LAHORE: Renowned singer Dr Amjad Pervaiz passed away here on Sunday. He was 79.

He was suffering from the kidney ailment for quite some time and was getting treatment at a private hospital.

Amjad was an engineer by profession and held PhD. He was born in 1945 on the Fleming Road, Lahore. His father was a professor of chemistry at the Islamia College where his maternal grandfather had also served as principal before the Partition of India.

His primary education was completed at Kinnaird Girls School along with his elder sisters. He did his matriculation from the Central Model School in 1960, intermediate from the Govt College Lahore and completed graduation in mechanical engineering from the UET in 1967. He did PhD from the University of Birmingham.

Amjad had started singing from Radio Pakistan, Lahore station, as a child artiste in 1954. Later, he got training in singing from Ustad Salamat Ali and others.

He remained at different positions, including the managing director of Nespak but continued his singing along with his profession. After his retirement from Nespak, he taught at the UET.

Amjad Pervaiz had joined a pop band in the 1970s which was known as The AayJays that used to perform at the PTV. His famous songs included Tera Lutya Shehr Bhambhor and Jo Bhi Kutch Hai Mohabbat Ka Phailao Hai.

He was the author of eight books on music including Melody Makers of Subcontinent, Symphony of Reflections and Rainbow of Reflections, the latter two were collection of his columns written in newspapers including The Nation and Daily Times. He was a recipient of the Pride of Performance award too that he received in 2000.

The funeral prayers for Amjad Pervaiz will be held today after Zuhr prayers in Shadman Main Boulevard Mosque, near his residence at 25-A Shadman Colony.

Published in Dawn, March 4th, 2024