ISLAMABAD: Manganhaar folk singers captivate audience
By Mobarik Virk
ISLAMABAD, Sept 13: A group of traditional 'Manganhaar' singers from Thar and Cholistan gave a captivating performance at the NIC building auditorium here on Sunday evening.
The singers from remote deserts of Thar and Cholistan, accompanied by their own set of musicians, seemed confident and eager to present their talent to the maximum on their maiden appearance in the federal capital. And, evidently they succeeded far and large as most of the audience remained in the hall till the end despite the fact that there were very few among the crowd who could fully understand the language.
There were frequent instances when many in the audience found the music irresistible and took to the small space available in front of the stage to sway and dance on the melodious tunes of the traditional but mostly unheard music from the desert.
Nazar Mohammad from Umarkot, who is basically a musician and plays harmonium, won appreciation from the crowd with his rich and melodious voice. He presented two songs, including a traditional 'Lori'.
Krishan Lal Bheel was no stranger for many in the crowd as he had been performing at the 'Lok Virsa' festivals, a most popular annual event of the federal capital which has now somehow ceased to take place because of lack of interest on the part of the officials concerned. Krishan Bheel, who belongs to Rahim Yar Khan, presented the traditional Cholistani songs.
Attired in the most colourful and charming Thari and Cholistani costumes the singers took to the stage one by one, each presenting his or her numbers. Shaukat and Hayat, two young singers from Umerkot, set the ball rolling with a Marvari song followed by Mohammad Rafiq who sang a couple of folk songs, Ms Daduly from Sadiqabad sang two Marvari songs in addition to a famous song of legendary singer Mai Bhagi 'Khari Neem Key Neechey'.
Gulzar, Zarina Laal, Nadira Perveen and Sabra Sultana, the two sisters from Ranipur who were probably the youngest of the group, presented the unheard melodies to the elite audience and managed not only to entertain them fully but also win the well deserved appreciation and applause at the same time.
The musicians included harmonium players Nazar Mohammad, Rajab Khan and Salik, Dholak players Roshan Ali, Sattar and Qaim, Banjo players Habibullah and Ghulam Hussain, Khartal player Rab Dino and Krishan Das, Majeeray player Kabir Das, Tabla player Ibrahim and Khanjri player Ikhtiar.
The rare opportunity for the singers and musicians from Thar and Cholistan as well as for the select audience of Islamabad was provided by the Folklore Society of Pakistan in collaboration with ActionAid Pakistan.
Yasir Nauman, who has a longing for collecting and preserving traditional music, played a key role in bringing 'Manganhaar' singers and musicians to the federal capital.
Mr Nauman has been working closely with the 'Manganhaar' community in their own environments deep in the deserts of Cholistan for the past many months and inspired their elders to come out and perform in the cities to a much bigger but completely different audience.
"I derived the idea of holding this programme from late Sri Komal Kothari, the former director of the Rajasthan Institute of Folklore, when I had a chance to meet him in India.
It was a great experience and the legendary Sri Komal Kothari taught me so much about the traditions and history of the 'Manganhaar tribe' divided on both sides of the border in Pakistan and India," Mr Nauman told Dawn.
"I believe I have taken a big step forward now and hope all of us together will continue to promote this beautiful and exciting form of traditional music which had remained confined to small areas deep in the deserts of Cholistan and Thar," Mr Nauman said.
Noted folklorist from India Keshav S. Kothari was the chief guest of the evening. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Kothari appreciated the spirit with which the young 'Manganhaar' singers and musicians had learnt the traditional songs and music to protect their heritage and keep it alive.
He lauded the efforts of ActionAid Pakistan and the Folkore Society of Pakistan for patronizing the 'Manganhaar' culture. Dr Fauzia Saeed dressed in traditional Thari and Cholistani costume conducted the festival, narrating the proceedings in English for the benefit of the expat audience which also had a thick presence in the crowd.
