Music in a Punjabi village.

Maya are traditional folk songs of the Punjab in Pakistan. In Bhalot these songs are sung fairly often in the dhéra (guest houses where men hang out in the evenings). When the electricity is working television watching is the most common activity however during the winter months electricity loadshedding is a frequent occurence. When the television is cut off people begin chatting and if someone (like a visiting anthropologist) requests a song there is invariably someone who is happy to oblige.

Nissar Ahmed is accepted as one of the best singers in the village. I have been priviliged to have him perform for me on many occasions. His nickname is 'TOtou'-- which comes from 'TOtA' (parrot in Urdu). The knocking in the background and the occasional voices are common when people sing. Other people interject encouraging comments and knock on things in time (or not) to the music. These maya are quite popular among all socioeconomic groups of the village.

I am currently working on a transcription and translation of this and other songs. I will make these available as they are ready.