Pathanay Khan Biography 
Pathanay Khan was a legendary Sufi and Saraiki folk singer born in British India in 1926. He hailed from Basti Tambu Wali, Kot Addu of Punjab, now a part of Pakistani Punjab provinces. He sang several ghazals in Saraiki language and was a recipient of Pride of Performance Award in 1979 given by government of Pakistan. He began singing, mostly the Kafis of Khwaja Ghulam Farid, the saint of Mithankot, and later different genres of folk music and Sufi Music. He passed away in Pakistan in year 2000.
He was born as Ghulam Mohammad in 1926 in Punjab Provinces of British India. His father three times, and his mother was his second wife. When his father brought a new wife to their home his mother left him. She took her young son along and went to Kot Addu, where he stayed with his maternal grandfather. As a child once he became seriously ill, and he was taken to a spiritual leader's house by his mother. The spiritual leader's wife advised them to change his name. When their daughter suggested a new name, 'Pathanay Khan', Ghulam’s mother accepted it instantly to save his life.
He was very much attached to his mother, who looked after him as a single mother. Though his mother wanted him to get educated, Pathanay Khan spent most of his time wandering and singing. He studied till 7th standard only, and later completely switched over to singing. Khan was totally devoted to Khwaja Farid, and through his renditions he tried to give deeper meanings to his poetry and works. Chheena een chhaneeda yaar, Kia haal sunanwan dil da, Meda ishq vee toon, Jindari lutti and Peelu pakkian nee are some of his popular renditions.
Published: February 18, 2019
Updated: February 18, 2019
