A window to folk culture of Jhang

Charanjit Singh Teja

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Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 7

“Nain na Rehnde Takno”, songs of Jhang region of Punjab, Pakistan, collected and compiled by Professor Saeed Bhutta, from Panjab University, Lahore, were released in Gurumukhi Script at Punjabi Bhawan. Saeed Bhutta wrote in Sahmukhi which was translated in Gurmukhi by Prem Singh Bajaj.

Professor Saeed Bhutta collected these folk songs from Jhang region of Punjab province of Pakistan. There are several songs equally popular in East Punjab and sung by popular folk singers such as “Ik Phul Motiye Da” by Arif Lohar.

Butta is well known for his work to preserve the oral history including folk songs, folk tales, folk traditions, folk knowledge traditions, language, dialects and accents.

On release of the translated edition of the book, Gurbhajan Singh Gill, former president Punjabi Sahit Akademi said, “Bhutta did a wonderful work to preserve the oral history of Punjab. There is barrier of script between the Punjabis on both sides of the border. Punjabi Sahit Akademi decided to provide such valuable books to readers of Gurmukhi. I congratulate the Punjabi Sahit Akademi for this effort.”

Dr Sukhdev Singh Sirsa, president, Punjabi Sahit Akademi said, “Saeed Bhutta born and brought up in Jhang region of Punjab. He is deeply rooted in folklore, tradition and culture. Despite residing in Lahore he is working on folklore like a Sufi saint. His contribution for recording the folk tales and folk songs of Punjab is very valuable for all the Punjabis. The residents of east Punjab now have the opportunity to read the songs of Jhangregion.”