Naheed Akhtar


Naheed Akhtar is a Pakistani playback singer. She is tagged as the "Nightingale of Pakistan". She was the top Lollywood playback singer during the second half of the 1970s and 80s. She is one of the most popular and successful singers of Pakistan. She won 3 Nigar Awards and a Pride of Performance in 2007.

Early life and family

Naheed was born on 26 September 1956, in Multan, Punjab. She has 3 sisters and 4 brothers. A sister of hers, Hamida Akhtar, was also a singer.

Singing career

Naheed's career began in 1970 when she sang a duet with Khalid Asghar in "Raag Malhar" at Radio Pakistan Multan. She has recorded songs in a range of styles, including Pakistani film music, pop, Ghazal, traditional Pakistani classical music, Punjabi folk songs, Qawwalis, Naat & Hamds and others. She was first discovered for films in the mid-1970s by veteran music director M. Ashraf who pursued her to sing in films. She had no well-known person as ustad to train her musically but music director M. Ashraf played a key role in grooming her talent. Her inaugural film "Nanha Farishta" was released in 1974 and in the same year she sang songs in film Shama. Initially it was said in the film circles that she was introduced to fill the vacuum of Runa Laila who had migrated to Bangladesh. But later people realized that she had her own original singing style. She was active in the Pakistani film industry all the way through the 1980s.
As a playback singer, Naheed has given her voice to 590 songs in 436 Urdu and Punjabi films.

Personal life

Naheed left singing in 1986. Later, she married a journalist Asif Ali Pota in 1994. Both had a daughter and a son together. Pota died of cardiac arrest in 2017.

Later appearances

Naheed Akhtar made an appearance on stage in 2013, after repeated requests of the management of a TV show, where active and popular singers like Shabnam Majeed, Humaira Channa, Humaira Arshad, Fariha Pervez, Saira Naseem, A. Nayyar, Hamid Ali Khan and Saima Jehan sang her songs to pay tribute to her. She stays busy with her family and children, and as of 2016, is not actively pursuing a singing career.

Popular songs

A list of Naheed's popular songs includes:

Television

Main Noo Soda Water Le De We Roz Baalma Kehndi
  • Shikar Dopehre Wangan Waala Aa Ni Gaya
  • Aap Sass Palange Lait Dee
  • Sui We Sui Tanghi Saarhaane Meri Sass
  • Pehron Aas Na Paas Hai Koi Aisi Bhi Kya Veerani Ho
  • Rut Rangeeli Aayi Kalli Kali Muskhayi
  • Nazar Se Nazar Kya Mili Zindagi Mil Gayi Ajnabi Ajnabi
  • Jaaneman Jaane Jaahan Bolo Na Kahan Ho Tum Bin Laage Sooni Sooni Shaam
  • Kuch Din To Basoo Meri Aankhon Main Phir Khwaab Agar Ho Jaao To Kya
  • Aankhain Jhin Ko Dekhna Paayen Sapnon Mein Bikhra Dena
  • Kyoon Dekhoon Main Aur Kissi Ko Woh Hain Jab In Aankhon Main
  • Bohat Dinon Sey Mujhe Tera Intezar Hai Aa Jaa Aur Ab To Khaas Wahi Aati Hai Pawan Jaati hai Pawan Hamara Parcham Ye Piyara Parcham
  • Tujh Sey Hum Mansoob Hain Aise Aasman Se Taare Jaise
  • Jug Jug Jiye Mera Pyara Watan Lab Pe Dua Hai Dil Main Laagan
  • Zindagi Apni Watan Ki Zindagi Ka Naam Hai Kabhi Bindiya Hanse Kabhi Nain Hanse Geet (song)
  • Urtey Lamhon Ne Pehni Hai Dhanak Rang Ki Maala Geet (song)
  • Ab Ke Saawan Bhichde Saathi Dil Ki Nagri Aana Waada Bhool Na Jaana Geet (song)Shabe Gham Mujh Se Mil Kar Aise Royi Tumse Ulfat Ke Takaze Na Nibhaaye Jaate Jahan Tera Naqsh e Qadam Dekhtay Hein Chaap Tilak Sab Chheen Li Re Mosay Naina Milaaike Mere Roothe Sanam Tujhe Meri Kasam Na Jaana Dil Thor Ke, Music Composer
  • Thak Gayi Hai Nazar Chale Aao Chale Aao Hogayi Hai Saahar Chale Aao
  • Ghannan Ghannan Ghann Gaarje Baadarwa
  • Kat Hi Gayi Judaai Bhi Kab Yeh Hua Ke Mar Gaye

Radio

Phir Chiraghe Lala Se Roshan Huye, Ik Kiran Muskhurati Huyi Ik Kiran
  • Saawan Rut Main Tujhe Pukaaron Geet Milan Ke Geet (song)
  • Jutti Kasuri Pehri Na Poori
  • Kaala Doriya Kunde Naal Ariya
  • Yeh Haadsaate Mohabbat Jahan Jahan Guzare
  • Kahiye To Kiya Sunaon Afsana Zindagi Ka (Ghazal)
  • Saat Rangee Meri Odhani Ka Ek Ek Rang Nirala Geet (song)
  • Sajna Noon Kadi Jhutaa Laara Nai Laai Da