Riaz-ur-Rehman Saghar had a special talent for putting feelings into words. He filled songs with deep emotions and had a way of speaking that truly touched people’s hearts. His beautiful songs continue to echo in the air and move us deeply.
Born on December 1, 1941, in Bathinda, India, Riaz Saghar’s family moved to Multan and then Lahore after Pakistan was formed. Lahore became the city where he started his career in journalism and writing. Soon, the pen he used for news began to write songs and poetry instead. He wrote stories for about 75 films, but he became truly famous for a popular song from the movie “Samaj.” After that, his career took off, flowing like a river that never stops.
Many famous singers, like Mehdi Hassan, Noor Jehan, Asha Bhosle, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Naheed Akhtar, Naseebo Lal, and Adnan Sami, sang his lyrics. His poetry wasn’t just about love; it also had the scent of his homeland, the feeling of missing someone, and the bright glow of dreams. His well-known national song about Kashmir, “Jaane Kab Honge Kam Iss Duniya Ke Gham” (Who knows when the sorrows of this world will lessen), still stirs strong feelings and speaks a powerful truth about that time.
During his life, Riaz-ur-Rehman Saghar created more than 3,000 songs, ghazals, national anthems, and devotional poems. His work reached millions of people through radio, films, and television. He was honored with many awards for his contributions, including the National Film Award, Nigar Award, PTV Award, Bolan Award, and the Cultural Graduate Award.
Riaz-ur-Rehman Saghar left this world on June 1, 2013, at the age of 72 twelve years since his passing today, on June 1, 2025, the beauty of his words remains very much alive in every song we hear, every memory we cherish, and in the hearts of all who loved his work.
