The 19th death anniversary of singer, actor, producer, director, script writer, columnist, religious scholar and a protagonist of the development of Punjabi language and literature Inayat Hussain Bhatti is being observed on Thursday 31st May.

After graduation from Gujrat, Bhatti came to Lahore in December 1948 with the intention to study law.

His destiny however had different plans for him, A few months after his arrival in Lahore, he made his first performance on stage in the YMCA Hall, Lahore, in a play which focused on the freedom struggle of Kashmir. Later, Inayat Hussain Bhatti came to Radio Pakistan Lahore, where he met and became a formal pupil of Master Niaz Hussain Shami, a composer then working for Radio Pakistan. This facilitated Bhatti’s participation in regular radio programs as a singer. He sometimes used to accept character roles in plays broadcast by the Lahore station of Radio Pakistan. once he was memorizing some lines while having tea at the radio canteen when Rafi Peer, a play writer, overheard him. He went up to him and asked whether he would acts as the Hero in his play Akhian (Eyes). this was a Godsend for Bhatti who readily accepted the offer and acted to Peer’s satisfaction.

Bhatti was introduced to composer Ghulam Ahmed Chishti by Master Shami in 1949, who offered him an opportunity to record a few songs in producer-director Nazir’s film Phairey (1949). The song “aakhiyan laanveen naan”, a duet with Munnawer Sultana for that film was an instant hit.

Inayat sang for nearly 500 films, in both Urdu and Punjabi. His impressive discography includes 2,500 songs. In 1960, the singer also set up a theatre which later became known for renditions of Sufi poetry such as that of Waris Shah, Bulleh Shah and Mian Muhammad Baksh . He also worked as a producer, director and script-writer, as well as a social worker in his 50-year-long career, making films like Chann Makhna, Sajan Pyara and Ishq Deewana.

“Inayat was a big name in Punjabi folk singing, as well as acting. His theatre became very popular during the 60s, 70s and 80s, singer Shoukat Ali told The Express Tribune.

“He was a real superstar who worked with almost all the big actors and actresses of his time. Inayat even sang some naats and kalaams, worked for PTV and highlighted many social evils through his films,” added film-maker Iqbal Kashmiri. “He was truly one of a kind.”

Inayat passed away in 1997, succumbing to paralysis attack. He was 71.

Awards and decorations

• In recognition of his social services, the Pakistan Medical Association on 2 January 1974, awarded him with Medical College Color, the ceremony was held at Nishtar Medical College, Multan. He is the first and until today, the only non-medical person in the subcontinent to receive this honour.
• After Prince Karim Agha Khan IV and the late prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, he became the third person to be given honorary life membership of the Punjab Press Club during the mid 1970s.
• Gold medal from the chief minister of Sindh for his patriotic song 'Allah-o-Akbar'.
• Gold Medal from Pakistan Peoples Party (1976).
• Lifetime Achievement Award from Nigar Awards.
• Lifetime Achievement Award from Bolan Academy.
• Honorary life membership of the Pakistan Film Producers' Association.
• President of Rajput Bhatti Association of Pakistan
• Life chairman of Pakistan Singers' Association.
• Chairman of rehabilitation council of Gulab Devi Hospital, Lahore.
• Shields and trophies presented to him by Lions Clubs International and Rotary Club Multan on 2 January 1974, for his services to promote Saraiki culture through his Saraiki films and songs.
• EMI recording company awarded him a Silver Disc for his 25th year of association with the company (7 December 1976).
• Golden Jubilee film award from Jang Group of Newspapers on 4 July 1996.
• Numerous other awards, medals, shields and commendation certificates from various literary Punjabi committees and associations.

Pakistan Army

• For his patriotic songs, Bhatti was bestowed with the following honours by the Pakistan Armed Forces:
• He was the honorary member of numerous army units.

Shields of honour from

• 12 Medium Regiment, Artillery [on the eve of 32nd raising day].
• Officers of 43 Baluch Regiment.
• 48 Signal Battalion [7 January 1993].
• The Century six Artillery Unit.