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 Bashir Ahmed

                                                                                               By Anis Shakoor

Some people are as reliable as sunrise 

The above phrase holds true to the prominent Pakistani singer of the yesteryear, Basheer Ahmed. Relatively speaking, Basheer Ahmed started singing Urdu songs a little late. But the wait was well worth it.

Basheer Ahmed was blessed with a unique blend of melodious voice and a lasting passion for music. Excellence of his singing potential was conspicuous in 'Kuchh apni kaheye, kuchh meri suneye, ye raat ye tanhaye, yoon chup to na raheye.' Director Mustafeez's 1963 movie, 'Talaash', composer, Robin Ghosh.

Basheer Ahmed's industriousness leads to one success after another. Memories of our boyhood floods back as we listen to the familiar songs like 'Mein riksha wala bay chara.' The 1963 film 'Talaash,' composer, Robin Ghosh, pictured on actor Subhash Datta.

Every fan is able to fathom the depths of emotion as he listens to Basheer Ahmed's songs. Example, 'Jab tum akele ho gey.' The 1966 film 'Karavan,' composer, Robin Ghosh.

Basheer Ahmed sang some memorable songs, which will ever remain in the hearts of the music buffs. With his national renown at an all-time peak, he sang 'Teri tasweer bana ta hoon.' The 1966 film 'Karavan.'

Truth be told, Basheer Ahmed became the first Pakistani artist to write, compose and sing the songs for the 1967 mega hit film 'Darshan.' Cast included Shabnam and Rehman. Producer, Kum Kum, director, Rehman.

This song is touted as one of the most romantic songs ever recorded for the Pakistani cinema, 'Ye mausum ye mast nazaray, pyar karo to in say karo, kartay hain ye tum ko isharay, pyar karo to in say karo.' The film 'Darshan.'

Basheer Ahmed came to Pakistani show business with the essence of music, poetry and impeccable Urdu diction. In terms of tragic emotions, there are few parallels to the talents of Basheer Ahmed. Example, 'Din raat khayaloan mein tujhay yaad karoon ga, per naam tera lay kay mein Aawaz na doon ga.' The film 'Darshan.'

Words matter-that with words man can transcend the realities of his own time. This song sounds like a swirling, other worldly praise, 'Gulshan mein baharoan mein tu hai, in shoakh nazaroan mein tu hai, phooloan mein, chand mein, taaroan mein, jidhar deikh ta hoon mein, udhar tu he tu hai.' The film 'Darshan.'

Though Basheer Ahmed confined to light music and popular singing, he sang with complete understanding. His delivery of lyrics was remarkably fluent. Imagine how effortlessly he utters high and low notes in this romantic score, 'Tum jo milay pyar mila, dil ko qarar Aa ga ya, ik ajnabi meray liye bun kay sanwara gaya.' Duet, Basheer Ahmed-Noor Jehan, the film 'Darshan.'

Basheer Ahmed's unparalleled singing style and extraordinary lyricism appealed to the masses. Here is a song whose lyrics read like a wail of pain , has many reasons to cry, 'Hum chalay chore kar teri mehfil sanam, dil kaheen na kaheen to behel ja ye ga, jab meray dil mein hai pyar ki Aarzu, mujh ko koi na koi to apna ye ga.' The film 'Darshan.'

Talking of Basheer Ahmed's singing prowess, the words were torn straight from his soul. That said, it is the culmination of every thing, coming from him. Here is a romantic number based on a dexterous performance by Basheer Ahmed, 'Tumharay liye is dil mein jitni mohabbat hai, itni mohabbat koan karay ga, kahan paao gey, kis dil mein ho gee.' The film 'Darshan.'

The vibrancy of Basheer Ahmed's profound presentation is highly commendable. Essentially, his singing voice is a resplendent amalgamation of tenderness and joy, torment and anguish. Example, 'Chal diye tum jo dil toar kar, yoon akela hamay chore kar, hamaysha tumhain meri kami mehsoos ho.' The film 'Darshan.'

For his innumerable admirers, Basheer Ahmed's voice was always charged with deep emotion and rightly so. The listeners were inspired by the sheer magnitude of it all. The strains of tragedy are quite evident in this song, 'Mera dil na janay kab say tera pyar dhoond ta hai, jo khizaan mein kho chuki hai wo bahaar dhoond ta hai.' Director Iqbal Yusuf's 1972 film, 'Hill station.'

After a long, eventful musical journey, Basheer Ahmed called it a day. He now lives in his native country, Bangladesh. 

In his priceless, precious songs, Basheer Ahmed bestowed his nation a gift rare for any man.