Ghulam Abbas

Ghulam Abbas (born 1 January 1955) is a Pakistani radio, television, and film singer. He is known for his ghazals, geets, and playback singing for Urdu and Punjabi movies. Besides winning 4 Nigar Awards as a playback singer, he was also honored with the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Medal of Excellence) in 2011 and the Pride of Performance Award in 2020 by the President of Pakistan.

Early life and education Ghulam Abbas was born on 1 January 1955, in Jhang, Punjab, Pakistan. He got his school education in Multan. His higher education includes master's degrees in Philosophy and Urdu literature.

Singing career Playback singer Mehdi Hassan noticed this young boy and introduced him to his mentor Ismail Khan. Abbas got an advanced classical training in singing from him.

Ghulam Abbas started his playback singing career with a Punjabi film "Aashiq Loag Soudai" in 1975. His first breakthrough was a song in the film "Ajnabi" (1975), under the musical direction of Nisar Bazmi. The song was "Wo aa to jaye magar intezar hi kam hai" and its popularity established him as a playback singer. Then musician Robin Ghosh gave him a career-boosting song, "Aise wo sharmaye jaise megha chaye" for movie "Do Saathi" (1975). From there on, Abbas gave voice to 129 songs in 120 films.

Apart from playback singing for movies, Abbas also sang many ghazals, semi-classical songs, and national songs for Radio Pakistan and Pakistan Television. His ghazal "Main ne roka bhi nahin aur wo thehra bhi nahin" won the award of having most broadcasts on Radio Pakistan.

Film songs Some hit songs of Ghulam Abbas are: 1975 (Film: Ajnabi): Woh Aa To Jaye Magar, Mera Intezar Hi Kam Hay, Music: Nisar Bazmi Khudi Ka Sir'r-e-Nehan La Ilaha Illallah, Poet: Allama Muhammad Iqbal Aye Pak watan Aye Pak Zameen, Poet: ? Mil ke bichar gaya, Poet: Adeen Taji

Awards and recognition

Year Award Category Result Film Ref. 1978 Nigar Award Best playback male singer Mazi Haal Mustaqbil 1981 Nigar Award Best playback male singer Qurbani 1993 Nigar Award Best playback male singer Insaniyat 2020 Pride of Performance Arts –