Naheed Akhtar (also spelled Nahid Akhtar) 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 70s and 80s. She won 3 Nigar Awards and a Pride of Performance in 2007.[1]
Naheed Akhtar | |
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ناہید اختر | |
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Born | September 26, 1956 Multan, Punjab, Pakistan |
Nationality | Pakistani |
Occupation | Singer |
Years active | (1970-1992) |
Awards | 3 Nigar Film Awards for Best Singer |
Honours | Pride of Performance (2007) |
Musical career | |
Genres | Playback singing, Ghazal |
Instrument(s) | |
Labels |
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Musical artist |
Akhtar was born on September 26, 1956 in Multan, Punjab. She has 3 sisters and 4 brothers. A sister of her, Hameeda Akhtar, was also a singer.[2][3]
Nahid'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 & Others. She was first discovered for films by veteran music director M. Ashraf in the mid-1970s 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.[5]
Nahid left singing in 1986. Later, she married to a journalist Asif Ali Pota in 1994. Both had a daughter and a son together. Pota died of cardiac arrest in 2017.[1]
Naheed Akhtar made an appearance on stage in 2013, after repeated requests of the management of a TV show,[6] where active and popular singers like Shabnam Majeed and Saima Jahan sang her songs to pay tribute to her.[7] She stays busy with her family and children, and as of 2016[update], is not actively pursuing a singing career.
A list of Nahid's popular songs includes:[1][5]
Film Name | Year | Music |
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Nanha Farishta- (Urdu Colour)[4] | 1974 | M. Ashraf |
Phool Mere Gulshan Ka - (Urdu Colour) | 1974 | M. Ashraf |
Shikaar - (Urdu Colour) | 1974 | A. Hamid |
Deedar - (Urdu Colour) | 1974 | Nashad |
Haqeeqat - (Urdu Colour) | 1974 | A. Hamid |
Shama - (Urdu Colour)[4] | 1974 | M. Ashraf |
Zanjeer - (Urdu Colour) | 1975 | M. Ashraf |
Naik Parveen - (Urdu Colour) | 1975 | A. Hamid |
Roshni - (Urdu Colour) | 1975 | Kamal Ahmed |
Shararat - (Urdu Colour) | 1975 | Nisar Bazmi |
Dilruba - (Urdu Colour) | 1975 | M. Ashraf |
Muashraa - (Urdu Colour) | 1975 | A. Hamid |
Zeenat - (Urdu Colour) | 1975 | Nashad |
Ustad - (Urdu Colour) | 1975 | Master Rafiq Ali |
Izzat - (Urdu Colour) | 1975 | A. Hamid |
Anari - (Urdu Colour) | 1975 | M. Ashraf |
Jab Jab Phool Khile (Pakistani film) - (Urdu Colour) | 1975 | M. Ashraf |
Bemisaal - (Urdu Colour) | 1975 | M. Ashraf |
Aarzoo - (Urdu Colour) | 1975 | M. Ashraf |
Tere Mere Sapne[8] - (Urdu Colour) | 1975 | Kamal Ahmad |
Shikwa - (Urdu Colour) | 1975 | Nashad |
Dilnasheen - (Urdu Colour) | 1975 | M. Ashraf |
Aik Gunah Aur Sahi - (Urdu Colour) | 1975 | Nisar Bazmi |
Paalki - (Urdu Colour) | 1975 | Nashad |
Soorat Aur Seerat - (Urdu Colour) | 1975 | M. Ashraf |
Masoom - (Urdu Colour) | 1975 | Khalil Ahmad |
Dulhan Aik Raat Ki - (Urdu Colour) | 1975 | Kamal Ahmad |
Pehchaan - (Urdu Colour) | 1975 | Nisar Bazmi |
Naukar - (Urdu Colour) | 1975 | M. Ashraf |
