CHAKWAL, Aug 3: Chakwali music, Dhol Geet, is getting more popular and recently its popularity has gone up as one of the teams of Chakwali singers struck the national ear from the set of a private TV show.

The Himri songs are the real identity of Chakwal. These songs are sung in a high pitch without any modern musical instrument but Dhol (drum).

The teams of Idrees Khokar and Sufi Mohammad Ali of Moreed villages are the most famous teams of Himri songs created by a local poet by using his rich imagination.

A clerk by profession at a local mine of coal, the 67-year-old Ustad Abdul Aziz, known as Aziz Lohar, is the creator of Himri songs.

Dressed in a simple shalwar kameez, pimpled cheeks and shining eyes, Aziz Lohar of Dlailpur village has been one of the most famous singers of Himri songs.

He travels various coal mines located at different places in a day but despite this hard labour he has written more than one hundred Himri songs.

And interesting thing about his personality is that he does not have any extraordinary degree in literature or music rather he has studied till seventh grade.

He uses phrases, similes and metaphors from the rural life of Punjab in his songs in such a skilled manner that they get on the lips of every listener as soon as they sung by the singers.“Ustad Aziz has no parallel. He is a unique person who creates excellent songs with highly deep meanings,” maintains Idrees Khokar.

Ustad Aziz also trains singers, and rehearsal conducted by him on one song takes more than thirty nights. Ustad Aziz is highly respected and noted figure among singers and listeners.

“I try my best to preserve the culture of Chakwal and the people of Chakwal should also try their best to preserve and promote their culture,” says Ustad Aziz. “Our music is immortal and we are proud of it as it only exists in our district”, he says happily.

The singers of Chakwal are never encouraged by the government. They sing awesomely but they live in poverty and die quietly. “We do not need any popularity neither we wish to be recognised as heroes. Our fun has already become our identity in Chakwal and parts of Khushab and Jhelum districts”, says Idrees Khokar the undisputed king of Himri songs.