Transitions: Pashto singer Karishma Shehzadi passes away

Music lovers and fans in shock over death of 18-year-old.


Hidayat Khan December 28, 2014

PESHAWAR:


Renowned Pashto singer Karishma Shehzadi passed away on Saturday night after being administered an allegedly spurious injection at a private clinic in Charsadda. She was only 18.


Shehzadi was the daughter of Pashto film actress Saba Khan. However, unlike her mother, she did not choose to act and instead focused on music.  She had been singing Pashto songs for some years now and had recorded songs for a number of popular films such as Ilzam, Gherat, Jawargar and Azadi. Shehzadi had also recorded a few songs in Urdu but she gained popularity for her Pashto songs.

An industry in grief

Her sudden demise has sent her friends, family and fans into a state of shock.



Shehzadi has left a void in the Pashto music scene which cannot be filled so easily. The industry has already suffered a major blow after the sudden deaths of Rabia Tabassum, Aiman Uddas and Ghazala Javed. Then Sitara Younas’ decision to bid farewell to music and settle down in Malaysia left the music scene a bit without colour.

The death of yet another nightingale has left the industry in the doldrums.

A rising star snuffed

“Music lovers are stunned by her death,” Ustad Nazir Gul, a musician, told The Express Tribune. “At such a tender age, she was able to win hearts on the strength of her talent and make a name for herself in Pashto music industry.”



According to Gul, she had recorded a song for children who lost their lives in the Army Public School massacre. The song was yet to be released. “Shehzadi’s voice gave life to the lyrics,” he said. “The song depicted this national tragedy in a powerful manner and has it in it to instantly reduce audiences to tears.”

Waqar Atal, a music composer and rabab player, said Shehzadi aspired to become a leading Pashto singer.

“She was a beacon of hope for our industry,” Atal said. “Her voice was very much in demand. Had she lived longer, she would have become a legend like Nazia Iqbal.”

As the news of the young singer’s death spread, social media was abuzz with heartfelt messages and condolences from her fans. Over a short period of time, Shehzadi had managed to carve a niche for herself in the industry.



“I came across some of the songs she sang for Pashto movies,” Wajahat Ali, one of her fans, told The Express Tribune. “I was very impressed by her music and continued to follow her music. She had a voice which will remain in our hearts forever.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 29th, 2014.

COMMENTS (4)

yar Muhammad | 9 years ago | Reply

Karisma shihzadi was my favourite and best pashto singer i realy miss her

Dawood | 9 years ago | Reply

So sad news, Karishma Shehzadi my best singer.

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