ISLAMABAD: Lok Virsa launched two new books titled Aangai and Chitral Ke Lok Geet on Monday.

The book launch was followed by a musical performance by Chitrali folk singer Mansoor Ali and his accompanying musicians.

Chitral Ke Lok Geet was written by Mohammad Irfan and published by LokVirsa.

The book focuses on folk songs from Chitral and delves into the scenic musical landscape of Chitral region, describing the culture of music and musicians, their lifestyles and various forms of instruments and its historic evolution.

The second book, Aangai, is a compilation of poetry that reflects the struggles of Kakar brides of Balochistan.

The poetry serves as a much-needed expression to the myriad of challenges that they have faced historically and the introspection from their view point.

The book is written by Ali Kamil Qazalbash.

Aangai has more than 30 poems that describe the feelings of different brides and their friends when they are leaving their parents’ house to begin a new life.

Some of the poems highlight social issues women in our society face like early child marriages, marriages to settle disputes, marriages to older men in exchange for a heavy dowry and the sadness a bride feels when she leave her parents’ home.

There is also poetry that describe the grief of brides whose fathers are not alive.

Talking about his book, Ali Kamil Qazalbash said he has highlighted social injustices women face at different stages of their lives.

“However, through this tradition of Aangai (expression) we come to know that women in such areas were given the right to speak out their heart at the time of their wedding.

“In today’s modern world, why are women not given the right to speak and take decision,” he added.

Speaking on the occasion, writer Kishwar Naheed said such books would play an important role in creating a sense of realisation among the younger generation about the importance of their diverse cultural identity.

Senate Functional Committee on Problems of Less Developed Areas Chairman Senator Usman Khan Kakar was the chief guest at the event.

He said these books should be translated into English to reach a larger audience.

“A wedding day is considered the happiest occasion for any couple, but brides, through the tradition of Aangai, express their heartache through poetry and describe all the issues they face including poverty, slavery and lack of education,” he said.

The other book, Chitral Ke Lok Geet contains folk love songs, some of them sung on the occasion by noted musicians from Chitral.

During the performance, folk singer Mansoor Ali was accompanied by Aftab Alam on the Sitar and Munawar Shah on Tabla.

One Chitrali song sung on the occasion was about a conversation between a mother deer, which is shot by a hunter, and her offsprings.

She calms them down and assures them that she is not going to leave them. This song highlights the issue of illegal deer hunting, which was once common in Chitral.

Mansoor Ali said the popularity of classical instruments is declining in Pakistan and as result talented musicians are feeling abandoned.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2018