Reshma Remembered: Lambi Judaai and a Voice Beyond Borders

New Delhi, November 2: Music has never recognized national boundaries, and certain voices become shared treasures across them. Pakistani folk singer Reshma was one such voice. Her singing carried the scent of the earth, a current of sorrow, and a unique emotional pull that listeners in both countries felt deeply.

She lived most of her life in Pakistan, yet she found equal love in India. Her song 'Lambi Judaai' from the 1983 film 'Hero' remains her most recognizable work. Decades later, it continues to bring a lump to the throat of anyone who hears it.

Reshma was born on January 1, 1947, in Loha village near Bikaner in Rajasthan, in a Banjara household. When the Partition of India took place, her family relocated to Pakistan. She was just one month old at the time. They later settled permanently in Karachi.

As a young girl, she began singing Sufi songs at shrines, and passersby would often pause to listen. She never had any formal music training, yet her natural talent was undeniable.

At the age of 12, Pakistani radio and television producer Salim Gilani noticed her gift and offered her a chance to share her voice with the world. In 1968, she sang 'Laal Meri Pat Rakhiyo' for Radio Pakistan. The song made her famous and established her reputation as a Sufi vocalist. Her music was also appreciated in India.

The defining moment of her career came in 1983 with Subhash Ghai's film 'Hero'. Ghai had heard her singing at a party hosted by Raj Kapoor in 1982, and he was so taken with her voice that he invited her to sing in his next film.

Reshma was not eager to record in a studio because she felt more comfortable in open surroundings. Ghai assured her that her preferences and ease would be carefully respected, and she eventually agreed.

The recording session became a notable story. Reshma asked composers Laxmikant-Pyarelal to use only a few instruments. She got a matka, sat on the ground, and began singing to its rhythm.

The lyrics were 'Hijr ki unchi deewar banai', yet she kept singing 'giraai' instead. Pyarelal repeatedly tried to set her straight, but she continued with the same word. He left the studio in annoyance. Laxmikant empathized with her emotions and decided to record the song in her own style. Reshma openly said that her lack of schooling led to her mistakes with words.

Despite her fame, her last years were not easy. She was suffering from throat cancer, and her family was dealing with financial difficulties. On November 3, 2013, she passed away, leaving behind a voice that still connects the hearts of two nations.