BAHAWALPUR: Haseena Khanum, the veteran radio and TV singer of Seraiki, died here after a protracted illness on Thursday. She was about 65.

She left behind ailing husband Ramzan Shakir, a musician, and a son while she had also daughters from her first husband.

Haseena Khanum, belonging to Dera Nawab Sahib (Ahmedpur East), began singing at a young age. She recorded songs for Radio Pakistan, Multan, but after the launch of a radio station at Bahawalpur, she joined it and remained attached with it till her illness about five years ago.

Khanum alone as well as with her friend Mumtaz Khanum sang for years Seraiki songs, Kafis of Khwaja Ghulam Farid, folk songs and local poets for radio.

Their pair was known as “Haseena Mumtaz” and was greatly admired by audience in the functions and important occasions organised in the city.

They had sung famous songs which were later sung by other singers, including “Kadan Walso Sohna Sawanla”, “Akhyan Da Sanwal’ and “Eh Kajlay Wali Akh”.

They both preferred to grace functions together and people liked it more. Before Haseena Khanum fell ill, both friends had separated over some issue and both had requested the administration of the Radio Pakistan to give them separate programmes and recording time in the studios. Mumtaz Khanum died a few years back.

Radio Pakistan, Bahawalpur, Station Director Javed Iqbal told Dawn that Haseena Khanum was among the pioneer artists of the Radio Pakistan and had also been awarded for her singing in Seraiki language. Due to the attack of paralysis, she had left singing as she was bed-ridden.

Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) Director General Samina

Parvez Khalid paid tribute to Haseena Khanum for the services she rendered for Radio Pakistan.

Funeral prayers for Haseena Mumtaz were attended by a large number of people including, staff and artists of Radio Pakistan, Bahawalpur. She was laid to rest at Dera Nawab Sahib.

Published in Dawn, November 21th, 2014