Reshma

Career Reshma was spotted, at the age of 12, singing at the Shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar by then Pakistani television and radio producer, Saleem Gilani. Gilani arranged for her to make a recording of "Lal Meri Pat Rakhio" on Radio Pakistan in 1968. Reshma had been appearing on television since 1968, recording songs for both the Pakistani and Indian film industries, and performing in live concerts at home and abroad.

Some of her famous songs are "Dama Dam Mast Kalandar", "Hai O' Rabba nahion lagda dil mera",

During her career she was invited to meet Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi.

In 2004, she recorded "Ashkan Di Gali Vich Mukaam De Gaya", which was used in the Bollywood film Woh Tera Naam Tha, and was also a hit record in India.

In January 2006, she was one of the passengers on the inaugural Lahore-Amritsar bus, the first such service linking both parts of the Punjab since 1947. The bus had 26 passengers in total of whom 15 were Pakistani officials, and Reshma had booked seven seats for herself and her family. Reshma planned to give many performances in India on this tour.

Her last residence was in the area of Ichhra in Lahore, Pakistan.

Health issues and death Reshma was diagnosed with throat cancer in the 1980s.

Her health deteriorated to such an extent that she was hospitalised in Lahore, Pakistan in 'Doctors Hospital' on 6 April 2013. The Punjab, Pakistan caretaker government elected to pay all her medical expenses. Tell her that she has lost weight and she promptly replies, "To kyā? Maiṅ is se slim, smart bhī to ho gaī." (So what? I have grown slim and smart because of this), but then explains, "Doctors have advised me to curtail oily and spicy food." She readily used to admit, "I have no training in classical music, I do not know even the 'r' of any raga. So when I sing and miss any technical aspect, please forgive me," is what this humble soul used to say to the audience. "For me, there is no difference between India and Pakistan, they are like my two eyes."

Awards and tributes Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) awarded by the President of Pakistan in 2008, for her services to the nation.

A journalist from Karachi, Pakistan, Murtaza Solangi who also used to work for Radio Pakistan, had arranged for Reshma's performances at different radio stations in the 1970s, said," How could I forget Reshma? In my youthful years, her voice always enriched me and she connected Rajasthan, Cholistan and Sindh. She was a flower of the desert, symbol of love, music and peace".