18 years since legendary singer, film-maker Inayat Hussain Bhatti left us

He also directed films such 'Chann Makhna', 'Sajan Pyara' and 'Ishq Deewana'

LAHORE: The 18^th death anniversary of iconic Pakistani playback singer, film-maker, actor, Inayat Hussain Bhatti is being observed today, May 31. In this connection, various personalities from the Lahore's entertainment circuit came forth to praise the late artist and his contributions to Pakistani entertainment.



Inayat was born in 1928 in Gujrat and moved to Lahore to pursue further studies. As fate would have it, he ended up singing for Radio Pakistan and subsequently, for the 1949 Punjabi hit Pheray. And the rest, as they say, is history.

PHOTO;FILE

Inayat sang for nearly 500 films, in both Urdu and Punjabi. His impressive discography includes 2,500 songs. In 1960, the singer also set up a theatre which later became known for renditions of Sufi poetry such as that of Waris Shah, Bulleh Shah and Mian Muhammad Baksh . He also worked as a producer, director and script-writer, as well as a social worker in his 50-year-long career, making films like Chann Makhna, Sajan Pyara and Ishq Deewana.

“Inayat was a big name in Punjabi folk singing, as well as acting. His theatre became very popular during the 60s, 70s and 80s, singer Shoukat Ali told The Express Tribune.

“He was a real superstar who worked with almost all the big actors and actresses of his time. Inayat even sang some naats and kalaams, worked for PTV and highlighted many social evils through his films,” added film-maker Iqbal Kashmiri. “He was truly one of a kind.”

Inayat passed away in 1997, succumbing to paralysis attack. He was 71.

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