Pakistani singer Arthur Nayyar dies

Lahore: Pakistan's iconic playback singer Arthur Nayyar, popularly known as A Nayyar, has died. He was 66.

The vocalist died of cardiac arrest in Lahore yesterday. Winner of country's prestigious Nigar Award for five times, Nayyar appeared on the scene in 1970's and sang more than 4,000 songs. Nayyar first appeared on TV show "Naye Fankar" in 1974 and started playback singing with the film "Bahisht" with the song 'Yunhi Din Kat Jaye'. His popular songs are -- 'Pyar to ik din hona tha', 'Sathi mujay mil gaya' from "Amber", 'Milay do sathi khili do kaliyan' and 'Ik baat kahoon dildara'. Nayyar's musical journey started in a small town of Punjab, Arifwala, where he spent his childhood. A student of legendary musician Wajahat Atre, who also sought guidance from ghazal maestro Mehdi Hassan, Nayyar was inspired by Mohammad Rafi, Talat Mahmood and Saleem Raza. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, President Mamnoon Hussain and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif expressed their grief over the demise of Nayyar.