of desert, symbol of love, music and peace!”