Pakistan has always been fertile ground for music. From soulful voices to master composers and skilled instrumentalists, the country has consistently produced artists who’ve earned fame across the world. Before the partition of the Indian subcontinent, an artist’s identity was not defined by region or state. However, the Partition of 1947 not only divided land and wealth – it also separated the world of art and its creators.

Those whose hearts beat for Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah migrated to Pakistan, while others stayed back in India. Among them was a legendary poet and singer named Azim Prem Raagi, whose reputation in pre-partition India rested on his unique style and Sufi poetry that captivated audiences. In love with Pakistan, he migrated from Ajmer to Lahore.

On May 12, 1937, during the coronation ceremony of British monarch King George VI, artists from all over India were invited to perform. Azim Prem Raagi was formally honored by the British Raj with the title “Prem Raagi.” Between 1930 and 1950, he published ten poetic collections, the most famous among them being Deewan-e-Azim, Kalaam-e-Azim, Falah-e-Azim, and Ghazliat-e-Azim.

This iconic poet left Pakistan a melodious legacy in the form of his son: Saleem Shehzad, a name cherished in Radio Pakistan and Pakistan’s film industry. But today, this great singer lives in poverty. He lives in a small house in Karachi and has been struggling with vision loss for the past three years, struggling even with daily chores. A fire in his home destroyed his music records, certificates, and several awards.

For the past decade, Saleem Shehzad had been surviving by teaching music to children and performing at small events arranged by old fans. Now in the final stage of his life, he is severely ill. He says the government provides him with just PKR 5,000 per month – far from enough to live on – but kind people help him, and that's the only reason he is still alive.

We recently had the chance to speak with him in an exclusive interview.

Early Life and Training
Saleem Shehzad was born in March 1946 in “Azim Manzil,” near the shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer Sharif. It was his father, Azim Prem Raagi, who introduced him to the world of music. Inspired by his father, Saleem longed to follow in his footsteps from an early age.

A few years after migrating to Pakistan, Azim took young Saleem – then 14 – to begin his musical training under his old friend, Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, in Lahore. The maestro of the Patiala Gharana and an institution in classical music, Bade Ghulam Ali Khan trained Saleem for six months. His voice gradually matured during this time. Unfortunately, when the Ustad migrated to Bombay, the training was cut short.

First Break and Rise to Fame
In 1962, a singing competition was held in Lahore for a film called “Hum Ek Hain.” Saleem won the competition, earning his spot as a playback singer. His debut film song was:"Oonchay oonchay mehlon mein dekho zara, ghareebon ki duniya mein aayi bahar”Written by Fayyaz Hashmi and composed by M. Ali Sharif, this song marked the beginning of his film career.

Saleem also had a passion for acting. In 1959, he played a supporting role in Rafiq Rizvi’s film “Apna Paraya,” alongside Syed Kamal and Shamim Ara. But acting offers never followed.

In 1964, during an industrial exhibition in Lahore, Saleem won first place in another singing competition, catching the attention of Radio Pakistan producers, who offered him a job. He spent the next 18 years enriching the lives of listeners with over 2,000 songs, ghazals, patriotic anthems, and naats, all preserved in Radio Pakistan’s archives.

While singing for Radio Pakistan Lahore, Saleem felt he still had much to learn. He continued his training under Ustad Khursheed Ahmed Bode, a mentor who had once trained even the great Mohammad Rafi. Though not widely known due to his humble nature, Bode Sahib left a deep impact on Saleem’s musical refinement.

From Radio to Cinema
By 1964, Saleem was already gaining fame. He was invited to private gatherings and began making waves in the film industry. After moving to Karachi with his father, he continued singing for Radio Pakistan.

That same year, legendary composer Sohail Rana gave him a chance to sing in the film “Heera Aur Pathar.” The song “Mujhe ek larki se pyaar ho gaya” became an instant hit among youth. It played so frequently on the radio that parents wrote to Radio Pakistan, asking them to limit the airplay, as boys were reportedly singing it outside girls' colleges.

Saleem also sang a patriotic song in the film: “Rahe himmat jawaan saathi”, picturized on Waheed Murad. After this, his film career soared.

He lent his voice to over 60 Pakistani films, including Bahaar Aayi, Mohabbat Ho To Aisi, Akaylay Na Jana, Rustom, Humdum, Siyasat, Funtoosh, Bhai Jan, Awara, Kirdar, Khush Naseeb, Shehzadi, and Islam-o-Alaikum.

In the 1976 film “Talaash”, his song:"Pyaar ki yaad nigaahon mein sajaye rakhna, in chiraaghon ko hawa mein bhi jalaye rakhna"became iconic and is still associated with him to this day. Composed by Nisar Bazmi, the tune was later copied in 1978 by Indian composer R.D. Burman in the film "Kasme Vaade", with lyrics changed to "Pyar ke rang se tu dil ko sajaye rakhna”. You can easily find this song on YouTube.

Beyond Film: Television, India, and Decline
Saleem sang in various patriotic and religious TV dramas, including Labbaik, Muhammad Bin Qasim, Tipu Sultan, and Sir Syed Ahmad Khan – all produced by Qasim Jalali. From the 1980s onward, he also regularly visited India at the invitation of fans. In 1982, he sang “Peda kar ke bhool gaya kyun” for the Bollywood film Jeevan Dhara, composed by legends Laxmikant-Pyarelal. This song can also be easily found on YouTube.

He released around 10 music albums with an Indian music label, though he no longer remembers all the details and never received royalties for his songs.

His last playback performance was for the 1995 film “Mr. K2,” in the song "Yeh duniya stage hai", picturized on his dear friend Moin Akhtar.

Private Life and Legacy
Saleem fondly recalls his admiration for Madam Noor Jehan, which began in his teens. He once convinced his mother (who stitched clothes for Madam) to take him to her house. Madam Noor Jehan invited him in warmly and asked her servant to bring the harmonium. After listening to him sing, she was delighted.

Saleem had been playing the harmonium since childhood, self-taught through observation and practice. He later learned to play the piano, sitar, and tabla, and also earned a graduate degree from Karachi University.

His musical idol was Mohammad Rafi, and his favorite composer was Naushad Ali – so much so that he named one of his sons after him. Among composers, he greatly admired Nisar Bazmi, Madan Mohan, and M. Ashraf.

Reflecting on the timeless magic of Naushad’s arrangements, he shares how “Piyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya” was inspired by a qawwali:“Khawaja Na Dein Ge Toh Phir Kaun De Ga”, which Naushad creatively transformed into a film classic.

A Forgotten Legend Speaks
Saleem appreciates the music of today’s younger generation. While humming “Tera Ban” by Atif Aslam, he expresses his admiration for the pop singer.

Saleem Shehzad married twice and has three children. Two sons work abroad, and one serves in the Karachi police. None of them pursued music.

Now in his 80s, this maestro lives quietly in Karachi. He laments:

"A nation that forgets its artists buries its culture in the dust of time."

He recalls how Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan left Pakistan after being underpaid by Radio Pakistan and was later honored in India with a house and accolades.

"Artists need love," he says. "It’s the government's duty to take care of them."

In his parting words, Saleem adds:
“I’m not hungry for money. I just want proper medical treatment. I don't want to die in obscurity. I have served art – doesn’t an artist deserve at least this much respect from their nation?”