Pyar Ka Mausam - (Urdu Colour) | 1975 | Tasadduq Hussain |
Mohabbat Zindagi Hai - (Urdu Colour) | 1975 | M. Ashraf |
Phool Aur Sholay - (Urdu Colour) | 1976 | M. Ashraf |
Goonj Uthee Shehnaai - (Urdu Colour) | 1976 | M. Ashraf |
Mohabbat Aur Mehnghai - (Urdu Colour) | 1976 | Kamal Ahmad |
Do Aansoo - (Urdu Colour) | 1976 | Nazir Ali |
Dekhaa Jayegaa - (Urdu Colour) | 1976 | M. Ashraf |
Mehboob Mera Mastana - (Urdu Colour) | 1976 | Nashad |
Daaman Ki Aag - (Urdu Colour) | 1976 | M.A. Shaad |
Aurat Aik Paheli - (Urdu Colour) | 1976 | Nazir Ali |
Zubaidaa - (Urdu Colour) | 1976 | Master Rafiq Ali |
Raja Jani - (Urdu Colour) | 1976 | Amjad Bobby |
Koshish - (Urdu Colour) | 1976 | M. Ashraf |
Deewar - (Urdu Colour) | 1976 | M. Ashraf |
Naag Aur Nagin - (Urdu Colour) | 1976 | Nisar Bazmi |
Society Girl - (Urdu Colour) | 1976 | Nazir Ali |
Waqt - (Urdu Colour) | 1976 | Nashad |
Waada - (Urdu Colour) | 1976 | Kamal Ahmad |
Saiyyan Anari - (Urdu Colour) | 1976 | Master Rafiq Ali |
Kharidaar - (Urdu Colour) | 1976 | M. Ashraf |
Nasheman - (Urdu Colour) | 1976 | M. Ashraf |
Andaata - (Urdu Colour) | 1976 | Kamal Ahmad |
Mohabbat Aur Dosti - (Urdu Colour) | 1976 | Kamal Ahmad |
Talash - (Urdu Colour) | 1976 | Nisar Bazmi |
Sachaai - (Urdu Colour) | 1976 | Nisar Bazmi |
Shabana - (Urdu Colour) | 1976 | M. Ashraf |
Insaan Aur Farishtaa - (Urdu Colour) | 1976 | M. Ashraf |
Suraiyya Bhopali - (Urdu Colour) | 1976 | A. Hamid |
Kaaloo - (Urdu Colour) | 1977 | A. Hamid |
Pyar Ka Wada- (Urdu Colour) | 1977 | Khalil Ahmad |
Jeene Ki Raah- (Urdu Colour) | 1977 | Ustad Tafu |
Shama-e-Mohabbat- (Urdu Colour) | 1977 | M. Ashraf |
Aashi - (Urdu Colour) | 1977 | Nazir Ali |
Jasoos - (Urdu Colour) | 1977 | Ustad Tafu |
Uff Yeh Beewiyan - (Urdu Colour) | 1977 | M. Ashraf |
Beti - (Urdu Colour) | 1977 | M. Ashraf |
Mohabbat Aik Kahaani - (Urdu Colour) | 1977 | M. Ashraf |
Begum Jaan - (Urdu Colour) | 1977 | A. Hamid |
Awaara - (Urdu Colour) | 1977 | Master Inayat Hussain |
Ishq Ishq - (Urdu Colour) | 1977 | Kamal Ahmad |
Dard - (Urdu Colour) | 1977 | M. Ashraf |
Bharosa - (Urdu Colour) | 1977 | A. Hamid |
Pehli Nazar - (Urdu Colour) | 1977 | Master Inayat Hussain |
Roti Kapra Aur Insaan - (Urdu Colour) | 1977 | Bakshi Wazir |
Susraal - (Urdu Colour) | 1977 | M. Ashraf |
Apne Huye Paraye - (Urdu Colour) | 1977 | M. Ashraf |
Shola - (Urdu Colour) | 1977 | Chandar Mohan Beliram |
Khuda Aur Mohabbat - (Urdu Colour) | 1978 | Ustad Tafu |
Playboy - (Urdu Colour) | 1978 | M. Ashraf |
Takrao - (Urdu Colour) | 1978 | Tafoo |
Bodyguard - (Urdu Colour) | 1978 | Master Inayat Hussain |
Prince - (Urdu Colour) | 1978 | Kamal Ahmad |
Abhi To Main Jawan Hoon - (Urdu Colour) | 1978 | M. Ashraf |
Aag Aur Zindagi - (Urdu Colour) | 1978 | M. Ashraf |
Jaan Ki Baazi - (Urdu Colour) | 1978 | Nisar Bazmi |
Abshaar - (Urdu Colour) | 1978 | M. Ashraf |
Mera Naam Raja - (Urdu Colour) | 1978 | Bakshi Wazir |
Dushman Ki Talash - (Urdu Colour) | 1978 | Ustad Tafu |
Milan - (Urdu Colour) | 1978 | Nashad |
Saheli - (Urdu Colour) | 1978 | M. Ashraf |
Kora Kaghaz - (Urdu Colour) | 1978 | Nazir Ali |
