It's no secret that folk music is dying within the nation. Whether it's due to the lack of musical interest or the absence of platforms available for artists, Pakistani folk enthusiasts are struggling to keep their art alive.
Nonetheless, Lahore will soon see its revival. The Punjab Institute to Language Arts and Culture (PILAC) is all set to launch a 'folk studio'. An inauguration ceremony will be held at PILAC in the coming days. Details suggest that the Provincial Information and Culture Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan will be attending the ceremony along with senior folk artists.
PHOTO: PUBLICITYThe studio's construction is close to completion. PILAC's administration team has taken inspiration from Coke Studio's atelier, with hints of both conventional and contemporary aspects. The decor has been done according to traditional as well as modern instruments installed. This serves as good news for aspiring artists, who will now have a platform for their work.
It is pertinent to mention here that there are currently no public music studios in Lahore. While there are various private academies, 'folk studio' becomes the first to be funded and owned by the government within the city. Senior artists have been demanding a studio for young learners for years, as they believe it is due to the lack of platforms that the art of folk music is slowly dying.
PHOTO: PUBLICITYTalking to The Express Tribune, Director PILAC Dr Sugra Sadaf, who is the pioneer behind the establishment of 'folk studio', shared the vision behind this initiative. She also shared that she has a comprehensive plan for the betterment of folk music within Punjab. “This is not just any studio. This is the first time a complete workspace has been developed for folk music. We will make sure to invite musicians, showbiz personalities and even the general public to view our studio."
She shared that although they came across many financial hurdles along the way, the team's commitment preceded. "The reason behind establishing this folk studio is to revive the dying art. Pakistan has a wonderful history of folk music especially Punjab, where big names were made. Alam Lohar, Tufail Niazi, Reshma, Sain Zahoor, Attaullah Essa Khilvi, Shoukat Ali and many others earned fame for our nation."
PHOTO: PUBLICITYSadaf went on to provide that despite such rich history, recent years have seen things change for the worse. She stated there is so much hidden talent within the villages of Punjab - all they need is support.
"Other than talent among folk singers, there is a lot of flair amid instrumental players as well. However, these young musicians will never emerge without the support they require. This is our vision and aim - to provide support for all kinds of talent surrounding the art of folk."
She believes that this knack can prove to be a real strength for our nation's music industry. "Our plan is to advertise all around Pakistan and encourage young folk artists to pursue their dreams. After recording their music, we plan on releasing it."
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Edited by Ramsha Vistro.
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