Ustad Muhammad Juman (10 October 1935 – 24 January 1990) was a modern Sindhi musician and classical singer.He was born in the village of Sorra, Balochistan, Pakistan.
He was fond of music and went to Radio Pakistan in Karachi to start a career as a fiddler. There, it was suggested to him that he sing, resulting in his starting a program on Radio Pakistan in Hyderabad.He received his music education from Ustad Nazir Hussain and Bary Waheed Ali Khan, experienced in Bhittai’s Sur. He became very famous when he sang “Munhjo Mulk Maleer” for the film Umar Marvi. He became well-known everywhere after performing the Siraiki Kafi “Yaar Dadhi Ishq Atish Lai Hai”. He also sang Mir Sikandar Khan Khoso’s kafis “Ishq munjhon izhar thee ayo” and “Kech Punhal day hal kahay hal” at Radio Pakistan. Juman’s son, Shafi Muhammad, also followed his style of kafi singing.[clarification needed][2]
Juman was awarded a Bedil Award, Gold Award, Saga Award, and Latif Award, and, in 1980, the Tamgha-e-Husn-e-Karkerdigi by the Pakistani government.
Tag: Folk singer
Lohar, whose 31st death anniversary is being commemorated this week, is considered to be one of the leading icons of folk music in Pakistan, and has sung Waris Shah’s folk tale Heer in 36 different ways. Alam died in an accident on July 3, 1979 and was laid to rest in Lala Musa. Alam Lohar’s childhood was spent singing Sufi poetry at local gatherings in his village. Gradually he emerged as a great singer who managed to hold his audience captive.
Alam Lohar’s legacy continues through his son Arif Lohar, who has kept both the chimta and jugni alive.
Remembering his father, Arif told Express News, “‘Jugni’ is my father’s discovery. Except for the first ten days of Muharram, he dedicated all his time to music which is a world record in itself.”
Arif, whose rendition of “Jugni” is also extremely popular says, “I wish some organisation or hall would be named after him.”
The younger Lohar spoke at length about his father’s trademark instrument, the chimta. Introduced as a unique musical instrument, the chimta soon became the identity of both father and son.
Alam Lohar was gifted with a melodic voice and hit high notes with a varying pitch, but his memorable performances with a chimta became his trademark. Alam did not solely rely on the works of Sufi poets and composed the lyrics for many of his own songs.
However, Arif Lohar is often forced to do impromptu performances at airports with the chimta.
“The chimta is not a weapon,” he says. “But since 9/11, I face difficulties in getting it cleared by airport security and sometimes have to convince the foreign staff that it is an instrument by doing a live performance at the airport.”
Many music enthusiasts have been curious about the meaning of ‘jugni’. Arif explained what the word means to him, “Jugni is the conscience of one’s soul. Jugni is a message of peace across the globe.”
Arif, who has worked in a few Lollywood movies, is making a comeback after a decade. “I’m playing the male lead opposite Saima in Syed Noor’s film Jugni Nachdi Ae,” he told Express News.
Allan Faqir a Pakistani folk singer is a legendary and one of the foremost exponents of sufi music in Pakistan. He is particularly known for his ecstatic style of performance marked with extreme devotional rhetoric and sufi dance singing. His peculiarly funny body language and distinctively pleasing facial expressions marked with a broad smile, were always amusing for his audience at live performances.