PESHAWAR: In an event conducted by the Music Welfare Society (MWS) at Nishatarabad, Peshawar here on Monday, artists and performers gathered to demand their due rights and vowed to use music to redress social issues.
The participants passed a unanimous resolution demanding the KP government to probe into the alleged misappropriation of funds in the Hunar Mela, held recently under the auspices of the Tourism Cooperation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP) in Peshawar.
Young singer, Rashid Khan said that the concerned authorities should look into the matter so that the rights of local artists could be safeguarded. He also questioned why artists from Punjab were invited to perform in Peshawar while local talent was being ignored.
Fitrat Buneri, a noted young Pashto poet, said that Pashto music was not limited to those hailing from music families but included well-qualified singers.
The artists further pledged to arrange events and raise funds for not only the welfare of poor artists but also their children’s education and healthcare. They also recognised their responsibility in using their talent to educate the youth and prevent them from engaging in anti-social behaviour.
Chief of the MWS, Zahir Shah, said that he and his artist fraternity founded the MWS for the welfare of musicians, but despite that, many artists are in a poor condition and need help.
Young singer Sarfaraz Khan said that music can serve a social function and can be used for peace and education, and create awareness about drug abuse and the environment. He said that unfortunately, cultural activities including music shows were equated with other immoral and unhealthy habits common among youth. “We need to change this perception. We are against all kinds of obscenity, vulgarity and immoral activities being done in the name of art”.
Senior Pashto folk singer Gul Sharaf Ustad, while chairing the event said that artists, performers and singers should unite for their rights and contribute to the welfare of their community. He regretted that services of the artists were not acknowledged owing to a bias against their work and art in general.
Waheed Achakzai in his remarks said that artists should forge unity among their ranks. He said that senior artists should come forward to present art as a strong platform for positive change.
Walidad Ustad said that artists are inherently peaceful and could only spread the message of love and humanism.
Jahangir, senior vice-president of MWS, Ashraf Gular, Tariq Bacha, Inam, and Farhad also spoke at the gathering.
