Legendary Pakistani singer Ahmed Rushdi is being remembered on his 85th birth anniversary today.

Rushdi was born in Hyderabad Deccan, India, back in 1934. He moved to Karachi after Partition and began his career with Radio Pakistan. The star rose to fame with song Bandar Road Se Kemari.

Rushdi started his career from Radio Pakistan. He sang his first ever film song for an Indian film ‘Ibrat’ in 1951.

Better known as the “voice of Wahid Murad”, Rushdi sang over 900 songs in his illustrious 20-year career.

His melodious and bubbly voice earned him the status of “chocolate hero”.

He could sing fast numbers as easily as he could render sad songs. ‘Dil Tumko De Dia Hai’ and ‘Ae Abr-e-Karam’ from Naseeb Apna Apna are prime examples of his work.

He made Habib Jalib’s ‘Pyar Me Hum Ne Khaayi Hai Thokar’ as famous as ‘Main Nahi Manta’. Be it Suroor Barabankvi’s ‘Nadiya Behti Jaaye’ or Himayat Ali Shair’s ‘Pyar Me Hum Ae Jaan-e-Tamanna’, Rushdi could do wonders with all poets, lyricists and musicians.

He was honored with life time achievement award, best singer of the Millennium Award, Nigar Award, the Legend Award, and others.

In addition to this, the former President Pervez Musharraf granted him Sitara-e-Imtiaz 20 years after his demise.

On the eve of 11th April 1983, Rushdi died of a heart attack. Twenty years later, the government of Pakistan conferred the Sitara-i-Imtiaz upon him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOavNaBX4NU