Parakh - (Urdu Colour) | 1978 | Kamal Ahmad |
Baraat - (Urdu Colour) | 1978 | M. Ashraf |
Mutthi Bhar Chawal - (Urdu Colour) | 1978 | Kamal Ahmad |
Awaz - (Urdu Colour) | 1978 | A. Hamid |
Sharmeeli - (Urdu Colour) | 1978 | Karim Shahabuddin |
Mehmaan - (Urdu Colour) | 1978 | M. Ashraf |
Intekhaab - (Urdu Colour) | 1978 | Nisar Bazmi |
Sheeshe Ka Ghar - (Urdu Colour) | 1978 | Master Abdullah |
Nazrana - (Urdu Colour) | 1978 | M. Ashraf |
Aadmi - (Urdu Colour) | 1978 | Kamal Ahmad |
Josh - (Urdu Colour) | 1979 | Master Inayat Hussain |
Do Raaste - (Urdu Colour) | 1979 | M. Ashraf |
Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat - (Urdu Colour) | 1979 | M. Ashraf |
Mr Ranjha - (Urdu Colour) | 1979 | Rajab Ali |
Chori Chori - (Urdu Colour) | 1979 | Nashad |
Kangan Aur Hathkadi - (Urdu Colour) 1979 - Music: Amjad Bobby | 1979 | Amjad Bobby |
Chalte Chalte - (Urdu Colour) 1979 - Music: M. Ashraf | 1979 | M. Ashraf |
Nai Tehzeeb - (Urdu Colour) | 1979 | M. Ashraf |
Tarana - (Urdu Colour) | 1979 | M. Ashraf |
Nishaani - (Urdu Colour) | 1979 | |
Naya Andaaz - (Urdu Colour) | 1979 | A. Hamid |
Miss Hong Kong - (Urdu Colour) | 1979 | M. Ashraf |
Aag - (Urdu Colour) | 1979 | M. Ashraf |
Nawabzadi - (Urdu Colour) | 1979 | Wajahat Attre |
Pakeeza - (Urdu Colour) | 1979 | M. Ashraf |
Khushboo - (Urdu Colour) | 1979 | M. Ashraf |
Behan Bhai - (Urdu Colour) | 1979 | Kamal Ahmad |
Mehndi Lagi Mere Haath - (Urdu Colour) | 1980 | Kamal Ahmad |
Chote Nawab - (Urdu Colour) | 1980 | Nazeer Ali |
Aap Ki Khatir - (Urdu Colour) | 1980 | Nazeer Ali |
Bandhan - (Urdu Colour) | 1980 | M. Ashraf |
Pyari - (Urdu Colour) | 1980 | M. Ashraf |
Mahal Mere Sapnon Ka - (Urdu Colour) | 1980 | M. Ashraf |
Hum Dono - (Urdu Colour) | 1980 | M. Ashraf |
Badalte Mausam - (Urdu Colour) | 1980 | M. Ashraf |
Rishtaa - (Urdu Colour) | 1980 | Nisar Bazmi |
Haseena Maan Jaayegi - (Urdu Colour) | 1980 | Tasadduq Hussain |
Yeh Zamana Aur Hai - (Urdu Colour) | 1981 | M. Ashraf |
Bada Aadmi - (Urdu Colour) | 1981 | Nazeer Ali |
Khote Sikkay - (Urdu Colour) | 1981 | M. Ashraf |
Lajawab - (Urdu Colour) | 1981 | M. Ashraf |
Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kya - (Urdu Colour) | 1981 | Kamal Ahmad |
Watan - (Urdu Colour) | 1981 | A. Hamid |
Qurbani - (Urdu Colour) | 1981 | M. Ashraf |
Sangdil - (Urdu Colour) | 1982 | A. Hamid |
I Love You - (Urdu Colour) | 1982 | M. Ashraf |
Mian Biwi Razi - (Urdu Colour) | 1982 | Kamal Ahmad |
Aas Paas - (Urdu Colour) | 1982 | Nisar Bazmi |
Kainat - (Urdu Colour) | 1983 | Kamal Ahmad |
Nadaani - (Urdu Colour) | 1983 | M. Ashraf |
Aik Dujhe Ke Liye - (Urdu Colour) | 1983 | M. Ashraf |
Bigree Naslain - (Urdu Colour) | 1983 | Kamal Ahmad |
Dehleez - (Urdu Colour) | 1983 | Kamal Ahmad |
Kamyabi - (Urdu Colour) | 1984 | M. Ashraf |
Muqaddar Ka Sikandar - (Urdu Colour) | 1984 | Wajid Ali Nashad |
Lazawal - (Urdu Colour) | 1984 | Amjad Bobby |
Miss Colombo - (Urdu Colour) | 1984 | M. Ashraf |
Naraaz - (Urdu Colour) | 1985 | M. Ashraf |
Khoon Aur Paani - (Urdu Colour) | 1985 | Wajahat Attre |
