PESHAWAR: As the world celebrates music freedom day, 90-year-old Ustad Gulab Sher, a popular Pashto folk singer of the yore days, seeks financial assistance as he has been suffering from multiple health complications for the last three years.

Unfortunately, senior Pashto singers, most in their late 70s and 80s, Zarsanga, Khan Tahsil, Qamru Jan Bibi, Ahmad Gul Ustad, Khial Mohammad, Hidayatullah, Akbar Hussain, Mashooq Sultana and Almas Khalil also have been suffering from multiple health complications for the last few years. They look up to art lovers and philanthropists for monetary assistance.

The Culture Journalists Forum (CJF) and Takhleeq Development Foundation (TDF) will jointly celebrate music freedom day while Pakhtunkhwa Cultural Foundation (PCF) will release a new comprehensive study on ‘Effects of war and repression of musicians, performers and the public of Swat’.

Mr Sher is in a state of extreme hopelessness with his eyesight being lost and ailing health, which reflects unfriendly attitude of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and philistinism towards music and art. Ustad Gulab Sher is living in his dingy mud house with four sons.

Ustad Gulab Sher suffering from health complications in need of help

“Nobody has shown up from the state-run radio, TV, or culture directorate to enquire after the health of my father. We spent whatever we could afford.

I appeal to culture minister and music lovers to extend help,” Nigar Hussain, son of Mr Sher said.

Mr Hussain is the only one among Mr Sher’s family who wants to follow in his legendary father’s footprints.

Mr Sher shot to unprecedented fame in early 40s when a Peshawar branch of Kolkata-based music company ‘His Master Voice’ recorded his maiden Pashto song. He was introduced to radio Pakistan, Peshawar by Sabz Ali Khan, folk singer and music head in 1955.

“Most of my songs could not be preserved at PBC, Peshawar as I used to perform live in early 50s and 60s. Peshawar radio has preserved only 50 of my super hits,” the senior singer regretted.

“Amin Jan, a local Khan, drove me on his cycle to Peshawar radio station where Ahmad Khan and I were auditioned.

Among 12 others, we were selected as young folk singers. I was given Rs15 as royalty for my first-ever song on radio Ma Darta Makhkay Pa Rastai Da Meenay Jam Ekhay Wo,” he recalled.

“I have served Pashto folk music for 55 years. I have never sought any financial help but now when extreme poverty, old age and ailments have struck me, I am compelled to make a humble appeal to all and sundry including provincial culture directorate to extend some help to pay for my medicines,” Mr Sher said.

The nonagenarian folk singer is a resident of Mullazai village, 12 kilometres northwest of Peshawar city. He does not come from a music family but he had learnt intricacies of music from the local amateur folk singers.

Haji Mohammad Aslam Khan, general secretary of a non-profit organisation Hujra Foundation, told this scribe that they had launched fundraising to help out senior ailing artists and folk singers.

He said that they would pay a visit to Ustad Gulab Sher to hand over Rs50,000 to him. Mr Khan being a noted radio and TV anchor is also a scholar on traditional Pashto music.

“Ustad Gulab Sher and other folk singers are our precious assets. They need our help and attention,” he added.

Laiqzada Laiq, poet and former station director of PBC Peshawar, told this scribe that Ustad Gulab Sher had literally reigned over hearts during his heydays.

“He has a unique velvety voice. He has worked with almost five generations of Pashto folk singers. Khatir Afridi’s ghazal ‘Sta Manzal Manzaloonu Kay Yama’ is still on the lips of every Pakhtun listener,” he added.

An official in provincial culture directorate, when contacted, said that senior Pashto folk singers Hidayatullah and Khial Mohammad were issued cheques in June last year while others were in pipeline.

“Deserving artists and singers will be assisted in time of distress,” he said.

Published in Dawn, March 3rd, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play