PESHAWAR, March 9:  Renowned Afghan singer Ustad Shah Wali will launch three music albums comprising the numbers of classical and contemporary Pashto poets with a blend of traditional and modern music orchestra.

He had migrated to Pakistan from Afghanistan in early 80s and settled at Tehkal Bala area in Peshawar. Financial constraints forced him to settle in Canada in late 90s where he opened an institute of music to teach Pashto, Persian, Urdu and South Asian classical compositions.

“Change is inevitable, there should be no hurdle in the way of new experiment or introducing a new trend in any genres of art but quality should never be comprised because too much commercialism robs art of its real value. I favour new trends in Pashto music but not at the cost of its own blend and flavour,” the senior singer told Dawn during a chat.

Born in 1951 in district Tagab, Kapisa province of Afghanistan, Shah Wali’s penchant for music drove him to Radio Kabul and TV. He gained widespread popularity in a short span of time due to his velvety voice and command over music.

Well-versed with folk, classical and light ghazal singing, Mr Wali during his stay in Pakistan was inspired by ghazal maestros Mehdi Hasan, Ghulam Ali, Master Nawab Ali and Rafiq Shinwari and contributed immensely to Pashto music.

Being a recipient of 400 awards from various literary and cultural organisations, he has 2000 albums to his credit. Mr Wali returned to Pakistan for his family gathering in Peshawar in 2005 after a decade long sojourn in Canada and appeared on PTV and PBC several times but had recorded no album during the time except performing at select-gatherings.

“I had no time to work seriously on a Pashto album worthy of lending an ear to as I was caught between Kabul and Peshawar in settling down my family matters. Also I had some 200 students from around the world to teach music to at my institute in Canada. My two sons -- Shaukat Wali a rabab player and Shomali tablanawaz -- help me there while my other two sons -- Qudrat Wali and Gul Wali -- are reading business and law respectively as they have no inclination towards music,” he said.

The senior singer said that he introduced Pashto music to foreigners and made them understand how matchless and rich the traditional Pashto music was.

He said that after a long he felt a need for launching new albums amid a changing music chart trends in Pashto. He added that he would include numbers of Rahman Baba, Khushhal Khan Khattak, Hameed Baba, Ali Khan, Ghani Khan, Ajmal Khattak, Qalandar Momand, Dr Mohamad Azam Azam, Ikramullah Gran Bacha, Rahmat Shah Sail and Abaseen Yousafzai. He would bring out an exclusive album of Amir Hamza Khan Shinwari’s poetry.

“I will concentrate on the verses of these literary giants not sung by any singers which advocate peace, humanism, humility, universal brotherhood and romanticism. I have already made selections and prepared composition with traditional and modern blend of music. It will be a tribute to these great poets as well a memorable gift to my fans,” Mr Wali said.

He said that Zarwali, his elder son, would carry on his legacy. “I have completely transferred my art of signing to him. He is my real successor.  Pakhtuns and their arts are passing through a very crucial stage. The problem of survival could only be overcome if Pakhtuns remained stuck to their own cultural identity,” Mr Wali said.