Twelve-year-old Muskan Noshi hails from Hafizabad is following the footsteps of the legendary folk singer Alam Lohar who was famous for his unique singing style using the chimta (traditional Punjabi musical instrument).
Chimta (tong) has remained quite popular among Punjabi folk musicians and Alam Lohar introduced chimta to the global audience.
Muskan can be seen performing in local theatres and shows in Hafizabad where she has been receiving a tremendously positive response. It shows the music tradition of chimta still popular in Punjab and people wanted to listen to folksongs in the unique style of singing.
How Chimta works?
Chimta produces chiming sounds if the performer holds the joint of the music instrument in one hand and strikes the two parallel sides of the chimta together. There are jingles attached on each side of the chimta and are made of metal so it produces a metallic sound and keeps up the beat of the song.
Tradition of Punjab
Singers widely used chimta to perform in fairs, yearly urs and in local theatres. The beat of this musical instrument has enough power to make people dance.
Alam Lohar’s (1928 –1979) legacy is continued through his son Arif Lohar, it is now a young Muskan from South Punjab who is saving the dying tradition and unique singing style of Punjab.
Another chimta lover who has been doing great in Punjab is female singer Bali Jatti from Punjab for the promotion of folk theatre and folk music in Punjab.