PESHAWAR: Close relatives and friends of senior Pashto folk singer Gulzar Alam have confirmed that he along with his family members had left Peshawar for Kabul via Torkham almost two months ago owing to his poor financial condition and alleged philistine attitude of culture department.

Sources in Peshawar privy to the famed singer told this scribe that Mr Alam was in contact with Kabul authorities to change his residence status in search of better opportunities in a war-ravaged country.

They said he was fed up with his miserable position in Peshawar caused by what he called unresponsive and heartless attitude of the KP cultural institutions towards him and his art.

A close friend of Mr Alam, claiming anonymity, told this scribe that he had gone to Kabul on a six-month visa and was yet to decide regarding changing of his residence status. He said that being a volatile tempered, Mr Alam could decide anything anytime but currently unclear on his future plans.

Rahmat Shah Sail, a senior progressive Pashto poet, said that although the decision of the popular singer saddened him yet it seemed genuine due to unfavourable environment for artists, singers and even literati. He said that Pakhtuns couldn’t afford to lose great artists like Gulzar Alam.

“Gulzar Alam has not discussed his shifting issue with me. Unfortunately, Pakhtuns in general give little heed to art and artists. Afghans would create a space for him at least to sustain his life with honour as we deem Kabul our second home,” said Mr Sail.

Some the artists, music-buffs, civil society and fans of Gulzar Alam termed his decision unwise while some supported his move on the ground that he had the right to take any step if it could benefit him and his family and help flourish his art.

Gulzar Alam shot to fame in the early 80s for singing revolutionary songs in his velvety voice.

He suffered many ups and downs in his music career. His contribution to Pashto music is immense.

During the Mutahidda Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) government in the province, he had shifted to Quetta where he used to live with his in-laws for three years. He returned after formation of ANP government in the province.

“Gulzar Alam like other artists and singers in KP was disheartened and had lost confidence in the so-called institutions. He had been thinking over this option since long. Respect and a humble life is all for an artist. We failed to give him the respect, he deserved,” said Rashid Khan, a young singer.

He said that financial constraints and public indifference forced him to shift to Kabul.

Prof Khadim Hussain, an expert on Afghan affairs, told this scribe that art should be linked to sustainable human development.

He regretted that their society was yet to accept art and artists and Gulzar Alam was one of numerous others in the region who would continue to suffer for not being able to market themselves and also at the hands of their philistinism.

Young artist Karan Khan said that the attitude of government and people at large in Kabul towards artists was not different but still Mr Alam’s step to find favour for himself there might not yield good results.

He said that artists should keep in mind ground realities and should not bank on people’s support alone.

Shafeeq Giyani, a social activist, said that artists should have a social security because most artists and singers suffered in their old age. He said that Mr Alam shifting seemed to have stemmed out of his poor financial condition.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2017