PESHAWAR: Noted Pashto ghazal maestro Ustad Khial Mohammad has sought help for artists, folk singers and musicians of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Expressing his views after meeting with a group of artists here on Sunday, he said that culture directorate should extend financial support to artists and folk singers, especially those, who had been bedridden since long.

The ghazal maestro said that among other important things, culture directorate should build a folk music street in Dabgari Bazaar where artists, singers and musicians could practice and market traditional music.

“Dabgari Bazaar has been a music street for the last 200 years. It is the prime responsibility of the government to rebuild it according to the needs of the modern time. Music street is must if we want to revive our traditional music in its original form and young artists will get training and proper grooming, It will send out definitely a positive message to the world,” said Ustad Khial Mohammad.

Ustad Khial Mohammad thanks culture directorate for appreciation

A group of artists and musicians including Ustad Nazeer Gul, AR Anwar, Gohar Jan, Zulfiqar Ustad and Rashid Khan visited Ustad Khial Mohammad’s residence here on Sunday and enquired after his health. Anwar Khial, Wisal Khial and Shahzad Khial, the sons of Usatd Khial Mohammad were also present on the occasion.

Hunari Tolana, a local organisation, on behalf of Culture Director Shama Naimat conferred a commendation certificate, shield and Swati Shawl as token of respect and acknowledgements on the Pashto ghazal maestro. Ustad Khial thanked the culture directorate regards and asked the officials concerned to encourage the young artists and also fulfil genuine needs of the poor and ailing musicians.

“I am grateful to culture directorate but at the same time I will appeal to the authorities to enquire after the health of senior artists and continue supporting young musicians. Artists are humble souls. They are in need of appreciation but only good words are not sufficient,” he said.

Rashid Khan, noted singer and chief of Hunari Tolana, told this scribe that his organisation would forward a proposal to culture directorate to confer a life achievement award on him.

Ustad Nazeer Gul said that Ustad Khial Mohammad introduced many tunes in the art of Pashto light ghazal singing as he rendered ghazals of Khushal Khan Khattak, Rahman Baba, Hameed Baba, Ghani Khan, Hamza Baba and modern poets with great ease and wonderful tunes.

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2020