Ghulam Abbas (singer)

Ghulam Abbas غلام عباس
Classical Singer Ghulam Abbas
Born	(1955-01-01) 1 January 1955 (age 70) Jhang, Punjab, Pakistan
Occupation	Singer
Years active	1975 – present
Known for	Film playback / Classical music singing
Awards	Pride of Performance (2020) Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (2011) 4 'Best Singer' Nigar Awards

Ghulam Abbas (born 1 January 1955) is a Pakistani radio, television, and film singer. He is known for his ghazals, geets, and playback singing for Urdu and Punjabi movies. Besides winning 4 Nigar Awards as a playback singer, he was also honored with the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Medal of Excellence) in 2011 and the Pride of Performance Award in 2020 by the President of Pakistan.[1]

Early life and education

Ghulam Abbas was born on 1 January 1955, in Jhang, Punjab, Pakistan. He got his school education in Multan. His higher education includes master's degrees in Philosophy and Urdu literature.[2][3]

Singing career

Playback singer Mehdi Hassan noticed this young boy and introduced him to his mentor Ismail Khan. Abbas got an advanced classical training in singing from him.[2][4]

Ghulam Abbas started his playback singing career with a Punjabi film "Aashiq Loag Soudai" in 1975. His first breakthrough was a song in the film "Ajnabi" (1975), under the musical direction of Nisar Bazmi. The song was "Wo aa to jaye magar intezar hi kam hai" and its popularity established him as a playback singer. Then musician Robin Ghosh gave him a career-boosting song, "Aise wo sharmaye jaise megha chaye" for movie "Do Saathi" (1975). From there on, Abbas gave voice to 129 songs in 120 films.[2][5]

Apart from playback singing for movies, Abbas also sang many ghazals, semi-classical songs, and national songs for Radio Pakistan and Pakistan Television. His ghazal "Main ne roka bhi nahin aur wo thehra bhi nahin" won the award of having most broadcasts on Radio Pakistan.[6]

Film songs

Some hit songs of Ghulam Abbas are:

• 1975 (Film: Ajnabi): Woh Aa To Jaye Magar, Mera Intezar Hi Kam Hay, Music: Nisar Bazmi[6]
• 1975 (Film: Do Sathi): Aisay Woh Sharmaye, Jaisay Megha Chhaye, Music: Robin Ghosh[6]
• 1976 (Film: Deevar): Deewana Kahin Tum Ko Na, Deevana Bana Day, Music: M. Ashraf
• 1977 (Film: Aashi): Jan-e-Tamanna, Kab Tak Tum Na, Pyar Mera Pehchano Gay, Music: Nazir Ali
• 1978 (Film: Mehman): Dekh Kar Tujh Ko، Main Gham Dil Kay Bhula Deta Hun, Music: M. Ashraf
• 1978 (Film: Mazi, Haal, Mustaqbil): Zindagi Tu Nay Har Qadm Peh Mujhay, Ek Sapna Neya Dikhaya Hay, Music: A. Hameed[2]
• 1978 (Film: Awaz): Hari Bhari Abadian, Geet Gati Wadian, Music: A. Hameed
• 1978 (Film: Intekhab): Ham Na Tarsen Kabhi Phir Khushi Kay Liye, Music: Nisar Bazmi
• 1979 (Film: Pakeeza): Mil Jata Hay Yaar Magar Pyar Nahin Milta, Music: M. Ashraf
• 1984 (Film: Bobby): Ik Bar Milo Ham Say To So Bar Milayn Gay, Music: Amjad Bobby[2]
• 2003 (Film: Shararat): Tu Hay Chand Raat, Music: Wajahat Attre

Classical songs / Ghazals

• Main ne roka bhi nahin aur wo thhehra bhi nahin, Poet: Aslam Ansari[6][7]
• Khudi Ka Sir'r-e-Nehan La Ilaha Illallah, Poet: Allama Muhammad Iqbal
• Aye Pak watan Aye Pak Zameen, Poet: ?
• Mil ke bichar gaya, Poet: Adeen Taji

Awards and recognition

Year	Award	Category	Result	Film	Ref.
1978	Nigar Award	Best playback male singer	Won	Mazi Haal Mustaqbil	[2][8]
1981	Nigar Award	Best playback male singer	Won	Qurbani	[8][9]
1993	Nigar Award	Best playback male singer	Won	Insaniyat	[8][9]
1994	Nigar Award	Best playback male singer	Won	Rani Beti Raaj Karay Gee	[9][8]
2011	Tamgha-i-Imtiaz	Arts	Won	–	[2][10]
2020	Pride of Performance	Arts	Won	–	[11]

References

1. Suhayb, Muhammad (12 January 2025). "SPOTLIGHT: THE GOLDEN VOICE OF FILMS". DAWN.COM.
2. Amjad Parvez (10 February 2018). "Of versatility and passion in music". Daily Times (newspaper). Retrieved 16 December 2021.
3. Humdam, Younas (27 May 2022). "گلوکارغلام عباس". Express News.
4. "Renowned Pakistani Singer Ghulam Abbas Performing at Silverwater Sydney". Sada e Watan (Sydney) newspaper. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
5. "Remembering classical music - A musical evening featuring Ustad Ghulam Abbas and Humera Channa". The News International (newspaper). Retrieved 16 December 2021.
6. Shoaib Ahmed (18 April 2019). "Ghulam Abbas' singing transports audience to his heyday". Dawn (newspaper). Retrieved 16 December 2021.
7. "maine roka bhi nahin aur wo thhehra bhi nahin". rekhta.org website. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
8. "THE NIGAR AWARDS 1972 - 1986". Hot Spot Online website. Archived from the original on 25 July 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
9. "Pakistan's "Oscars"; The Nigar Awards". Desi Movies Reviews. Archived from the original on 22 July 2015. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
10. "Governor confers civil awards". The Express Tribune (newspaper). 23 March 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
11. Conferment of Pakistan Civil Awards The News International (newspaper), Published 14 August 2019, Retrieved 2 October 2022