Saleem Raza was born Noel Dias on July 7, 1932, in Amritsar, India. After partition he migrated to Pakistan and settled in Lahore. He changed his name to Saleem Raza and made a name for himself as a budding artist at Lahore Radio Station.
At Lahore Radio Station Saleem Raza made friends with popular artist of the time, Mohni Hameed. Both Saleem Raza and Mohni Hameed were often seen together for long periods of time.
Additionally, Saleem Raza learned music from the famous music composers of those days like M. Sadiq Ali, and Ustaad Aashiq Husain.
Saleem Raza’s lucky break came in director Syed Ata ullah Hashmi’s 1955 film ‘Naukar.’ Saleem Raza lent his voice to the tragic score, ‘Taqdeer kay Malik deikh zara kya zulm hai.’ Duet, Saleem Raza – Kausar Perveen. Thus, Saleem Raza debuted as a singer in 1955 in the film ‘Naukar.’
A music career beckoned and Saleem Raza rendered memorable songs in numerous hit movies.
Saleem Raza’s genius for recording sad songs and an abiding fervor to work with distinguished luminaries helped him paint vivid portraits of Pakistani people in the harsh years after independence.