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.
Early life and family Naheed was born on 26 September 1956, in Multan, Punjab. She has 3 sisters and 4 brothers. One of her sisters, 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 (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 the 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 recognized the originality of her 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. She married journalist Asif Ali Pota in 1994. They 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 , is not actively pursuing a singing career.
Popular songs A list of Naheed's popular songs includes:
Film 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 Tasleem 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 Tasleem 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 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 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 +Television Programmes ListNameProduced ByYearLok Tamasha Salahuddin Chaudhary And Azam Khurshid1972Sukhanwar Akhtar Waqar Azeem 1972Sangat Rafiq Ahmed Warraich1973Yaadash BakhairAkhtar Waqar Azeem And Farrukh Bashir19741st Colour SongRafiq Ahmed Warraich1976Sur Sangeet Khawaja Najmul Hassan1978Sukhan Fahem Muneeza Hashmi1978Mauseeqar Khawaja Najmul Hassan1979Meena BazarZaheer Khan1979Andaz Apna ApnaKhawaja Najmul Hassan1979PTV AwardsIshrat Ansari1980Mehfil e MauseeqiArif Rana - Kanwal Naseer1980Eid ShowKhawaja Najmul Hassan1981An Evening With Nahid AkhtarFarrukh Bashir1981Eid ShowKhawaja Najmul Hassan And Farrukh Bashir1982Meri Pasand Khawaja Najmul Hassan1983SargamFarrukh Bashir1983PTV AwardsZaheer Khan1984Neelam Ghar Ishrat Ansari1984Rim Jhim Farrukh Bashir1984Jal Tarang Farrukh Bashir1984JhankarAyub Khawar1985Jashne Azadi ShowFarrukh Bashir1985Sur Bahaar Farrukh Bashir1986Eid Show1987PTV Silver Jubilee AwardsKhawaja Najmul Hassan1989PTV Awards 1989 To 1997Best Singer Award (Yeh Ranginiye Nau Bahaar)1997Top 10Khawaja Najmul Hassan2000
Awards and honors +Awards and honors listAward nameCategoryFilmYearRef.Nigar Film AwardsBest SingerShama1974Nigar Film AwardsBest SingerPehchan 1975Nigar Film AwardsBest SingerHumse Hai Zamana1985Alami Urdu Conference New Delhi (India) Best Ghazal Singer AwardNew Delhi (India)1988PTV AwardBest SingerSur Bahaar (Musical programme)1997Melody Queen Noor Jehan AwardMusic PBC (Radio Pakistan)2006Lux Style Awards Lifetime Achievement Award Mauritius2007Pride of Performance AwardArtsIslamabad2007PTV Lifetime Achievement AwardMusicIslamabad2010Kemal-e-Fun MedalMusicLifetime Achievement2013She still has a lot to offer (Naheed Akhtar) Pakistan Press Foundation website, Published 16 June 2013, Retrieved 20 April 2020Rs10 million cheque given to singer Naheed Akhtar Dawn (newspaper), published 14 February 2018, Retrieved 20 April 2020
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