Naheed Akhtar

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Naheed Akhtar
ناہید اختر
Born (1956-09-26) 26 September 1956 (age 68)
Multan, Punjab, Pakistan
NationalityPakistani
OccupationSinger
Years active1970–1992
Awards3 Nigar Film Awards for Best Singer
HonoursPride of Performance (2007)
Musical career
GenresPlayback singing, Ghazal
Labels
Formerly of

Naheed Akhtar (also spelled Nahid Akhtar; born 26 September 1956) 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.[1]

Early life and family

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Naheed was born on September 26, 1956, in Multan, Punjab. She has 3 sisters and 4 brothers. A sister of hers, Hamida Akhtar, was also a singer.[2][3]

Singing career

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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 (teacher) 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 (1974). 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.[1][4]
As a playback singer, Naheed has given her voice to 590 songs in 436 Urdu and Punjabi films.

Personal life

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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.[1]

Later appearances

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Naheed Akhtar made an appearance on stage in 2013, after repeated requests of the management of a TV show,[5] 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.[6] She stays busy with her family and children, and as of 2016, is not actively pursuing a singing career.

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A list of Naheed's popular songs includes:[1]

Film

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Song Year Film Music composer Poet Notes
Dil Deewana Dil Na Jane Kyun Dharakta Rehta Hai. 1974 Nanha Farishta M. Ashraf Kaleem Usmani
Kisi Mehrban Nay Aa Kay Meri Zindagi Saja Di 1974 Shama M. Ashraf Tasleem Fazli
Lal Lal Honto Peh, Piya Tera Naam Hay 1975 Dil Nasheen M. Ashraf Masroor Anwar
Main Ho Gei Dildar Ki, Honay Lagi Chubban Pyar Ki 1975 Teray Meray Sapnay Kamal Ahmed Younis Hamdam
Allah Hi Allah Kia Karo Dukh Na Kisi Ko Dia Karo 1975 Pehchan Nisar Bazmi Masroor Anwar
Tut Turo Tara Tara 1975 Mohabbat Zindagi Hai M. Ashraf Masroor Anwar
Likh Di Ham Nay, Aaj Ki Sham, Aap Ki Khatir, Aap Kay Naam 1975 Neik Parveen A. Hameed Riaz ur Rehman Saghar
Yeh Dunya Rahay Na Rahay Meray Hamdam 1975 Mera Naam Hay Mohabbat M. Ashraf Taslim Fazli co-singer with Mehdi Hassan
Dekha Jo Mera Jalwa To Dil Tham Lo Gay 1976 Talash Nisar Bazmi Masroor Anwar
Bijli Bhari Hay Meray Ang Ang Mein 1976 Koshish M. Ashraf
Pyar To Ik Din Hona Tha, Hona Tha, Ho Geya 1976 Kharidar M. Ashraf Kaleem Usmani co-singer with A. Nayyar
Teray Siva Dunya Mein Kuch Bhi Nahin 1976 Shabana M. Ashraf Taslim Fazli
Jis Tarf Ankhon Uthaun, Teri Tasvira Hay 1976 Surraya Bhopali Nashad Saifuddin Saif co-singer with Mehdi Hassan
Sathi Mujay Mil Geya, Mil Geya Mil Geya, Rasmon Ko Toren Gay 1977 Jasoos Tafu Fayyaz Hashmi
Baant Raha Tha Jab Khuda, Sare Jahan Ki Naimten 1978 Nazrana M. Ashraf Qateel Shafai
Sahalie Ni Piar, Pyar Meinu Hoya 1985 Mehndi Wajahat Attre Khawaja Pervaiz co-singer with Noor Jehan

Television

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

Radio

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  • Phir Chiraghe Lala Se Roshan Huye, (Kalam e Iqbal)
  • Ik Kiran Muskhurati Huyi Ik Kiran
  • Saawan Rut Main Tujhe Pukaaron Geet Milan Ke Geet (song)
  • Jutti Kasuri Pehri Na Poori (Folk music of Punjab)
  • Kaala Doriya Kunde Naal Ariya (Folk music of Punjab)
  • Yeh Haadsaate Mohabbat Jahan Jahan Guzare (Ghazal)
  • 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 (Punjabi Music)

