Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: In a befitting tribute to one of the Baloch folk artists, the Lok Virsa on Monday named a recently renovated boardroom after singer Hani Baloch, to acknowledge her contribution to Baloch folk music.

According to the background information provided at the ceremony, Hani Baloch was born in Balochistan in 1915. Hani Baloch was known for singing Ladok, Nazok and devotional songs in weddings and important celebrations. It was in 1955 that she joined Radio Pakistan and earned mainstream recognition by performing with other famous singers of the time.

Lok Virsa previously also memorialised three of its halls after the names of well-known female singers like Zarsanga from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mai Bhagi from Sindh and Bali Jatti from Punjab. This latest one also follows inauguration of several important facilities at the institute, after revamping and refurbishing of old blocks, such as the inauguration of Faiz Heritage Library, Bali Jatti Rooftop Theatre, Heritage Shop, Lok Khaba and Sharbat Point.

Lok Virsa Executive Director Dr Fouzia Saeed said: “It is unfortunate that women are disappearing from folk music. Lok Virsa is making every possible effort to provide an enabling environment so that the mantle of folk music is transferred to the new generation.”

She added, “This is a tribute to the services of Hani Baloch, which she gave to the folk music of Balochistan for more than three decades, entertaining millions not only in Pakistan but across the world.”

Renowned Baloch musician and Benjoo player Ustad Taj Muhammad Tajal, who attended the ceremony as a special guest while praising the efforts of Lok Virsa in honouring the fabulous folk artists of country in such a beautiful manner, said the way Lok Virsa is paying tribute to legends of folk industry by naming its halls and boardroom after their name can never be forgotten.

“This is the best way to make your new generation familiar with such great folk singers as this create curiosity among our current generation to know about them,” Ustaad Taj Muhammad Tajal maintained.

Hani Baloch Boardroom is incorporated within the research and publications wing to facilitate it and also to serve a larger purpose as all official meetings of Lok Virsa will be held here. The interior of the boardroom is artfully decorated with portraits of former Executive Directors of Lok Virsa. It can accommodate up to 35 people altogether for a multimedia presentation.

Published in Daily Times, January 16^th 2018.