Shazia Khushk
Miss Folk!
(The Magazine
MAG Pakistan)
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A
few years back a Balochi folk song; Dane Pe Dana sung by Shazia
Khushk was broadcast from PTV. It was an instant hit. It’s
an ancient folk song and has been performed in various styles,
but the way Shazia Khushk rendered it in her novel style was something
really endearing. Shazia’s hallmark is the classical traditional
dresses which she often slips into. Not many people know that
the singer is also an elegant conversationalist. Reason being
her educated background. In 2001 she obtained a Master’s
Degree in Literature from the Sindh University. Recently Sufiyan
Nasir Khan caught up with her and had a brief interview. Here
are the excerpts.
You
have stopped wearing traditional dresses of late. Any special
reasons?
There is noting special about it. In fact, in interior Sindh and
Punjab and during my recent visits abroad my fans have appreciated
my lately acquired dress sense. Some have gone as far as to comment
that I look more beautiful in them.
Weren’t
the dresses meant to distinguish you from the other folk singers?
I don’t think so. My real talent doesn’t depend on
it.
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What
kind of activities are you involved in nowadays?
I am working on a new album that is going to be released soon. An outstanding
feature of the album is that it has some tremendous sufi songs on it.
There are fourteen numbers in Siraeiki Punjabi and Urdu. Among the poets
whose kalam has been taken are Tahir Saqi, Naveed Shahzad and Sachal
Surmast. This album will be released on Eid-ul-Fitr. Ten of my albums
have already been released.
Is
it true that you accidentally became a singer?
It is not so. I have been fond of singing since childhood. My father
was a university professor and was very fond of ghazals, but we were
never allowed to sing. When I was in 9th grade, I got married to Ibrahim
Khushk who’s into music and encouraged me a lot of to sing. During
that period T.V producer Sultana Siddiqui took my audition. I recorded
a song Urta Pakheru with her. It was an instant hit and so was I.
In
how many languages you so far sung?
I have sung in many languages, including Siraeki, Punjabi, Balochi,
Pushto, Kashmiri, Urdu and Gojri.
Will
you make a video of your songs this time?
I have been considering it for quite some time.
How
has been your experience with Pakistani films?
I have recorded for Khandan, Munda Bigra Jaye and Pranda, but I couldn’t
live in Lahore permanently.
In
how many countries have you performed?
America, Britain, Japan, Sri Lanka, France, Holland, Emirates and Turkmenistan.
As far as awards are concerned, I have been given an award in Japan.
Then in 1998, the American Centre awarded me for best performance in
the world of music. Also a Japanese TV channel has prepared a documentary
about my life. Adding to that, the Sindh University has awarded me with
a fellowship in music, the first ever to be bestowed upon a Pakistani
lady.
What is, in your view, the standard of
music in Pakistan?
There is a lot of talent in Pakistan. All we need is to encourage new
comers.
(By
Sufyan Nasir Khan)
