Reshma was born around 1947 in the village of Loha, located in Ratangarh tehsil of Churu district near Bikaner, Rajasthan, India, into a nomadic Banjara (Gypsy) community that had converted to Islam. This tribal group, known for their wandering lifestyle across the Thar Desert region, formed the core of her immediate cultural heritage.
Her father, Haji Mushtaq (also referred to as Haji Muhammad Mushtaq), was a camel and horse trader from the Malashi subtribe, which contributed to the family's itinerant existence tied to Rajasthan's arid landscapes and pastoral economy. The nomadic traditions of the Banjara people immersed the family in the rich oral folk heritage of the desert, including songs and stories passed down through generations, shaping their daily life and social structure.
Reshma grew up with a younger sister, Kaneez Reshma, who later pursued a career as a professional singer, reflecting the musical inclinations within their extended t...
