A Tribute Function Held On The Occasion Of The First Anniversary Of World Renowned Punjabi Folk Singer Shaukat Ali.

Chetna Prakashan, Gulati Publishers Surrey (Canada), Punjabi Sahitya Akademi Ludhiana, Punjabi Lok Virasat Academy and Vision of Punjab jointly organized a function to mark the first anniversary of world renowned Punjabi folk singer Shaukat Ali. Dr. Guriqbal Singh, General Secretary, Punjabi Sahitya Akademi, Ludhiana, while conducting the forum, said that we have been listening to the songs of Shaukat Ali ji since our youth. He sang for almost 55 years. The musical journey that began in 1960 ended last year.He was also a singer and song writer. Shaukat Ali, the author of two song books, was a very polite man.

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Welcoming the writers, artists and intellectuals present at the Shaukat Ali tribute function, Satish Gulati said that inspired by Iqbal Mahal,ten years ago he had published the first collection of songs ‘Hanjhuan de Alhnei’ .His loving demeanor makes me happy even today when he embraced me at GGN Khalsa College Ludhiana and accepted me and my publication. Their departure marks the end of a melody age.

Eminent folk singer Surinder Chhinda expressed his sentiments saying that he was both my unseen teacher and a great hero. The privilege of sharing the stage with them in USA, Canada and UK still refreshes the soul.

Iqbal Mahal Sahib, the director of Visions of Punjab, Toronto and having a brotherly relationship with Mr. Shaukat Ali Sahib for almost forty years, said that Shaukat Ali was a perfect artist who taught singing to singers of both the countries. His strong voice will pierce the souls forever. In Toronto, he was always at my house family member .

Prof. Gurbhajan Singh Gill, Chairman, Punjabi Lok Virasat Academy, Ludhiana said ,  “Shaukat Ali Sahib was one of the towering towers of Punjabi folk music. He first met him at the Attari railway station in 1996, where he first visited Punjab with Inayat Hussain Bhatti, Reshma and Akram Rahi quite after a period of time. I am proud to accompany Mr. Jagdev Singh Jassowal to visit Darbar Sahib after welcoming with sprinkling of the oil and give them sweet jaggery to these great artists.

All these artists performed ‘Awal Allah Noor Upaaia Kudrat De Sab Bandei’ in the information center of Darbar Sahib to make everybody impressed .In 1997, I along with  my wife Jaswinder and friend Jaswinder Singh Baliewal met his family at his home in Krishan Nagar, Lahore.He came to Ludhiana with his son at the wedding of the present Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Bhagwant Singh Mann. Shaukat Bhaji’s son Mohsin Ali was customary ‘Sarwala’ in this marriage. Later he also came with Mohsin for a musical evening at GGN Khalsa College Ludhiana at the invitation of Harbhajan Mann and Bhagwant Mann. Here, Prof. Pirthipal Singh Kapoor and Dr. SP Singh and Prof. Gunwant Singh Dua Ji conducted a wonderful function in their honor. Pirthipal Singh Batala and K. Vijay Verma, Advocate invited Shaukat Ali and his son Mohsin to a special banquet at the Marriott Hotel and invited prominent citizens  of the city.

Jalandhar based singer Dr. Sukhnain said at the behest of Iqbal Mahal he felt honored when  he got opportunity to share stage with Shaukat Ali Sahib in Toronto, Winnipeg and some other Canadian cities. He was a great singer who lived the music and whose songs speak of our heritage.

Toronto-based journalist Satbir Singh Sidhu asked the Ludhiana based writers, artists and Punjabi Lok Virasat Akademi to make a concerted effort to preserve the memory of Shaukat Ali by document this by writing their memoirs . They will pay for all expenses.

On this occasion a condolence message sent by Shaukat Ali’s favorite folk singer Harbhajan Mann through Iqbal was also recited in his voice.Praising the artist Manjit Singh Gill Ghall Kalan of Moga district said that the statue of Shaukat Ali ji has been made by him and installed in Desh Bhagat Park which is a expression of tributes to shakuat’s great devotion.

Prominent folk singers Surinder Shinda, Dr.Sukhnain and Randhir Kanwal performed selected songs of Shaukat Ali.Prominent writer and former president of Punjabi Sahitya Akademi Prof. Ravinder Singh Bhattal, eminent Punjabi filmmaker DP Arshi Surrey (Canada), Tarlochan Singh playwright, folk singer Rajinder Malhar, Balkaur Singh Gill, Satbir Singh Sidhu Toronto, Amarjit Sherpuri, Sarabjit Virdi were also present on the occasion. Gurdas Kaira, Budh Singh Neelon, Gurpreet Singh Madpuri, Singer MS Sethi, Jagsharan Singh Chhina, Sumit Gulati and many other music lovers also marked their presence .