A legend fades: The Queen of Pashto ghazals passes away
Known as the queen of Pashto ghazals and ruling the hearts of millions in her heyday, Bacha Zarin Jan passed away after prolonged illness early morning on Wednesday, in her rented house in Peshawar’s Bakhshu Pul area.
Zarin Jan, popularly known as Bibi Gul, was among a rare crop of singers who not just held command over the seven Surs, but also possessed a versatile diction enabling them to sing in various languages. In Zarin Jan’s case, these included Pashto, Hindko, Punjabi, Seraiki, Potohari, Urdu and Persian. Her music was popular with both Pakistani and Indian listeners.
Born in Kalpanay area, Par Hoti, Mardan in 1942, music ran in Zarin Jan’s blood – her father, Ustad Abdur Rahim Khan was a well-known musician from Calcutta. To her misfortune though, she never saw him. Despite this, her musical education continued and she went on to learn Pashto music and ghazal from the likes of Ustad Gul Pazir Khan and Ustad Ghulam Fareed Khan from India.
From the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz to a lifetime achievement award, the 71-year-old maestro had an illustrious career as a singer, which started at the tender age of seven. Her debut song ‘Gila da Khpalo keegi Nakri sook da pradoo na gila’ (complaints are made to the ones you know, not to strangers) introduced her as a child artist on radio Pakistan in 1948.
Jan sang countless songs among them, ‘Rao ra Bandai Bandai che opelu na’ ‘Za Pana Walarha yama’ ‘Halaka balai ma narhawa leeday ma na shay’ and ‘Allah ho sha Allah ho’ are popular.
Her glorious career was in sharp contrast to a turbulent personal life. She also suffered from a host of medical problems which eventually led to her demise.
Just a few days before she passed away, Zarin Jan talked to The Express Tribune: “My elder sister had a terrible experience after marriage… I could not imagine myself going through that, so I devoted my life to my first love, music.”
“Every queen has her fall, maybe that is why I can hardly make both ends meet,” she added.
Living in a congested house, her weak persona attracted more attention than the awards she garnered which sat unnoticed on a mud wall.
Pashto singer Bakhtiar Khattak termed her death a great loss to Pashto music. “She was the backbone of Pashto folk music. Unfortunately, we could not serve her the way one should serve legends,” he said.
Legendary Pashto singer Hidayatullah, meanwhile, eulogised “She will always be honoured for contributing immensely to the Pashto music industry.”
Published in The Express Tribune, July 26th, 2012.
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Why do we only hear about them when they pass away? The govt. (non-existent as it it) should have taken care of this legend. Such a shame.
Oh no! This is such a tragic loss to Pashto music! May she rest in peace! It's heartbreaking that she suffered so much despite being a legend. So much for our respecting and appreciating those who we consider queens.
RIP Bibi Gul.
In Bibi Gul we have lost a great Pashto folk artist. Though her songs would continue to warm our hearts and win our admiration, I am saddened to hear that she was struggling to make both ends meet. Her listeners in general, the govt and fellow musicians and singers should have seen to it that she had a decent living. That is not how we should treat our legends We should also make sure that other artists who are still with us have economic stability. If nothing else we can raise funds to help them in their immediate future or at least in addressing their health issues if any.
"living in a rented house" its tragic the way artists and other great people suffer in Pakistan while the corrupt enjoy every luxury of life. so sad indeed.