Wrestler Sheeda Launcher’s Gangnam Style dance wins

Annual Urs of Pir Fateh attracts thousands of visitors.

BAHAWALPUR:

Thousands of people attended the annual urs of Pir Fateh was held on Friday near the Walhaar Forest near Rahim Yar Khan.

The three-day festival featured performances by folk artists and an inter-provincial wrestling bout. The bout was won by Sheeda Launcher of Jor Thatta. Launcher followed his victory by performing a Gangnam-Style dance which won the audience’s heart.

This festival is held each year in November at the century-old tomb of Pir Fateh. It was attended by several Sindhi and Seraiki folk singers, including Nadir Ali Mehar.

Sheeda Launcher told The Express Tribune he had been participating in the festival for five years and was the reigning champion. He said his forefathers had been wrestlers and this was his only profession.

The visitors were also drawn to stalls selling toys, warm shawls and other objects. The festival was attended by people from both Sindh and the Punjab.

The poetry recital was attended by many poets, including Hazoor Din Hazoori, Hakim Sanjarpuri, Zainul Abideen, Basheer Ahmad Mahar, Tanveer Shaikh, Budhal Chacha and Shahnawaz Jani Khosa.

Poet Hakim Sanjarpuri told The Express Tribune that he had been attending the festival since he was a child.

Poet Hazoor Din Hazoori said many people come to make a wish and tie a red fabric to a tree at the tomb. “When their wish is fulfilled, they come here, untie the fabric and distribute food among people.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 18^th, 2012.