Direct Hawaldar - (Urdu Colour) | 1985 | M. Ashraf |
Miss Singapore - (Urdu Colour) | 1985 | M. Ashraf |
Parwana - (Urdu Colour) | 1985 | Wajid Ali Nashad |
Hulchul - (Urdu Colour) | 1985 | M. Ashraf |
Zameen Aasman - (Urdu Colour) | 1985 | Wajahat Attre |
Palkhon Ki Chaon Main - (Urdu Colour) | 1985 | Khalil Ahmad |
Hong Kong Ke Sholay - (Urdu Colour) | 1985 | M. Ashraf |
Humse Hai Zamana - (Urdu Colour) | 1985 | M. Ashraf |
Faisla - (Urdu Colour) | 1986 | M. Ashraf |
Dhanak - (Urdu Colour) | 1986 | Kamal Ahmad |
Zanjeer - (Urdu Colour) | 1986 | M. Ashraf |
Love In London - (Urdu Colour) | 1987 | A. Hamid |
Son Of Andaata - (Urdu Colour) | 1987 | Kamal Ahmad |
Deewar - (Urdu Colour) | 1987 | Kamal Ahmad |
Garebaan - (Urdu Colour) | 1987 | Ustad Tafu |
Nijaat - (Urdu Colour) | 1987 | Kamal Ahmad |
Mohabbat Ho To Aisi Ho - (Urdu Colour) | 1989 | Nisar Bazmi |
Aandhi - - (Urdu Colour) | 1991 | Kamal Ahmad |
Award name | Category | Film | Year |
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Nigar Film Awards | Best Singer | Shama | 1974 |
Nigar Film Awards | Best Singer | Pehchaan | 1975 |
Nigar Film Awards | Best Singer | Humse Hai Zamana | 1985 |
Alami Urdu Conference New Delhi (India) | Best Ghazal Singer Award | ||
Pakistan Television | Best Singer | Musical Programme (Sur Bahaar) | 1997 |
PBC National Excellence Awards[9] | Melody Queen Noor Jehan Award | 2006 | |
Lux Style Awards | Lifetime Achievement Award | 2007 | |
The Government Of Pakistan[10] | Pride Of Performance | 2007 | |
Pakistan Television Corporation | Lifetime Achievement Award | 2010 | |
Alhamra Art Council Lahore[4][11] | Kamal-e-Fun (Lifetime Achievement) Award[12] | 2013 |
Name | Produced By | Year |
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Lok Tamasha (PTV)[4] | Uxi Mufti and Tufail Niazi[4] | 1972 |
Sukhanwar (PTV) | Akhtar Waqar Azeem (Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV)[4] | 1972 |
Sangat (PTV) | Rafique Ahmed Warraich | 1973 |
Sur Sangeet (PTV) | Khawaja Najam ul Hasan | 1978 |
Sukhan Fahem (PTV) | 1978 | |
Mauseeqar (PTV) | Khawaja Najam ul Hasan | 1979 |
Meena Bazar | 1979 | |
PTV Awards | 1980 | |
Meri Pasand (PTV) | Khawaja Najam ul Hasan | 1982 |
PTV Awards | 1983 | |
Neelam Ghar (PTV) | 1983 | |
Rim Jhim (PTV) | Farrukh Bashir | 1984 |
Jal Tarang (PTV) | Farrukh Bashir | 1985 |
Sur Bahaar (PTV) | Farrukh Bashir | 1986 |
Recipients of the Pride of Performance for Arts | |
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1960s |
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1970s |
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1980s |
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1990s |
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2000s |
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2010s |
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2020s |
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Nigar Award for Best Female Playback Singer | |
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Authority control ![]() |
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