LAHORE: Legendary folk singer Reshma, passed away in Lahore on Sunday morning, DawnNews reported.

According to the hospital sources, Reshma had been in coma for a month after being diagnosed with throat cancer years ago.

Born in Bikaner, Rajasthan to Banjara family around 1947, Reshma's tribe migrated to Karachi shortly after partition.

Having received no formal education, she was only 12 when she was was spotted singing at Shahbaz Qalander’s shrine by a television and radio producer, who arranged for her to record “Laal Meri” on Pakistan radio.

The song was an instant hit, and Reshma went on to become one of the most popular folk singers of Pakistan, appearing on television in the 1960s, as well as recording songs for both the Pakistani and Indian film industry.

Some of her famous numbers include "Dama Dam Mast Kalandar", "Hai O Rabba nahion lagda dil mera", "Ankhiyan no rehen de ankhyan de kol kol" and “Lambi Judai”.

Many people of note reacted with sadness on Twitter after learning of Reshma's death.

Former Junoon guitarist, Salman Ahmed, tweeted "a voice of passion not of this earth (RIP) 'Hayo Rabba'".

Indian journalist Farzana Versey tweeted, "She broke the silence of the desert. #Reshma. A voice so wounded, pain became the song."

Author and journalist Sadia Dehlvi tweeted, "Just heard of singer Reshma's death. Recall meeting and listening to her several times over decades. May her soul rest in peace."

She his survived by a son Umair and daughter Shazia.