Suraiya Multanikar

Besides being a classical vocalist of repute, Suraiya Multanikar has also won wide admiration for other forms of Pakistan’s melodic tradition, including kafis of the mystic poet Khawaja Ghulam Farid. There is an edge to her voice which has come to be recognized as her hallmark. She also sang few film songs, most popular being the mujra song for Badnaam (1966), composed by Deebo Bhattacharya and picturized on Nabeela.

She won the Pride of Performance medal in 1986.

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Khari daindie haan – Genre – Folk – Lyricist – Traditional – Music – Traditional

Allah jaaney tey yaar na jaaney - Genre – Folk – Lyricist – Traditional – Music – Traditional

Aj werrha piya bhanda aey - Genre – Folk – Lyricist – Khwaja Ghulam Farid – Music – Bari Khan

Mai Bhaggi

A legendary folk singer from Tharparkar in Sindh, Mai Bhaggi dominated the traditional music scene until her death in the 1970s. She was a popular radio and TV performer and her renditions of traditional tunes from the desert areas of Thar were acclaimed not only in Sindh but all over Pakistan.

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Kharri neem ke neechey – Lyrics – Traditional – Music – Traditional

Kheyal Muhammad

Born in Peshawar, he is a well known Pushto folk singer and a competent practitioner of other lighter forms. His popularity is the greatest in the Pushtun heartland, but he is also liked, thanks to TV and radio, in other parts of Pakistan. He was awarded the Pride of Performance medal in 1982.

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We kheyali jana na – Lyrics – Traditional – Music – Rahdat Hussain

Tufail Niazi

Tufail Niazi was an accomplished performer whose popularity as a folk singer soared after the introduction of TV in Pakistan in 1964. He was a highly gifted performer who could render a whole range of light classical music forms. His versatility and his sweet and husky voice could transport any audience to a state of near ecstasy. He was awarded the Pride of Performance in 1990 and died the same year.

Performance in 1990 and died the same year.

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Mai nai jana – Lyrics – Traditional – Music - Traditional

Alam Lohar

Born in 1927, Alam Lohar was easily the most popular folk singer of his time in Punjab which he toured extensively performing at festivals and traveling theatres. With the advent of TV in Pakistan in 1964, he gained a much wider following. He died in 1981, the same year in which he was given the Pride of Performance award.

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Turday mirzay jat- Lyrics – Qissa Mirza Shiban – Music – Traditional

Way din charrney tay – Lyrics – Traditional – Music – Traditional

Too jeevain bairiwaleya – Lyrics – Qissa Dhol Sammi – Music – Traditional