The fragrance of Thari Folk Songs, a collection of essays on the beautiful folk songs of Thar, is written by the well-known Pakistani author, Mr. Noor Ahmed Janjhi.

    Mr. Janjhi is a versatile author from a rich cultured area of Sindh known as Thar. He has rendered valuable contributions in the field of Linguistics, Folklore, Folk Literature, Latif Studies, Rumi Studies, Ayaz Studies, Editorship, Translation, Lexicography, and Teaching. His research work on the sociological aspects of folk songs and folk literature is worth to be mentioned. His writings on the social mobilization and rural dynamics of Sindh society and the role of youth in it are a valuable pursuit. In the field of lexicography, his work as the contributor of two bilingual dictionaries published by Oxford University Press and as a member of Sindhi Language Authority for the compilation of “Mufsil Sindhi Lughat Board” is commendable.

    Mr. Janjhi starts his book with a discussion on the folk literature of deserted areas of Pakistan. According to him, the deserts of Pakistan have a golden history in the sphere of exploration of human knowledge and wisdom. Also, folk literature or folklore presents all the colors of life. One can observe the pain and pangs due to deprivation, the nostalgic feelings for faraway relatives, and the joy of love and excitement in the life of deserted people in folklore. Furthermore, Janjhi talks about the geological zones and languages spoken in Tharparkar. With it, he feels the dire need for the proper documentation of this intangible folklore heritage in the shape of audiovisual recordings.

    The whole book revolves around folk songs, sang and being sung in one of the deserted areas of Pakistan, Tharparkar. Talking about folk songs he says, “The study of the folk songs will explore many aspects of society reflecting the individual behavior as well as the collective or cultural behavior.” As in the words of Dr. Narain Bharti, "The peasant sings when he observes lush green fields, voices some melodies by whims of joy. Those melodies are called folksongs. Those are the songs of folk." So, folks of the desert sing and narrate what they see, experience, and observe. In this way, folksongs reveal the history as well as the code of life of people od deserts.

    The discussion on the folksongs starts with the song Baadliyo. In drought situations, when suddenly clouds start hovering in the sky, the people of deserts become happy as the rain brings prosperity, and sing melodious songs. Baadliyo is also one of the songs sung by women in rainy seasons to express their longing and nostalgia for their husbands, who went far away to earn the living of their families. Janjhi also discusses other glorious songs, such as Bhaiyo, Chaumaso, Warsaro, Siramen Teej, Chhail Bhamariyo, Chirmi, Dahooko, Doro, Hamaracho, Heendamani, Panihari, Jodhiyo, Moriyo, Wanjaro, Moomal, Karho, and Rano. Bhaiyo and Chaumaso are the songs sung by sisters for their brothers. Both songs depict an adorable relation between a brother and a sister. The songs also present a state of longing and nostalgia of a girl for her parents and native village. In Chaumaso, the brother visits his sister, living far away from her husband, to take her to the native village. But, the husband doesn't allow his wife to leave with her brother for her parents. And then, the sister appeals to her brother not to reveal her condition to her parents. Here are a few lines from Chaumaso;


“Stay your horse for a moment,

O, brother!

As we may discuss something.”

“I am barefoot and using leaves

Of akk as chapals,

My head is uncovered,

Covering it with leaves of pipal tree,

Don’t tell it to beloved mother

She may weep like moonson,

Don’t tell it to your wife,

She may share it with her parents,

Don’t tell it to beloved father,

He may come here on his camel”


    Warsaro and Siramen Teej are the songs sung by girls. Warsaro is sung by wives for their husbands in the rainy season, gone far away to earn the living of the family. The wife shows a strong yearning for her husband by singing Warsaro. And, Siramen Teej is sung by newly wedded girls in a festivity called Teej. In this song, the girl shows a longing for her parents and complains about the sufferings caused by her in-laws. The song Chhail Bhamariyo is also sung by wives, in which they describe their loneliness, despair, and urge in the absence of their husbands. Chhail Bhamariyo is famous with the name 'Kharri Neem Kay Neechay' and its audio-video songs are also available on YouTube, sung by a famous singer from Thar, Mai Baghi. Mostly, Thari folksongs represent yearning and remembrance. So, other songs, such as Chirmi, Hamaracho, Panihari, and Jodhiyo, etc. also depict the pictures of girls, lovers, or wives longing for their parents, loved ones, or husband. 

    All the songs discussed in the book are marvelous and deep. The author has also successfully covered almost all aspects of the songs. The essays could have become more interesting if the author had given the detailed historical perspective of the songs discussed. Anyway, the book is worth reading as it discusses every song from multiple dimensions and helps the readers to grasp the full concept of the song. 

    Last but not least, I've always loved the vastness of the observing ability of Mr. Janjhi, and this book is proof of the vastness of his observing ability and the reason to love it. Grab this book if you want to taste the taste of joy wrapped in Thari folksongs.
|By: Jahan Zaib Brohi|
The writer is a blogger and student at the University of Engineering & Technology. He can be reached at jahanzaib.writer@gmail.com