In Peshawar, artists have urged the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to posthumously honour two recently deceased folk musicians, Farooq Ustad and Khalid Malik Haider, whose contributions to Pashto and Urdu music were remembered at a gathering this week.
The Hunari Tolana Welfare Society organised a reference on Sunday at a local music studio where participants paid tribute to the two composers, both of whom died in the past week following health complications. Speakers described them as central figures in the evolution of folk music in the region, credited with creating original works that reflected cultural and social themes while inspiring younger generations.
Dr Rashid Ahmad Khan, chief of the Hunari Tolana Welfare Society, told the gathering that both artists had played a significant role in promoting folk traditions at the provincial and national levels. He said their contributions to radio, television and film had been immense, though often underappreciated. Despite living quietly, both composers trained many vocalists and instrumentalists and introduced new tunes to folk symphonies.
Senior folk artist Ahmad Gul Ustad highlighted Farooq Ustad’s training with the Patiala Gharana and his ability to combine classical techniques with modern Pashto music. Known also by the name Gul Ji, Farooq Ustad was born in 1948 and spent parts of his career in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including serving as a music master at Fazle Haq College in Mardan. Colleagues and admirers remembered him as both a composer and singer with a velvety voice and a talent for weaving poetry into song.
Fazal Wahab Dard, a vocalist, said Farooq Ustad’s work carried mastery over all shades of Pashto folk music, adding that his humility and artistry had earned him wide respect.
The reference also commemorated Khalid Malik Haider, born in 1945, who passed away recently at his residence in Peshawar. In addition to his music direction, he was the author of three Urdu books on music, Sur Bahar, Sur Singhaar and Mosiki ki Pehli Kitab. Attendees said his writings would continue to guide new musicians, while his compositions had been appreciated well beyond Pakistan.
Participants called the deaths of the two musicians a major loss for the world of folk music. They urged the provincial culture department to recognise their lifelong service by awarding them posthumous commendations and certificates.
