Ataullah Esa Khelvi – The CAP Podcast #50

Ataullah Esa Khelvi is one of Pakistan’s most renowned and widely recognized artistes. Born in 1951 in a village called Isakhel in Mianwali. In conversation with The Citizens Archive of Pakistan, Mr. Khelvi talked about the turning point in his life: discovering music as his calling and also realizing the sacrifice he would need to make to pursue his dream.

Attaullah Khan Niazi Esakhelvi (Urdu: عطاء اللہ خان عیسی خیلوی‎, born 19 August 1951; surname also translated asEsa Khailvi) also known as 'lala' (which means "elder brother" in Pashto and Punjabi) is a Pakistani award-winning musician from Isakhel, Mianwali, Punjab. He was kicked out of his house as he wanted to become a singer but his dad didn't allow. The only opportunity seemed to him was to follow his passion during his fathers hajj journey. He is traditionally considered a Seraiki artist, but his music albums are in both Seraiki and Punjabi/Urdu.

Attaullah's hits include Qameez Teri Kaali, Idhar Zindagi ka Janaza,Raatan, We Bol Sanwal, Ishq Main Hum Tumain Kya Batayain, Theva Mundri tha Theva, Woh Bahar Ka Zamana, Mahi Wasey Mera and Aaaj Kala Choda Pa.

The Government of Pakistan awarded him the Pride of Performance Award in 1991.

Early life

Attaullah Khan Esakhelvi was born on 19 August 1951 in Essa Khail, Mianwali, Punjab Province, Pakistan. He was named Attaullah Khan Niazi. Niazi is a populous Pashtun tribe in Punjab to which Imran Khan, Misbah ul Haq, Sami Khan, Junaid Khan (singer) and Hassan Niazi also belongs. Attaullah developed an interest in music as a child, but music was strictly forbidden in his home. Despite the restriction on music in his home, Attaullah secretly sought to learn more about music. His school teacher taught him Mohammed Rafi and Mukesh songs and told him never to stop singing. Attaullah tried to explain his passion for music to his parents and convince them to let him sing, but they forbade him to continue singing. Disillusioned, Attaullah left home when he was 18 years old. He traveled extensively within Pakistan and supported himself by working from Mianwali. The people of Mianwali love Attaullah because of his voice and are very proud of him. In his home town of Isakhel there is such regard for him as a great singer that people put the names of their hotels after his name.

Musical career

Attaullah continued his musical training after leaving his parents' home, and often recorded himself on cassette tapes that he later distributed.

In 1972, Attaullah was invited to perform on Radio Pakistan, Bahawalpur. That same year, he performed in a concert in Mianwali. In 1973, he performed on the television show Neelam Ghar.

Attaullah was invited by a company in Faisalabad to record folk songs in their studio, and he recorded four albums in one recording session. The albums were released at the end of 1977 and became national bestsellers.

In 1980, Attaullah performed in the United Kingdom for the first time. It was also his first concert abroad. Attaullah's albums were eventually released in the United Kingdom under various labels, including Hi-tech, OSA and Moviebox.

Attaullah Khan is a Muslim and has performed Na`at and Kalaam of famous Sufi poets, such as Mian Muhammad Bakhsh's Saiful Maluk and Bulleh Shah's Keey Bay Dardan Sang Yaree.

He has recorded more than 45,000 songs in seven languages. He has received a lifetime achievement award from Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, and had his name entered in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1994 for the highest number of audio albums released.

Popularity in India

Attaullah Khan visited India during 2014. THE TIMES OF INDIA writes "TNN | Apr 17, 2014, 12.00 AM IST: A Sufi concert, Ibaadat, organized in association with Navbharat Times, was recently held at Purana Quila in the capital. Pakistani folk singer Attaullah Khan performed for the first time in Delhi at this event. Khan sang his Achha Sila Diya Tune Mere Pyaar Ka, and other Pakistani Sufi hits for the audience. The concert was organized by the AAS group, an NGO which works to spread awareness about cervical cancer among women and ways to prevent it, and this concert was organized to spread that message." |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/events/delhi/Pakistani-folk-singer-Attaullah-Khan-performed-during-A-Sufi-concert-at-Purana-Quila-in-Delhi/articleshow/33829774.cms?

Personal life

Attaullah relocated to Lahore after becoming a professional musician performing in Seraiki, Urdu and English. He has been married twice and has three children. His daughter Laraib Atta is a professional VFX artist who has worked for several Hollywood films.

Musicians

Attaullah has his own band which travels with him. Members of the band include:

• Salamat Ali Khan: tabla


• Javed Ali: dholak


• Babar: flute


• Sabir Ali: harmonium

The musicians in Attaullah's band have performed with him since the 1970s, in Pakistan, United States of America, Japan, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Spain,Germany, India, Italy, Australia, Oman, New Zealand and Hong Kong