Karachi: Mai Bhagi, Renowned as the Cuckoo of Sindhi and Marwari Folk Songs, Mai Bhagi was born around 1920 in Diplo, in the home of Wanhel Faqir and Mai Khadija, also known as Kasi Bai. She began singing Dhātki, Marwari, and Sindhi folk songs and ballads in her childhood, alongside her mother; thus, her first teachers in melody were her parents. She received formal training in raag from her father. She was influenced by her father, Ustad Muhammad Jaman, and Ustad Hussain Faqir.
She was married at the age of fifteen and subsequently moved to and settled in Mithi. Mai Bhagi’s voice possessed a natural, heartfelt passion, and she sang hundreds of folk songs, only some of which could be recorded. Among her most famous folk songs are:
- Bhat Ja Bhatai, Bhat Te Wasain Noor, Manjhjon Tu Pajayun
- Saman Sain Man To Goli Ghulam Tanja Dar Ji, Matiyun Bharindais Man Sen, Diliyun Bharindas Dil Sen
- Khadi Neem Ke Neechi, Hun Tu Heekali
- Aei Charmili Ro Biali Sen Pyar
- Taran Maan Tarandi Achi, Lorhan Maan Larhindi Achi, O Dil Barochal Barochal Pai Kari
- Monki Jogi Hani Dhe Dharo, Manjho Kangal Ahe Qurb Waro, etc.
Mai Bhagi was first introduced as an artist at the Mari Fair in Bhalwa in 1967, which was organized through the efforts of Mir Muhammad Bakhsh Talpur. On the night of Chandoki, when the melodies of her folk song “Taran Maan Tarandi Achi, Lorhan Maan Larhindi Achi, O Dil, Barochal Barochal Pai Kari” echoed through the hills of Bhalwa, the listeners were utterly captivated and enthralled.
Mai Bhagi later appeared on Radio Hyderabad. She was introduced on Pakistan Television by the respected Abdul Karim Buledi, where she first recorded a Marwari song, “Khadi Neem Ke Neechi, Hun Tan Heekali.” The recognition for Mai Bhagi’s art transcended the boundaries of Sindh and Pakistan, reaching India and the world. Her rendition of ‘Khadi Neem Ke Neechi’ gained great fame, even reaching the Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Her folk songs continue to be broadcast on the All India Radio Sindhi Service to this day.
The former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, appreciating her talent, awarded her 60 acres of land. However, this land was lost to poverty, and her condition remained as precarious as described in the saying, “Aanin ain Charhin, Dith Dahari Soomra” (a phrase illustrating extreme poverty and struggle).
Mai Bhagi sang thousands of folk songs in Marwari, Dhātki, Gujarati, Hindi, Seraiki, and Sindhi. In addition, she also sang the poetry of Shah Latif, Bhagat Kabir, Manthar Faqir, Hamal Faqir, and other Sufi poets.
The people of Sindh held Mai Bhagi in high esteem, organizing many gatherings in her honor, paying her tributes, and even crowning her. Mai Bhagi received the Tamgha-e-Husn-e-Karkardagi, Mari Award, Shah Latif Award, Thar Koel Award, Sachal Award, and numerous other awards.
Mai Bhagi spent a significant part of her later life suffering from a paralysis illness and passed away at the age of 65 on July 7, 1986, near New Kot Railway Station, where a colony named “Mai Bhagi Colony” exists today. Mai Bhagi rests in the historic graveyard of Mir Razi Shah Ghoot in Mehrani. Among her descendants, her son Kalo Faqir, daughter Mai Soni, and grandson Barakat Faqir also sing folk songs today and are gaining fame.
This profile is taken from the Sindhyana Encyclopedia.
