Legends of Pakistan – Artists Who Will Forever Live in Our Hearts

Some names never deserve to be forgotten. They always remain in the heart of their beloved ones. Such are these legends of Pakistan who will never die and always stay alive in our hearts .Their contributions in their respective fields have given them a lot of fame and respect. Here are some famous legends of Pakistan listed below.

Ustaad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (1948-1997)

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was a Pakistani singer. He was primarily a singer of Qawwali. He possessed unlimited vocal abilities and could perform easily for several hours with great intensity. He had also made his name in the Europian industry and created a large number of super albums. He had also engaged with the Western artists and become a well-knnown world music artist. Here are some of the Qawwalis and songs by the legendary singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan :

• Saaya bhi sath jab chor jae, esi hai tanhai
• Yeh jo halka halka surroor hai
• Tumhen dillagi bhool jani pare gi
• Meri toba
• Afreen Afreen
• Kisi da yaar na vichre

Noor Jehan (1926-2000)

Noor Jehan was a Pakistani singer and an actress who worked first in British India and then in Pakistan. She with her countless efforts and abilities got unique success, fame and fortune throughout her life. She had a God gifted voice which won the hearts of many people. She recorded over 18000 songs in languages of India & Pakistan. She was awarded the Pakistan’s President’s Award by Ayub Khan in 1965 for her acting & singing capabilities. She also received one of the Pakistani highest civilian awards “Tamgha-e-Imtiaz” and “Sitara-e-Imtiaz”.  Some of her famous songs still listened from the young to old:

• Chandni Raatein
• Aashiyane ki baat
• Mehndi ni mehndi
• Dil ka diya jalaya
• Sanu nehar wale

Waheed Murad (1938-1983)

The chocolate hero of Pakistan also known as “Lady Killer” ,Waheed Murad was a  film actor, producer and a script writer. He was famous for his attractive personality and charming looks. He started his film career as a cameo in 1959 in film “Saathi”. He with his romantic & flirtatious manner revolutionized a new style of acting in the film industry. His awesome roles in “”Armaan” & “Heera aur Pathar”  dominated the box-office in their day.

He was also awarded “Sitara-e-Imtiaz” by the President,  Asif Ali Zardari  in 2010.

Here are the list of some of his famous movies:

• Naseeb apna apna
• Dil mera dhadkan teri
• Ehsaan
• Armaan
• Jab jab phool khile
• Kaneez

Mehdi Hassan (1927-2012)

Mehdi Hassan was a famous Ghazal singer and a playback singer of Lollywood. He is famously known as “King of Ghazal”. He earned numerous awards and got applauses in his career and remained a leading singer of film industry. She received a compliment from  India’s Queen of music “Latta Mangeshkar”. She said : “God sings through his voice”.

Some of his famous Ghazals are :

• Ranjish hi sahi
• Rafta rafta woh mere
• Yeh dhuaan kahan se uthta hai
• Ab ke hum bichre toh
• Dil-e-nadaan tujhe hua kia hai

Moen Akhtar (1950-2011)

Moeen Akhtar was a Pakistani television film actor, stage actor, humorist , comedian, singer, director and also a producer. He became a worldwide famous actor due to his mind-blowing acting.  His amazing ability to bring happiness on the sad faces was his top trait. His name is synonymous to comedy action in Pakistan. He has given countless national awards and he will never be forgotten.

His famous drama serials are:

• Show sha
• Yes sir no sir
• Apka anwer maqsood
• Moin akhter show

     His famous songs are:

• Dil ro raha hai
• Chod je jaane wale
• Dard hi sirf dil ko mila
• Hotein hai bewafa

Abdul Ghafoor Majna (1938-2012)

Abdul Ghafoor known as, ‘Pakistani Pele’, “The Black Pearl of Pakistan”  was a Pakistani Professional footballer. He was also a former captain of Pakistan national football team.  He remained the captain of Pakistan for 11 years due to his utmost strategies. He founded ‘Saifi Football Club’ and it has more than 70 players. He was the last man alive from the days , when the Pakistan football team was strong enough to beat USSR, UAE and China.

Muhammad Ali (1938-2006)

Also known as ‘Emperor of emotions’ was a Pakistani actor. Due to his versatile acting, he was much applauded by the audience. He performed various roles of historical, biographical and patriotic nature. According to CNN survey, he is among the 25 greatest actors of Asia. His famous roles helped him to win Nigar Award 10 times. He will never be forgotten from the cinematic industry of Lollywood.

His famous movies are:

• Kaneez
• Clerk
• Tiger gang
• Awwaz
• Neela Parbat

Reshma (1947-2013)

Reshma was a renowned Pakistani folk singer also very famous in neighbouring country, India.  She was awarded ‘Sitara-e-Imtiaz’ for her excellence in her field. She started from bottom and reached the top of her success. She sung ‘’Laal meri pat rakhio” at the Shrine of ‘Laal Shahbaz Qalandar’ when she was 12 years old. The remarkable personality died on 3^rd November due to throat cancer.

Some of her famous outstandings folk tunes are:

• Dama dam mast Qalandar
• Sun charkha di mithi mithi kook
• Ankhiyan nu rehn de
• Lambi judai

Ahmed Rushdi (1934-1983)

Ahmed Rushdi was a versatile Pakistani playback singer. He is acclaimed as one of the greatest singers of South Asia. He is best known for his melodious voice and deep expressions. He was awarded ‘Nigar Award’ 5 times, ‘Best singer of Millenium’,title, a ‘Life Time Achievement Award’, the ‘Legend’ award and ‘Sitara-e-Imtiaz’- by Pervaiz Musharaf.

His famous songs are:

• Ko ko korina
• Zindagi apni thi ab tak
• Socha tha payaar na kren gy
• Mujhe talash thi jis ki
• Raat chali hai jhoom ke
• Kuch log rooth kar bhi

Faiz Ahmed Faiz (1911-1984)

Faiz Ahmed Faiz was one of the renowned poet and of the most celebrated writers of Urdu language. He has been nominated 4 times for the ‘Nobel Prize’  for literature. He also wrote poetry in Punjabi language. His poetry has been liked till now. He has beem honoured by Sheheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto for his work. His poetry was not easy to understand but once understood, the reader would’nt want to divert his attention.

His major literary works are :

• Naqsh-e-Faryadi
• Dast-e-Saba
• Zindan Nama
• Mere Dil Mere Musafir
• Sar-e-Wadi-Sina