jaibi
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I don't agree with the source of this, meaning Adnan Sami; however, the content is true. Our government does not care for the artists and niether do the the people. Recall the pathetic condition of Babu Baraal. Who cared? No one. Being an artist is not easy here and the lack of public support is just criminal.
MUMBAI: Pakistani singer Adnan Sami says he doesn’t mourn the death of folk artist Reshma as much he mourns her last days. Lashing out at the Pakistani government, Sami said, “I don’t mourn her death as much as I mourn her last days [of throat cancer], when she was left to rot alone with no support from her government’s ministry of culture and the government-run Lok Virsa.”
Reshma died on Sunday in Lahore. The singer, who enthralled South Asians with her singing, could have lived if only her government had looked after her medical needs, feels Sami. The 44-year-old, who is currently based in Mumbai, said angrily that Pakistan is not a country for artistes, adding, “These government-run institutions are not only supposed to uphold the glory of folk heritage, but also support artistes who create this folk heritage.”
For Sami, honouring artistes posthumously is insignificant if they were not supported by the government when they were alive. “What is the point of glorifying an artiste once they are gone — having being abandoned in their hour of need?” questioned Sami. “The same happened with Allan Fakir, Mehdi Hassan and countless other stalwarts in the past. Now it is Begum Reshma. And then they ask why their [Pakistani] artistes leave their country! Does anyone want to be at their mercy? God bless Begum Reshma’s soul.”
Sami, who is saddened by the legendary folk singer’s death said, “May she rest in peace. I know she is in a better place today.”
Reshma recorded songs for both Pakistani and Indian movies. Some of her hit songs areLambi Judaai, Mere Chan Pardesi, Dama Dam Mast Qalandar and Na Dil Dendi Bedardi Nu.
Pakistan is not a country for artistes, says Adnan Sami – The Express Tribune