PESHAWAR: Sawar Buneri, a pencil thin resident of Pir Baba area in Buner district, was born with a natural filial for singing and poetry.

He was able to bring out his first Pashto poetry volume in 2012 but to bring out a music album was a great challenge for him as his family had stood in his way to do so.

He had to choose one from the two -- either to leave home or go for music.

The choices were hard but he ended up with saying goodbye to his birth abode. He defied resistance of his family members and preferred to contribute to Pashto music.

For three years, he remained away from his paternal home in Peshawar city and during the time continued work on bringing out another poetry collection and a Pashto music album.

Sawar Buneri launches his first Pashto album

At last, Sawar won over hearts of his family members and found expression both in poetry and music. His second poetry collection was followed by his maiden Pashto album titled ‘Da Wakht Tasveer’ (image of time) containing 12 tracks.

At the launch of his debut album in Nishtar Hall, Peshawar recently, the budding singer was quick to recall the ordeal behind his first attempt. He said that his parents had evicted him from home for three years but at last they accepted his art and gave him a clandestine permission to launch singing.

“I have no direct teacher in music but I have drawn inspiration from different artists. My main focus is on quality music and standard content,” the 22-year-old singer told this scribe.

He received appreciation for introducing new style and diction in modern Pashto music. He had lip-synched his most tracks with artful expression. He said that lyrics, music arrangement and composition all were product of his mind.

Mr Buneri said that his basic aim was to counter substandard poetry and music. He, however, regretted that no one in his own district had helped him financially as the first album had cost him Rs250, 000.

“I walked up to every rich man in Buner to extend some financial assistance to me but no one turned to assist me. I am jobless yet my strong love for quality poetry and music forced me to launch this album. I am hopeful my album will imprint a mark on quality Pashto music chart,” he added.

Ali Amazai, another young amateur singer from Pir Baba area of Buner, said that he and Sarwar could paint a beautiful picture of Buner in the world of Pashto music if they were encouraged.

Gulzada Tareen, another young singer from Mabarn area of Buner, told this scribe that Sarwar suffered hardships for launching his art and would soon carve out a place for himself.

Shams Buneri, a senior progressive writer from Buner, said that it was a blessing that young singers from a place like Pir Baba had sprung up to contribute to music. He said that Buner had no dearth of such talent.

He said that the young singer from his district was a proof that people there loved music and art and craved for lasting peace in the region.

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2017