PESHAWAR: Folk singers across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa released over 500 albums online for fans on the occasion of Eidul Fitr, with music experts terming it the largest number ever as digital studios around the capital city made it easier for the folk artists to get their items recorded effortlessly and in less cost.

Over 50 Pashto folk singers engaged around as many music studios equipped with digital equipment, which have sprung up in the capital city during the last few years, where experts, including music composers, producers and artists, remain busy bringing out fresh songs on Eid and other propitious events.

Noted folk artists, including Karan Khan, Shah Farooq, Falal Naz Marwat, Laila Khan and Zeeshan Khan, brought albums for their fans on Eid.

“Music has witnessed a considerable change owing to modern digital era as traditional music faced a tough challenge, but still senior artists were not ready to succumb to the ‘change’ because they believed traditional music would continue touching hearts of the audience due to quality stuff,” said Haroon Khan, a young music buff.

Some senior folk singers said they would release their albums online after a week or two of the Eid event to avoid being lost among huge buzz of singers.

“Our fans and followers expect quality stuff from us while most so-called singers least care for the quality and standard of their compositions,” Asfandyar Momand, a folk artist, said.

Rashid Ahmad Khan, president of music welfare society, told this scribe that despite high inflation and financial crunch, folk artists were able to bring out over 500 fresh albums comprising lyrics for the occasion of Eid. He said most were eager to put their songs on their YouTube channels for fans and followers.

“There are over 50 music studios in Peshawar alone, all equipped with modern digital facilities. Afghan artists also use these studios for their online Eid releases as music studios in Afghanistan were dismantled after the Taliban took over Kabul in August 2021. Most of them shot outdoor shoots on several attractive locations in KP,” he added.

“Despite the fact that studio charges range from Rs8,000 to Rs10,000 per new item, several young singers still approach these music facilities for recording their debut songs to attract more audiences on social media,” Rahmat Wali, a studio technician, said.

Published in Dawn, April 15th, 2024