Governor confers Balochistan Excellence Award on Shiaan Bugti

Nabila Hafiz

Islamabad: Along with various other personalities, Balochistan Governor Syed Zahoor Ahmed Agha recently conferred the “Balochistan Excellence Award” on tambura artist Shiaan Khan Bugti. Shiaan Bugti belongs to the Dera Bugti district of Balochistan and he has been serving the province as well as the country at the national and international levels.

The provincial excellence award is a kind of recognition of his services to the province as well as the country at large.

The ward giving ceremony was held at the Governor House, Quetta. In the ceremony, the awards were given by the Balochistan government in connection with Pakistan Day to acknowledge and recognize the services of people belonging to different sectors of society.

Talking to The Penpk.com, Shiaan Khan Bugti said Tambura remains his favorite instrument since childhood, adding he was only eight-year-old when started learning this instrument from his father.

Earlier, his father used to perform and since his death, he has been continuing his family legacy. Shaan’s younger brother is an expert in making Tambura and setting its tune fine.

The 56-year-old folk artist has represented the country’s folk art in various countries abroad, including Canada, Germany, and the United States.

The tambura artist has performed in Iraq as well, and says “I went to Iraq and performed there,” adding that “he received much respect and acknowledgment because of his instrument”.

He has also performed in India, Pakistan’s arch-rival since independence in general and after the 1948 Pak-India war in Kashmir in particular.

Shiaan Bugti due to his melody instrument is not only popular among the Indian public but received great appreciation and was awarded for his best performance in India.

The tambura artist says “When we visited India, the ties between Pakistan and India were good.”

He is hoping that he will get another chance to visit India and represent his country there. He said Indians are loving people and they respect artists and art.