Kaneez Reshma crosses border to embrace B'wood

The singer has recorded two Rajasthani songs so far. Ghazals and folk songs are her forte.

Joining the increasing number of Pakistani artists crossing the border to find their calling in India, eminent singer Kaneez Reshma said she she had overcome familial compulsions to make a mark in the land of her idol Lata

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Here to perform in two private functions, Kaneez Reshma, younger sister of celebrated Pakistani singer Reshma of Lambi Judai fame, said she had already recorded two songs in Mumbai, one for a Bollywood venture.

"Pakistan and India are no different as far as people and recognition of talent is concerned. I had to raise kids and attend to my family all these years but since the children have grown up, I think it is time for me to nurture and worship music, which runs in my genes," the singer, whose ancestors were from Bikaner in Rajasthan, said.

Kaneez Reshma, who said Lata Mangeshkar and Noor Jehan are her biggest inspiration, has recorded two Rajasthani songs - one for an untitled film whose music is being composed by Ram Shankar and an album tentatively titled Pehla Sawan.

"This is just the beginning, I have been offered songs by the Samir Sen-Dilip Sen duo. I will sing more songs in India now," Reshma, who is equally at home with Hindi and Punjabi, besides the Marwari dialect, said.

Her forte - ghazals and folk songs - have a wide listener base in this country and her six Pakistani albums have been appreciated by music lovers on either side of the border.