Renowned Sindhi folk singer Mai Dhai has expressed pride in Pakistan’s cultural heritage, saying traditional music from Sindh continues to captivate audiences across the world.
Speaking on the sidelines of the World Culture Festival, she said it was encouraging to see international visitors coming to Pakistan to experience its cultural diversity. She also expressed gratitude for the love and respect Pakistani artists receive during performances abroad.
“It feels wonderful when people from all over the world come to Pakistan. The love and respect we receive is overwhelming. I have received a lot of love wherever I have performed around the world,” she said.
Describing Sindh as a land with a distinctive musical identity, Mai Dhai said its traditional songs and folk artists deserved greater recognition internationally. She stressed that artists should remain connected to their cultural roots, regardless of how far their musical journeys take them.
Mai Dhai belongs to the Manganiar community and hails from Tharparkar. She became widely recognised for her powerful voice and traditional Rajasthani and Sindhi folk music. Her performances helped bring regional music to a wider audience, particularly through the Lahooti Live Sessions and later her appearance on the eighth season of Coke Studio in 2015.
She performed two songs during the season, including “Aankha?li Pha?ookai” and “Kadi Ao Ni”, the latter featuring Atif Aslam. Her distinctive singing style attracted attention for preserving traditional folk sounds while reaching contemporary audiences.
Her musical journey also took her to international platforms. In 2015, she performed at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival in the United States, where her music received a positive response. Her international performances helped introduce the musical traditions of Tharparkar and the Manganiar community to audiences beyond Pakistan.
Mai Dhai also recalled the contribution of legendary folk singer Mai Bhagi, who took Sindhi music to international audiences while remaining faithful to her cultural identity.
Referring to Mai Bhagi’s journey, she said the legendary singer travelled to destinations including the United States, London and Dubai without abandoning her traditional musical style.
Mai Bhagi became popular for folk songs such as “Saman Sai Maan Ta Goli Ghulam Tohinji Dar Ji” and “Murli Wari Man Mohiyo”. She remained an influential figure in Sindhi folk music until her death on July 7, 1986.
Mai Dhai said cultural festivals played an important role in bringing artists and audiences from different countries together. She encouraged people to attend such events and appreciate the diverse musical traditions and artistic expressions they showcase.
In recognition of her contribution to Pakistan’s music industry, Mai Dhai received the Pride of Performance award from the government in 2024.
The singer attended the festival with her grandsons, who also help manage her musical engagements. One of them said he was learning to play the harmonium from his grandmother and hoped to continue the family’s musical legacy.
He said learning directly from Mai Dhai was an opportunity to preserve the traditional music and cultural heritage passed down through generations.
