ISLAMABAD: Fans from all walks of life, including Lollywood celebrities, paid glowing tributes to the legendary Sufi and folk singer Alam Lohar on the occasion of his 44th death anniversary.
Through various media platforms, they honoured his unforgettable contributions to the entertainment industry.
Alam Lohar, born in the village of Aaj Koch in Gujarat in 1928, started singing at a young age. In fact, he recorded his first album at the age of 13. However, it was his unique musical instrument, the chimta, that garnered him significant attention. No other singer in Pakistan had used this instrument before, making Alam a household name across the country.
During the early years of his career, the renowned Jugni hitmaker formed his own musical and theatre group. He performed at various festivals and shrines, showcasing his focus on singing Sufi poetry and verses written by saints.
His voice lent itself to popular works such as Saiful Mulook, Boliyan, Tapy, Punjabi Dhory, and Mahiya, as well as folk tales like Heer Ranjha, Mirza Sahibaan, Sohni Mahiwal, and Shireen Farhad.
Alam’s popularity soared as he traveled across Punjab, delivering performances in different cities every night. Songs like Jugni, Dilwala Dukhra, and Waja Mariyan continue to be cherished by fans throughout the province. In recognition of his remarkable contributions, the government of Pakistan honoured him with the Pride of Performance award in 1979.
Alam Lohar’s untimely death in a road accident on July 3, 1979, marked the end of the golden era of Punjabi folk music. Though Arif, his son, has made efforts to carry on his father’s legacy, Alam’s passing remains a significant loss to the music industry.
He was laid to rest in Lalamusa, leaving behind a lasting impact on the folk music landscape of Pakistan.
