Naseebo has belted out over 100 music albums in her career. PHOTO: PUBLICITY
LAHORE: She started her career performing at marriage functions, and later took the plunge into films, radio and stage. She belted out multiple Lollywood hits and continued to sing at holy shrines and private affairs. And so, in not much time, Naseebo Lal established herself as a leading Punjabi folk and playback singer.
With her family vehemently opposing the idea of her singing, Naseebo never had it easy. However, she somehow always managed to fight against the odds and chase her dreams. Along the way, stereotypes and accusations of promoting vulgarity dented her career, but she remained steady. Today, after making her debut on Coke Studio, Naseebo is no more a regional artist.
She dubbed her collaboration with Umair Jaswal for Sasu Mangay as overwhelming. “Singing for Coke Studio was a unique experience. I think this is a turning point in my career,” Naseebo told The Express Tribune. “People from everywhere are congratulating me for my song and it has gained more popularity than I expected it to.”
Naseebo felt at ease with Sasu Mangay, which suited her natural singing style. However, she credited Umair equally for making it possible. Hoping he offers to collaborate on more tracks in the future, she shared, “If he gives me the opportunity to sing more songs with him, I will do them.”
While she is not too familiar with the internet, Naseebo’s friends and associates have told her the song has thousands of likes. “My singing colleagues and family members are also appreciating me. They said I was looking good while singing on the stage of Coke Studio,” she added. Like many artists from her generation, she is grateful to the show for giving her an opportunity to reach out to a much larger audience. “Coke Studio is doing a good job because it is giving an identity to singers and also promoting our culture.”
According to Naseebo, people generally are under the impression that she only sings traditional folk songs. However, when no other opportunity came her way in the past, how was she expected to prove her skills to the audience? “I can sing all sorts of songs. I belong to an area where there are many talented singers but they are not given the enough opportunities.”
Nowadays, the Dukhi Dil Mera singer is thinking of working on music projects with Indian directors as well as singers such as Hans Raj Hans. She wants to release music albums from India as well as Pakistan.
“I am a public singer and always aimed to meet public demands but now I want to do more in life. I always sang what producers and songwriters wanted me to,” she noted. Meanwhile, she is also working on her music academy, which aims to impart training to those who cannot afford it.
Naseebo said she will continue making her fans proud in some way or another.
“I am very happy with the performances of other singers on Coke Studio and there is no doubt that there still are many good singers in our country. It was also my commitment to music that I have come such a long way. I have seen a lot of crisis. Now I want to see the good days.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 17th, 2016.
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