PESHAWAR: Young singer Hashmat Sahar has released a new Pashto video on social media, garnering appreciation from music buffs with an objective to promote light ghazal singing in Pashto.

Hailing from Hangu district, he has a refined taste for singing ghazal of Pashto poets Rahman Baba, Khushal Khan Khattak, Amir Hamza Khan Shinwari, Rahmat Shah Sail, Abaseen Yousafzai, Laiqzada Laiq and Fazle Subhan Abid. The new ghazal video contains numbers reflective of miserable condition of people and also resistance undercurrents that moved the audience due to its quality music composition and velvety voice with a rich traditional orchestra.

“The art of light ghazal singing should be revived and promoted by budding artists,” said Mr Sahar.

He launched his career in early teens from PTV Peshawar centre and received proper training from seasoned musicians in the art of ghazal singing. This time around he launched video of fresh Pashto ghazal titled Janazay and penned down by Mumtaz Orakzai. The ghazal, he said, was a sad commentary on the miserable plight of Pakhtuns.

Hashmat Sahar’s new Pashto music video garners appreciation

Mr Sahar shot to fame when he sang popular number of known Pashto poet Fazle Subhan Abid ‘Pa Pekhawar Kay Parhar Ma Jorawa’ (Don’t hit Peshawar any longer). He has numerous music albums to his credit and has also done playback numbers for more than 100 Pashto movies. Being a recipient of many awards and commendation certificates, he has been to UK, Afghanistan and Gulf States for performing live music shows.

The artist told this scribe that despite absence of music academy in the province, there was no dearth of talent in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “Pashto film industry needs patronage. Nobody but artists themselves have to do the job. Music helps in promotion the cause of peace and countering militancy,” he added.

Mr Sahar said that he wanted to promote the art of light ghazal singing in Pashto. Ustad Khial Mohammad was the best model as he introduced it decades ago in Pashto but only a few singers followed him, he added.

He said that ghazal singing was not everybody’s cup of tea as it required practice for hours under the supervision of the seasoned musicians with knowledge and master over classic music. He said that his new video launched on social media had already carved out a niche and won appreciation from his fans.

Published in Dawn, December 28th, 2020