Ghulam Mohammad, popularly known as Pathanay Khan was a Saraiki folk singer from Kot Addu who always associated himself with Hazrat Khawaja Ghulam Farid and Bulleh Shah. Pathanay Khan gained popularity in his old age. You won’t see any video files of him when he was young. There is a myth that states, with the ‘Sharf’ of Hazrat Khawaja Ghulam Farid, When Pathanay Khan recited his ‘Kafis’ gained popularity in the mainstream media. It was Pathanay Khan who became a bridge between ancient Saraiki sufism and the contemporary world. Today, Pathanay Khan is known all over the world even after 25 years of his death.
Video: From LokVirsa, Edited version by Saraiki.org
He started his journey when two of his friends noticed his work while he was reciting Kafis in the ‘Darbaar’ of Hazrat khawaja Ghulam Farid in Kot Mithan. They took him to perform at a stage and eventually gave him 50 rupees as his first payment or compensation. They recorded the Kafi and published it with a label. This Kafi gained traction among the general public which led to his further impressive works including ‘Kya haal Sunavan Dil Da’, ‘Jindri Lutti tain Yaar Sajan’, ‘Mera Ranjhan Hunr Koi Horr’ and ‘Vaje Allah Wali Taar’.
In the time of Sain Pathanay Khan, the name Pthana Khan was used. But over time, It was changed from Pthana Khan to Pathanay Khan.
Pathanay Khan was a man of ascetic nature. Being closely associated with Sufism, he had no concern for wealth. He performed on large stages without ever demanding money.
Pathanay Khan was honored with the Presidential Award — Pride of Performance.
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto used to invite Sain Pathanay Khan and would listen to him in private, in solitude.
Historical accounts confirm that Bhutto asked Sain Pathanay Khan many times: “Ask me — what do you want?” To which Pathanay Khan would always give the same reply:
“Let the poor in my area have a full meal.”
Throughout his life, Sain Pathanay Khan never gave up his spiritual discipline (riyaz). Even on the last night before his passing, when his caretakers were attending to him and he started feeling a bit better, he said:
“Go, bring me my harmonium.”
Even in his final hours, he did not abandon his practice.
Sain Pathanay Khan mostly traveled by train. It is said that during these journeys, he would begin his vocal practice, and the passengers would slowly become mesmerized by his voice as the train moved along.
A woman came from Germany to make a documentary on Sain Pathanay Khan and stayed with him for a few days. Since he didn’t speak English, he asked his friend Mr. Yousuf Jamal to stay with him and help take care of the guests. Yousuf Jamal recalls that they served the guests generously. One day, they offered lassi to the German woman. She asked, “What is this?”
Yousuf Jamal didn’t know the English word for lassi, so he turned to Sain and asked, “What should I tell her? There’s no English word for this!”
Sain Pathanay Khan replied with a smile:
“Tell her… it’s white whiskey.”
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