Farooq Rokhri’s lyrics live on through music

Seraiki, Urdu poet popular as ‘Baba-e-Thal’ passed away in 2008

MIANWALI:

Farooq Rokhri is among the poets whose poetry remains alive years after their demise through their rendition by popular singers.

Born in 1929 in village Rokhri of Mianwali district, he had studied up to matriculation, but rose to the height in the literary circles of being declared Baba-e-Thal.

He had taken an active part in the Pakistan Movement.

Farooq Rokhri joined the Pakistan Railways in 1949 but poetry had remained his passion since childhood.

He wrote Urdu ghazals and was a popular participant of Mushairas because of his style. His period was of Mutarannum or musical recital of poetry in Mianwali.

Farooq Rokhri protested through his poetry against the exploitation of labourers.

Then came a period when Farooq Rokhri started writing songs in Seraiki.

As a lyricist, he became a beloved poet of millions of people and each of his songs became very popular. His songs “Kundian Te Tur Ke Aaye” and “Asaan Ghat Peeti Te Mach Gaya Shore Way" set records of popularity.

His four books were published -- Hum Ko Bhi Neend Aye, Mein Parsa Nahi Farooq, Menu Mede Gitiyan Lutoyan and Kagaz Di Beri. He was also bestowed with the Al Mansoor, Sanwal and Khawaja Farid awards and as well as a cash prize by President Ziaul Haq.

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Local people who had met Farooq Rokhri told The Express Tribune that he was very simple, gentle, kind hearted, friendly, hospitable and popular.

He usually wore white clothes and a turban. The young as well as old used to call him Mama Farooq.

He retired from service in 1984 and permanently settled in Kundian town. His son ran a general store in Siddiqui Bazaar, where he often used to sit. He used to pray regularly.

Farooq Rokhri had many students of poetry and he used to reply daily to the letters he received.

Rokhri's favourite Raag was Aiman.

Attaullah Isa Khelvi, Mansoor Malangi, Masood Malik and numerous other singers sang his lyrics.

His Ghazal sung by Masood Malik, "Hum Tum Honge Badal Hoga" became popular across the country.

Farooq Rokhri passed away on April 6, 2008, but his poetry keeps enthralling the people. He is buried in the Railway Graveyard in Kundian.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 26^th, 2024.