THIS is with reference to the article `Mujeeb and his melodies` (Icon; June 8) about renowned playback singer Mujeeb Alam who sang for Pakistani films in the 1960s and`70s and gave many a popularsong. Unlike the present-day multimillionaire singers, like Rahat Fateh Ali, Atif Aslam and Ali Zafar, to name a few, playback singers of those times, like Salim Raza, Munir Hussain and Mujeeb Alam, lived in serious poverty.

They were famous across the country, the movies did a roaring business, and their songs were routinely broadcast by Radio Ceylon, indicating their fan following even in India. But all this fame and following never got translated into financial relief for these amazing souls with golden voices.

Even at his peak, Mujeeb lived in a rented motor garage of a bungalow in the B-Block of Model Town in Lahore, located on its outer circular road. He did not have any means of transport, and used to go to the film studios in rented taxis. I used to live not too far away in a house in the H-Block on the same road.

Due to my interest in music, we developed a friendship, and Mujeeb would often walk down to my house; a distance of about two kilometres.

At times he would sing his famous songs, such as Woh m`ray saamnay tasveer banay baithay hain from the film Chakori while I played the harmonium. Mujeeb`s presence was a matter of immense pleasure for me, and I used to look forward to his visits.

As films are now rarely made in the country, such remarkable playback singers as Mujeeb hardly exist in Pakistan.

However, it is rather heartening to know that popular singers these days do not have to spend a life of hardship.

Parvez Rahim Karachi