Tribute to Reshma: Celebrating a folk legend

Reshma calls upon audience to work for preserving Radio Pakistan.

LAHORE:

Folk Singer Reshma’s greatness can be summed up in her belonging to a family with no history of music. Her melodious voice is a gift from God and a result of her hardwork. She has not been coached by any musician in her family, singer Shaukhat Ali said on Thursday.

Ali was speaking at a tribute organised for Reshma by Radio Pakistan. Reshma was also in attendance. The elderly singer dressed in an orange and red outfit appeared to as lively as she used to be in her heyday.

Shaukhat Ali recalled occasions when he had recorded songs at Radio Pakistan with Reshma and said that each performance increased his respect for the folk singer. “I’m in awe of her vocal talent. She has a unique voice,” he said. He said despite its great tradition of music, India had yet to find a singer like Reshma.

Ali paid tribute to the singer by performing one of her songs.

He highlighted the importance of Radio Pakistan in providing a platform to emerging artists and singers before the popularity of television. He said Radio’s contribution for promotion of music in Pakistan could never be matched by television.

Earlier, Reshma gave a short performance of one of her most famous songs ‘Lumbi Judai’.

The effect of disease was visible as the legendary singer forced herself into singing the raags that were once the hallmark of her performances. She has discontinued singing because of her ailment.

Reshma said she would always remember Radio Pakistan as the place that let her discover her singing talent. “In the early years of my career, I would come to the recording studio at around 7am and continue rehearsing till midnight,” she said.

“Pakistan Radio has been an integral part of our lives, we have to preserve it,” she said.

Reshma said she was persuaded to take up singing as a career by a producer on Radio Pakistan.

Reshma said she had always carried herself as an ambassador of Pakistan during her trips to foreign countries. “Where I went I took special care to ensure that my dupatta stayed on my head. I always found pride in representing my country,” she said.

“Meray Babu, Meray Badshah, I need nothing but my wish is that this country becomes a better place,” the singer said, addressing Governor Sardar Latif Khosa who was also in attendance.

Film actor Mustafa Qureshi, renowned for his archetypical roles in Punjabi films, said because of its access to more villages and smaller cities, radio had been instrumental in connecting various parts of the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 9^th, 2012.