CHAKWAL: Folk singer Talib Hussain Dard is loved by people across Punjab, especially in the rural areas.

His song ‘Assi maaray sarkaar tussi changay o’ was a great hit and is considered to be a timeless tune.

Today, the beloved folk singer is disappointed by the Punjab government’s attitude towards folk artists.

“Political leaders always say that folk singers are an asset of the nation but they never take any practical steps for their welfare. They do not even try to promote the art itself,” he said.

Talib Hussain Dard was talking to Dawn at a musical performance organised at the Akwal village in Talagang tehsil.

“Folk music is the music of the people. It is an art form that is our identity but due to the callousness of our rulers, folk artists live and die quietly,” he said.

He was referring to folk artists who have passed away such as Mansoor Ali Malangi and Mahar Ghulam Muhammad Dard.

“There was no singer like Mansoor. He was the sole king of folk music besides being a great human being. Mahar Ghulam Muhammad Dard penned down scores of dohras (quatrains), mahiyas (couplets) and songs.These two legends of folk music passed away quietly and not a single person from the government came to offer condolence,” he regretted.

Singer Talib Hussain Dard says no steps have been taken for promotion of folk arts

Talib Hussain Dard who sings songs written by Mahar Ghulam Muhammad Dard was born in 1955 at Khanowana village in Jhang district which is also the district of Late Mansoor Malangi.

He started singing as a child and went to Lahore where he was taught music by the legendry classical singer, Ustad Salamat Ali Khan from the famous Sham Chorasi Gharana.

Ustad Salamat Ali Khan’s influence still dominates Talib’s songs as he sings folk music in a classical style with raag jog, behrvi and pahari.

“I added the word ‘Dard’ to my name because my favourite poet is Mahar Ghulam Muhammad”, he said.

Talib frequently performs in Chakwal.

He is the most sought after folk singer for weddings and cultural festivals. Like Mansoor Ali Malangi he has given a new classical touch to Punjabi dohra and mahiya.

His son Imran Hussain Talib has also emerged as a talented singer who often accompanies his father in performances.

“Chakwal is like my home. I have performed more than 200 times just in Akwal village,” he said.

Later both father and son kept the audience spellbound till late into the night.

The avid fans kept on requesting Talib to sing their favourite songs and dohras.

The audience was especially delighted with the performance of his famous ‘Jo guzzar gai aye wah wah dilbar’.

Published in Dawn December 22th , 2014