Tribute paid to Pashto folk singer Fazl-e-Rabbi Ustad

 MARDAN: Speakers at a function on Monday eulogised services of late Fazl-e-Rabbi Ustad for Pashto music and termed him master of folk music.

Lasoona Welfare Organization (LWO) in collaboration with the Culture Directorate of the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had organised the function at the Mardan Press Club.

The function was arranged under the Revival of Indigenous Cultural Heritage (RICH) Project. Mohammad Saeed Saeed, a local poet, pledged that he would publish a book on the life and work of Fazl-e-Rabbi Ustad (1930-2004). 

Speakers praised him for his contributions to Pashto folk music. Noted music expert and former station director Radio Pakistan, Peshawar Nisar Mohammad Khan, was chief guest.

Nisar Mohammad Khan during his speech said that legends like Fazl-e-Rabbi Ustad should be honoured. He said he had mastery over every genre of Pashto folk music. He said Fazl-e- Rabbi had learned playing sitar in one week and could also play rubab and harmonium.

Qasim Gul Baba, a senior folk singer, shared his fond memories of late Fazl-e-Rabbi Ustad. His velvety voice could be distinguished among hundreds of other popular Pashto folk singers of his time,” he recalled.

Music composer, Nazeer Gul in his remarks pointed out that Fazl-e-Rabbi  had a melodious voice and could register a magical impact on the listeners. “Several folk songs sung by ustad were still on lips of his fans,” he said. 

Jahangir Khan, chief of Lasoona Welfare Organization (LWO), said his organisation would continue conducting such events to pay tribute to legendary singers and artistes. He said that he received great public response for arranging cultural activities.

Professor Abaseen Yousafzai on the occasion said that Fazl-e-Rabbi had memorized around 1,500 tapas and could utter them flawlessly. He said ustad was well versed with Arabic and could sing long narrative poems including Gul ao Sanubar, Yousaf Khan ao Sheharbanu and many other popular folk numbers.

Miskeen Jan, elder son of the ustad, told participants that his father shot to fame when his voice was aired on Radio Pakistan in early 60s.  He said ustad had good command over rhythm, composition and tune.

Akbar Hoti, a young lawyer, radio presenter and poet, narrated that credit went to Fazl-e-Rabbi Ustad as our grand- parents were able to memorize a major chunk of our folk literature.

Fazl-e-Rabbi had 450 audio albums to his credit and was the recipient of numerous awards for contributions to Pashto folk music. Sher Alam Mamoonai a narrative folk poem sung by him inspired education experts in KP to include it in school and college syllabi as it carried a strong lesson regarding honour killing. 

Born in 1930 in Toru Mardan, Fazl-e-Rabbi Ustad had a natural talent for singing and launched his career in music despite family restrictions in 1962. Irfan Kamal, younger son of late Fazl-e-Rabbi Ustad, said that he was thankful for arranging such an event to honour the music legend.Later, he sang popular numbers of Fazl-e-Rabbi Ustad and received a round of applause from the audience.