Actresses Romana and Nimmi were seen begging on the streets by people in their last days. A few days prior to her death, Romana was seen begging in the streets of Lahore and at the Lahore railway station. She suffered from different diseases but, in the end, she reportedly died of starvationOver the years, many artists of fame have left us, leaving behind immortal and memorable works of art and culture coupled with painful memories of how we treated them before they left this world in extreme poverty and pain. Though with the changing times and the commercialisation of the entertainment industry, the new artists, singers, actors and individuals associated with this medium have made fortunes, however, a majority of them seem to be struggling on their own with neither any hope nor any energy left in them to continue their creativity, which demands a specific environment for its nourishment and sustainability. To add to it, there are no private or public institutions for their welfare.
Pathanay Khan was a great Seraiki folk singer. He sang mostly kafis or ghazals, which were largely based on the Sufi poetry of Khwaja Ghulam Farid and Shah Hussain. He was the recipient of the President’s Pride of Performance Award. We still remember him with his eyes shut, lips quivering and fingers fluttering majestically as he used to sing Meda Ishq Vi Toon (you are my love) in his heavenly, unmatched voice. Pathanay Khan died after a protracted illness in his native town of Kot Addu on March 9, 2000. He led a miserable life as he was unable to earn for his family due to his illness.
Ustad Muhammad Juman was a modern Sindhi musician and a classical singer. He was born in the village of Sorra, Balochistan. He became well-known everywhere after performing the Siraiki kafi, Yaar Dadhi Ishq Atish Lai Hai (the intensity of your love has lit a fire). Juman was awarded a Bedil Award, Gold Award, Saga Award, Latif Award and, in 1980, the Tamgha-e-Husn-e-Karkerdigi by the government of Pakistan. Juman died on January 24, 1990 in Karachi in extreme poverty and total helplessness.
Many artistes’ stories have ended in similar tragedy as they lived in abject poverty and died without getting help from any quarter. The actors and actresses Romana, Nimmi, Zakir Ali Khan, Sudheer, Mazhar Shah, Pervaiz Mehdi, Jaggi Malik and Adeeb suffered in their later years. Romana and Nimmi were seen begging on the streets by people in their last days. A few days prior to her death, Romana was seen begging in the streets of Lahore and at the Lahore railway station. She suffered from different diseases but, in the end, she reportedly died of starvation.
Ustad Zakir Ali Khan, brother of Ustad Salamat Ali Khan, passed away in abject poverty some years ago. He continued to wait for days on end for his few meagre cheques to clear. During his last days, he would visit the offices of the Arts Council and its allied institutions seeking help, as he was also suffering from multiple diseases. He passed away in grief and disbelief that it was possible no one had come to his help considering his contributions in the field of music.
Singers and musicians from different gharanas (families) like Sham Churasi, Gwalior, Patiala and others devoted their lives to traditional music. Nobody promotes traditional music now as neither PTV nor the new channels are interested in promoting it. Hundreds of singers and musicians associated with classical music have left their profession in search of a livelihood to make both ends meet.
We have recently lost Moeen Akhter, Babu Baral, Liaqat Soldier and Mastana. Their deaths have brought an end to a glorious era whereas these legends gave so much to the people through their persistence, dedication and hard work. Their plight has not ended yet for we have legends still living among us like Mehdi Hassan, Reshma, Ali Ijaz, Roohi Bano, Humayun Qureshi, Alamgir and Afzaal Ahmed, who are all suffering in one way or another.
What our government needs to realise is that a few thousand rupee cheques and the presentation of bouquets amidst the flashing of camera lights for cosmetic glorification will neither bring any hope nor a smile to the faces of these tormented souls who have given whatever they had in themselves for our country. It is time to honour these great human beings or else their end will not be much different from that of those who left us before, with a few tears shed on the electronic media before their fading away in the pages of history forever.
The writer is a social activist. He can be reached at drirfanzafar@gmail.com
Source : http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011\04\29\story_29-4-2011_pg3_3
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