The above-mentioned proverb holds true for music great Munir Hussain.
Born to artistic family, he showed all signs of a successful singer as a youth.

He was the nephew of noted composer, Rasheed Attre, who first introduced him to the cinema.

 

He debuted with the song "Qarar lutnay walay qarar ko tarsay" (The film "Saat Lakh", 1957, composer: Rasheed Attre, pictured on Santosh Kumar).

His singing career irrefutably reached stratospheric heights after his first recorded song. It became the number one song in his singing career, as well.

God Almighty endowed him with the distinctive gift of a deeply intense yet profoundly innocent and resonant voice.

His voice was an exquisite blend of torment and anguish. His voice also carried a touch of tenderness and joy.

The following ghazal was recorded in the golden voice of Munir: "Is sheher kharabi mein gham-e-ishq kay maaray". (The film "Mauseeqar," lyrics by revolutionary poet, Habib Jalib).

One of Pakistan's favorite singers, Munir teamed up with Mala to record this duet: "Hari hari ruth Aaye sawun ki" (The film "Mein zinda hoon", producer-actor: Lala Sudheer).

Munir Husain offers a hopeful instance of how much artist can accomplish if we just give them the chance.

Munir's pride in his work soon caught the eye of other film directors and they signed him for their movies.

The following Nazm was recorded in Munir's wistful voice: "Barg-e-Aawara": 'Sookhay pathon ki tarhan urtay rahay'. (Director: Jafar Bukhari's film "Samaaj", which was the re-make of his previous film "Bharosa", Nazm: Habib Jalib).

His was a voice that transcends oceans, languages and cultures.

The outcome was simply outstanding: "Zindigi tum say mili, tum say mila pyar" (The film "Dil kay tukray", director: Nazeer Ajmeri, duet: Munir-Mala).

The emotions conveyed by the depth and intonation of maestro Munir were unparalleled in the following numbers:

 

"Ik tum milay to sara jahan mil gaya" (The film: "Mauseeqar")
"Hum nay to pyar kya hai" (The film "Gunah gaar")
"Aye meri zindigi" (The film "Tauba")

Relatively speaking, Munir was brilliant at slow numbers.
However, he achieved prominence in the following faster numbers as well:

"Baray sungdil ho, baray na samaj ho, tumhain pyar karna sikhana paray ga" (The film "Aashiyana", picturised on Kamal).

Every fan feels the despondency and despair of a lonely heart as he listens to this tragic score: "Jo dil ko taurtay hain" (The film: "Aashiyana", director: S.M.Yusuf).

Proponents say unabashedly, "The earlier singers like Munir Hussain, changed the Pakistani music, for the better".

They made the entertainment what it was up until 1970s.

Given here below is a lighter number by Munir recorded years ago: "Pyar khud jeenay kay andaaz sikha day ta hai"(The film: "Samaaj", director: Jafar Bukhari).

Not surprisingly, the eyes of his fans are misty as they listen to the souful Munir: "Lag gaye kalayjiwa pay choat"(The film "Lunda bazaar", director: S.A.Bukhari).

The following song in the voice of Munir is an inspiration and a tribute to his nation: "Nisar mein teri gulyon pay, aye watan kay jahan" (The film "Shaheed",director: Khaleel Qaiser).

Munir's rich voice was also well suited for the romantic scores:

"Bura jo na maano"(The film "Sanam",director: S.A.Hafiz.)
"Aisa mehboob jo mil jaye" (The film "Sanam")
"Tum milay pyar mila up koi Armaan nahi."

Some examples of Munir's magical musical masterpieces:

"Rim jhim rim jhim paray phuar"( The film "Koel", director: Masood Pervez, duet: Munir-Noor Jehan.)
"Hum ko duayain do tumhain" (The film "Eid Mubarak", director: S.M.Yusuf, duet: Munir-Mala).

Admirers cherish the memory of Munir's past performances as a singer.

Munir also lend his voice for the following songs:

"Uthalay Aap he khanjar utha lay": The film Gulfaam".

"Jaag soaz-e-ishq jaag":: "The film "Naghma-e-dil".

"Is dil ko dil mein rakhna": The film "Naghma-e-dil".

"Ik cheese gawachi" The film "Nooran".

"Punchi tay pardesi" The film "Nooran".

"Sohniyan nainoan waaliye" The film "Jaggu".

"Chayn say so rahay thay hum" The film "Naya zamana".

"Ratain kaliyan" The film " Naji".

"Teri khair howay" The film "Heer Ranjha".

"Wanjhli walarya" The film "Heer Ranjha".

"Way gal sunn haniyaan" The film "Chooriyaan".

Aisay na mil maahiya" The film "Kaun apna kaun paraya".

"Haniyan day peelay phul" The film "Aakhri Jang"."

Moreover, Munir also recorded songs for the following films:

Suhagan, Gehra daagh, Suraiya, Saathi, Parda, Gulbahar, Anokhi baath, Khyber

 

pass, Zarqa, Sartaj, Dooor ki Aawaz, Jawab do, Laila Majnu, Sawaal, Taj Mahal,

 

Dewar bhabi, Honahar, Sultana, Shab bakhair, and Haar gaya Insaan.

 

Pop music took its toll of the reputed Pakistani singers in the 1970s.Many renowned singers succumbed to it. Munir was no exception.

Munir knew that in the treasury house of his soul were infinitely precious songs that could not be taken from him.

He swayed with the twists and turns of life. His last days were filled with deep unhappiness, but he never complained.

He took his last breath on September 27, 1995 in Lahore, Pakistan, after suffering a brain hemorrhage.
He was 65.

For millions of Pakistanis, the moment was charged with profound emotion as they listened to the news of his death.