Saeen Zahoor to release new songs inspired by Sufi poets

Renowned folk singer of ‘Jugni’ fame finally launching album of Punjabi poetry

LAHORE: Renowned Sufi singer Saeen Zahoor is all set to launch new songs for his upcoming album, which is due to release next month. He hopes to present Punjabi poetry by Sufi poets in a new and unique style.

Zahoor confirmed that he opted for Sufi poetry by famous Punjabi saint Bulleh Shah for his new venture and hopes that the public will appreciate his version. Besides Bulleh Shah, poets Waris Shah and Baba Farid have also been sources of inspiration for the new album.

“My aim is to promote the saints’ messages to a world that has kept me happy for around 75 years,” the singer told The Express Tribune. “I am very committed to this and am glad that I will be delivering such messages through my poetry, internationally.”

PHOTO: FILE

Zahoor is a very well-known folk singer of Okara, Punjab, currently settled in Lahore. He is amongst the top Sufi and folk singers contributing to Pakistan’s music industry, and has spent about six decades there. However, he only prominently rose to fame around 12 years ago when he was selected as the Best BBC Voice of the Year in 2006.

The Jugni hit maker has performed globally and even appeared on Coke Studio at the age of 75. Zahoor also spoke about his future plans and mission for the folk music. “My identity will always stem from the child who started singing very young, holding the ektara,” said the star. “I have always sung Sufi poetry and even after spending so many years within this industry, I still prefer Sufi music and poetry above anything else. It has and always will remain my priority.”

PHOTO: FILE

Further reflecting on his life, Zahoor continued, “I am happy to have spent my whole life for the welfare of Punjabi music and the promotion of Sufi poetry - full of love, peace and humanity. I have performed at Urs at Sufi shrines, and festivals for as long as I can remember and it gives me the utmost joy. This is the reason still I enjoy working with Punjabi poetry.”

The Allah Hu singer went on to state that he is excited to release his album next month, one that he has been working on for two years. “I feel privileged to have been able to sing Sufi poetry and am looking forward to honouring the work of Baba Bulleh Shah. He is my favourite and the audiences love his work too.”

PHOTO: TWITTER/ SAIN ZAHOOR

He added, “Pakistan has many great singers who have made their way to the top with some amazing work. I try to contribute to the country’s music industry to the best of my ability and it is my mission to perform excellently; especially when I perform abroad so that the audience can appreciate our local folk work.”

According to Zahoor, Pakistani music has many fans abroad. “We are lucky enough to have such poetry present within our region which leads me to believe that there will be no crisis in the field of folk music – or at least I hope there won’t be,” he said.

“We have platforms like Coke Studio which let artists experiment and create different things. Now, the government just needs to consider the services of such great artists and take steps to upgrade our financial positions to allow us to do our job in the best way possible. Besides this, the festival culture should also be revived within Pakistan.”

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