Starting off in 1970, Naheed Akhtar set about a change in the music industry. Her playful voice carried through in the chirpy songs that she sang. And also added a tinge of bittersweetness in the heartbreaking music that was produced with her voice. On her birthday, we pay ode to the legend that was Naheed Akhtar and give you 13 of our favourite songs by her. These songs will make you want to sway with the music and definitely make you fall in love with all that’s good in life.

1۔ Yeh Rangeeniye Nau Bahar

This song has been a staple in many a mehndi occasions. An homage to God, the song describes all the beauty in nature. It appreciates God’s creations and all the wonderful things around us.

2۔ Chhaap Tilak Sab Cheen Li Re 

Penned by the legendary Sufi poet, Hazrat Amir Khusrau, Chaap Tilak is usually sung in qawwali form but Akhtar sang it in her own gorgeous way.

3۔ Aye Mausam Rangeeley Suhaaney

Revisited by many artists, this song is a calling out to one’s beloved because the weather demands it. You know when the weather is just right and you want to take a nice long stroll in it, with the person who means the most to you? Well, Naheed calls out to her lover for just that.

4۔ Kisi Meherbaan Ne Aa Ke Meri Zindagi Saja Di

While sprinkled with sadness, the song speaks of that one person who comes along and makes your life better.

5۔ Kuch Boliye Huzoor

This playful song will get anyone in the mood. The song is perfect for those night jub hum tum ek kamrey mein bandh houn aur chaabi kho jaye.

6۔ Tha Yaqeen Ke Aaye Gi Yeh Raat’an Kubhi 

The certainty that you’ll find that one who makes  life worth it, oozes out in this song

7۔ Yeh Dunya Rahay Na Rahay Mere Humdum

Haye, laced with the sweetness of Mehdi Hassan Khan sahab, this song assures lovers that their love will outlive the ends of the world.

8. Tujhe Pyaar Kerte Kerte Meri Umar Beet Jaaye

Now here’s a song you’d want to send your bae, straight away.

9. Zinda Rahein Tau Kya Hai 

Jo mar jayein hum tau kya…Munir Niazi, the master of heartbreaking poetry, pens down this beautiful ghazal and Naheed Akhtar nibhaos it to perfection, as well.

10. Kuch Un Ki Jafaoun Ne Loota

Finally, a qawwali from this gorgeous songstress. This song also broke stereotypes in the Pakistani music industry, where qawwalis were a predominantly male song form.

11. Shab-e-Gham Mujh Se Mil Kar Aise Royi

Here’s another heartbreaker for you. The song talks about sorrow, love, and hopelessness in a way that will make you sit and think for a while.

12. Tere Ulfat Mein Sanam Dil Ne Bohat Gham Sahe

Gham humein loot gaya, haye dil toot gaye, phir bhi aansoo na bahe…aur hum chup rahe. That’s what real heartbreak sounds like.

13. Some Say I Am Sweetie

Finally, we leave you with a song that will put you in a happy mood for the rest of the day.

At the end, all we’d want to say is Happy Birthday, Queen! May your light always shine bright.