54
THATTA: The frail memory of music lovers had forgotten a voice once they cherished to the depth of their souls.
A sought-after singer now sings in same high-pitched voice but with a begging bowl. Though, her voice had not lost its charm but perhaps her age has.Zeenat Shaikh, a renowned folk singer of yester-year can be seen loitering on Thatta streets with a faint hope of seeking alms.
It's heart-rending to see this old genre, who once ruled the hearts of Sindhi and Seraika music lovers with her melodious voice, walking barefoot and carrying a begging-bowl.
Zeenat's parents were famous folk singers of their time – Fatima Shaikh and Khan Saheb Saleh Mohammad Shaikh. She was born in 1940 in Mirpur Bathoro – a town known as a hub of art and culture.
She not only inherited the singing genes from her parents but was brought up in a similar environment.
It was because of hereditary and environmental factors that she took up the singing from the age of 10, while accompanying her mother at ceremonies and to Radio Pakistans Hyderabad station.
Zeenat spent a long period as her mother's co-singer and finally at the age of 20, she began giving solo performance on radio and at wedding ceremonies and gained fame among her audience. She has two audio albums to her credit.
She also did a role in a PTV play “Mai Kalachi” based on Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai's Sur Ghaatu. Later Zeenat acted in playwright Abdul Qadir Junejo's drama serial Rani Ji Kahani which afterwards was presented in Urdu titled 'Deewarain' and a play of Noorul Huda Shah titled 'Jungle.'
She began getting less work as age progressed and trends changed at TV and radio. A time came when people forgot her and she became a lonely soul.
Her life partner was a Tabla player (percussionist) who left her in this world. She has only a son working at a roadside eatery in Mirpur Sakro who is not able to support his mother.
Zeenat Shaikh lives in a thatched hut, adjacent to the Otaq (guest house) of former MPA, Ghulam Qadir Palijo and father of Sindh Minister of Culture Sassui Palijo, in Abbasi Muhalla of Thatta since the last three decades when the family migrated from Mirpur Bathoro.
The Culture Department recently organised a concert of folk artistes near her hut but totally ignored the aged artiste.
It's a pity that a folk singer is seen begging on streets of Thatta and Makli from dawn to dusk though all, including the culture minister are aware of her miserable condition. The Culture Department too, is not bothered to define an honourable way of living for her. Dawn
The teary-eyed artiste told though she made several attempts to draw the attention of Culture Minister Sassui Palijo but to no avail.
Besides the culture minister, provincial secretary and director-general of the culture department hail from Thatta district but none paid any heed to address the problems of Zeenat Shaikh.
Tabla players Khamiso Chandio, Baaley Khan, and singers Allah Dino Khaskheli and Khamoon Jogi said Zeenat Shaikh had been an asset. They said that her voice is still as fresh but is waiting for the attention of TV channels and radio stations to provide her with a chance.
Latest update
Jan 12: The adage 'better be late than never' fits fine in the case of the forlorn folk singer whose despondency appears to be coming to an end after the pouring in of sympathies both in cash and kind.
The federal ministry of information came into action, the moment it learnt about the miserable condition of the forgotten folk singer and TV artist Zeenat Shaikh.
The ministry has in principle decided a lifetime grant of Rs10,000 for the artist but its announcement would be made only after arranging an evening at the Radio Pakistan Hyderabad Station with Zeenat Shaikh on coming Saturday.
Director General, Radio Pakistan, Murtaza Solangi told Dawn that the announcement would be made gracefully and in recognition to meritorious service of Thatta-based folk singer.
Mr Solangi said that he was moved by the story published in Dawn depicting the miserable conditions a vibrant artist of yesteryears was forced to pass through due to the apathy of the society.
This correspondent acted as a mediator between the DG Radio Pakistan and the artist when the former invited the latter to attend an evening which was being arranged in her honour.
Mr Solangi said that Radio Pakistan was not oblivion to the state of its aged artists as it was providing grant in aid to famed classical singer Ustad Shagan and folk singer Gul Bahar Faqir, affiliated with Khairpur Radio Station.
Station Director, Radio Pakistan, Hyderabad, Naseer Mirza also talked with the artist Zeenat Shaikh who regrettably was begging on Thatta streets to eek out a living. Arranging an evening with the artist was meant to uphold the social status, dignity and honour of Zeenat Shaikh who unfortunately was a prey to circumstances.
Naseer Mirza personally visited her thatched hut on Wednesday to deliver the invitation. He also recorded an hour-long interview of Zeenat Shaikh which would be aired on Thursday by Radio Pakistan Hyderabad.
The chief guest of the evening would be Federal Minister for Culture Pir Aftab Shah.
DCO Mohammad Jaffar said that the district government had also earmarked a handsome amount for the artiste.
A philanthropist from Karachi had also announced lifetime monthly payment of Rs1,000 per month to Zeenat Sheikh.
It's a tragedy that a number of public and private circles took interest in the condition of artist sans the Sindh Culture Department.
