Shafaullah Rokhri Explained

Shafaullah Khan Rokhri
Landscape:yes
Native Name:شفاء اللہ خان روکھڑی
Birth Date:1966
Birth Place:Rokhri, Mianwali, Pakistan
Death Place:Islamabad, Pakistan
Genre:Folk, ghazal
Occupation:Folk singer, songwriter, music composer
Years Active:1980s-2020
Label:Rokhri Productions
Thar Production Pakistan

Shafaullah Khan Rokhri (1966 - 29 August 2020) was a Punjabi and Saraiki folk singer, songwriter and music producer.

He mainly sang Saraiki and Punjabi songs which are popular all over Pakistan. He and his son Zeeshan Khan Rokhri produced music under their own label, Rokhri Productions. Zeeshan Khan Rokhri is also a well-known Saraiki singer.[1] [2]

Shafaullah Rokhri was one of the most popular singers from South Punjab, second only to Attaullah Khan Esakhelvi.[3]

Early life

Rokhri was born in 1966 in Mianwali, Punjab, he initially joined Punjab Police as a constable but due to his interest in music, left the job to pursue career in music.[4]

Music career

Rokhri started his music career in the 1980s and soon rose to fame.[5] He released a number of albums and became a prolific singer of the Saraiki folk genre. He was considered second only to Attaullah Khan Esakhelvi, also from Mianwali.

In later years, his son Zeeshan Rokhri joined him and the father-son duo sang manly songs which became immensely popular in Pakistan.[6] They also produced a music show, Folk Studio, and operated their own their own music label, Rokhri Productions, which featured artists from Saraiki belt.

During last decade, they mostly revamped their own songs and released them on YouTube, garnering millions of views. His songs have been covered by a number of new singers who rose to fame singing and following his style.

Personal life

He was married and had a daughter and four sons. His son Zeeshan Khan Rokhri is also a famous Saraiki singer.

Death

Rokhri died on 29 August 2020 in Islamabad, due to cardiac arrest.[7] Punjab's Chief Minister Usman Buzdar expressed condolences to Rokri's family, saying that he would long be remembered for the promotion of Saraiki singing.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Singer Shifaullah Rokhri passes away . DAWN.COM . 4 December 2024 . en . 30 August 2020.
  2. Web site: Renowned Saraiki folk singer Shafaullah Khan Rokhri passes away. 2024-06-28. Radio Pakistan website. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20200830190536/https://www.radio.gov.pk/29-08-2020/renowned-saraiki-folk-singer-shafaullah-khan-rokhri-passes-away. 30 August 2020. dead.
  3. Web site: 2020-08-29. Legendary Saraiki singer Shafa Ullah passes away. 2020-09-05. The Express Tribune. en.
  4. Web site: 2020-08-29. سرائیکی کے معروف گلوکار شفاء اللہ روکھڑی انتقال کرگئے, دل کا دورہ پڑا,عمر 54برس تھی, میانوالی میں سپردخاک کردیاگیا. 2020-09-05. Nawaiwaqt. ur.
  5. Web site: معروف سرائیکی گلوکار شفاء اللہ روکھڑی انتقال کر گئے،وزیر اعلیٰ کا اظہار تعزیت. 2020-09-05. jang.com.pk.
  6. Web site: 2020-08-31. Saraiki Folk Singer Shafaullah Rokhri Passes Away. 2020-09-05. ProPakistani - Lens. en-US.
  7. Web site: Folk singer Shafaullah Rokhri dies of heart attack. GNN HD News. 2020-08-29. en.
  8. Web site: 2020-08-30. Seraiki folk singer Shafaullah Rokhri passes away. 2020-09-05. Daily Times. en-US.