Television programmes

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Television Programmes List
Name Produced By Year
Lok Tamasha [4] Salahuddin Chaudhary And Azam Khurshid 1972
Sukhanwar Akhtar Waqar Azeem 1972
Sangat Rafiq Ahmed Warraich 1973
Yaadash Bakhair Akhtar Waqar Azeem And Farrukh Bashir 1974
1st Colour Song Rafiq Ahmed Warraich 1976
Sur Sangeet Khawaja Najmul Hassan 1978
Sukhan Fahem Muneeza Hashmi 1978
Mauseeqar Khawaja Najmul Hassan 1979
Meena Bazar Zaheer Khan 1979
Andaz Apna Apna Khawaja Najmul Hassan 1979
PTV Awards Ishrat Ansari 1980
Mehfil e Mauseeqi Arif Rana - Kanwal Naseer 1980
Eid Show Khawaja Najmul Hassan 1981
An Evening With Nahid Akhtar Farrukh Bashir 1981
Eid Show Khawaja Najmul Hassan And Farrukh Bashir 1982
Meri Pasand Khawaja Najmul Hassan 1983
Sargam Farrukh Bashir 1983
PTV Awards Zaheer Khan 1984
Neelam Ghar Ishrat Ansari 1984
Rim Jhim Farrukh Bashir 1984
Jal Tarang Farrukh Bashir 1984
Jhankar Ayub Khawar 1985
Jashne Azadi Show Farrukh Bashir 1985
Sur Bahaar Farrukh Bashir 1986
Eid Show 1987
PTV Silver Jubilee Awards Khawaja Najmul Hassan 1989
PTV Awards 1989 To 1997 Best Singer Award (Yeh Ranginiye Nau Bahaar) 1997
Top 10 Khawaja Najmul Hassan 2000

Awards and honors

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Awards and honors list
Award name Category Film Year Ref.
Nigar Film Awards Best Singer Shama 1974 [7][8]
Nigar Film Awards Best Singer Pehchan 1975 [7][8]
Nigar Film Awards Best Singer Humse Hai Zamana 1985 [7][8]
Alami Urdu Conference New Delhi (India) Best Ghazal Singer Award New Delhi (India) 1988
PTV Award Best Singer Sur Bahaar (Musical programme) 1997
Melody Queen Noor Jehan Award Music PBC (Radio Pakistan) 2006 [9]
Lux Style Awards Lifetime Achievement Award Mauritius 2007
Pride of Performance Award Arts Islamabad 2007 [10]
PTV Lifetime Achievement Award Music Islamabad 2010
Kemal-e-Fun Medal Music Lifetime Achievement 2013 [11][4][12]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Nahid Akhtar — the nightingale of Pakistan". Daily Times (newspaper). 7 November 2018. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  2. ^ "معروف گلوکارہ ناہید اختر آج اپنی 64 ویں سالگرہ منارہی ہیں". express.com.pk. 26 September 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  3. ^ "ناہید اختر -- دل کے تاروں کو چھو لینے والی آواز". Duniya News. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  4. ^ a b c She still has a lot to offer (Naheed Akhtar) Pakistan Press Foundation website, Published 16 June 2013, Retrieved 20 April 2020
  5. ^ "Naheed Akhtar to perform after two decades". Dawn. 1 June 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  6. ^ "'Naheed Akhtar singing again after 22 years'". showbizpak.com. 10 June 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2020.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ a b c "Pakistan's "Oscars"; The Nigar Awards". Desi Movies. Archived from the original on 13 June 2020.
  8. ^ a b c "Nigar Awards (1972 - 1986)". The Hot Spot Online website. 5 January 2003. Archived from the original on 25 July 2008. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  9. ^ "National Excellence Awards 2006 distribution ceremony of PBC at Jinnah Convention Center". Pakistan Tribune. Pakistan News Service. 12 February 2007. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  10. ^ "Civil awards given". Dawn (newspaper). Karachi. 24 March 2007. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  11. ^ "Down the memory lane with Naheed Akhtar". Pakistan Press Foundation website. 10 June 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  12. ^ Rs10 million cheque given to singer Naheed Akhtar Dawn (newspaper), published 14 February 2018, Retrieved 20 April 2020
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