PESHAWAR: Noted folk singer, Jawad Hussain, has asked the KP government to award scholarships to wards of the artists and also reserve special quota for them in educational institutions so that they could also get quality education and serve the cause of peace in the best possible manner.

In an informal chat with this scribe Jawad Hussain claimed that he was the first in his family to have done graduation and wanted to continue his education if the KP government provided him scholarship for his higher and advanced studies.

“I would like KP culture department to announce scholarships for the kids of the artists and musicians and also reserve a special quota in KP educational institutions so that they could also have an access to quality education. My Eid delights will entertain my fans and hopefully will earn more likes because of its quality music and contents,” the folk singer claimed.

Call for substantive research on Pashto folk music

Mr Hussain belongs to a Swabi’s artist family which shifted to Peshawar two decades ago. He had learnt the basics of music from his father Aftab Hussain, a noted harmonium player. He launched his singing career when he was 10 years old and brought out his maiden Pashto album ‘Maala Jawab Raaka’ in 2008 which shot him to fame and soon he became a household name in KP because of quality work.

“Normally, it is not possible for artists to educate their kids because they impart and transfer their art to them as children grow up, secondly parents pin hopes on them for a humble livelihood and young age is considered the best time to launch career in art especially for performers, and folk singers. Most artists unfortunately, grew up being uneducated but I was determined to get education along with my art training and my parents supported me in fulfilling my desire,” Mr Hussain elaborated.

The young singer has been to UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan on several occasions where he has large fan following. His other hit Pashto albums include Da Khkulo Bachahi, Zargia Swaza Lamba Kega, Laila Majnoon, Panzaib, Stargo Jang, Teregi Sa Terigi, Jor Nashi Janjal Warea, Khkulo Lanwani Kro and Muhabatona.

Mr Hussain said that no substantive research had been conducted on Pashto folk music and on the lives and contributions of those who had laid down the foundations of modern Pashto music. He said he wanted to do research on various aspects of folk singers and their works and also he would like to discover the old melodies of Pashto music.

“Pashto folk music enjoys a rich legacy which required to be researched on scientific lines. Unfortunately, we have lost most past melodies because we could not document those tunes and it also led to loss of instrumental music and musical tools. We don’t have a complete a music library where we could preserve everlasting voices of our music legends,” the young artist regretted.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2019