Media played important role for promotion of Siraiki language, renowned Seraiki singer Ahmad Nawaz Cheenah said this while talking to APP here. He said television channels like Kook, Wasaib, Rohi and other radio programmes were playing vital role for promotion of native languages in the country and across the globe.
"Seraiki language as an important regional dialect of the country is getting popularity both at national and global level day by day," he remarked. He said that over 14 million people in Punjab, Sindh, India and other parts of the world spoke Seraiki language. He further said Seraiki belt had its own culture and life style, and most people of the region loved to listen music in their native language (Seraiki).
He observed that from the last 10 years, a number of people were taking interest in the Seraiki language and its culture, and said the role of Seraiki singers could not be ignored in promotion of the Seraiki language. About other Seraiki singers, he said the contribution of an eminent singer Atta-ullah Essa Khelvi could not be ignored as he was known across the globe due to his melodious voice and singing style.
He said Seraiki in its present geographical setting in the Indus valley had begun to evolve as a language of common discourse, distinct from the Magadhan Prakrit as early as the fifth century BC.
Ahmad Nawaz Cheenah said that despite the ancient roots of the Seraiki language and its oral literary tradition, rather a small body of written literature in the language has survived. It is pertinent to mention here that Ahmad Nawaz was very popular in the Seraiki belt. Almost nine albums of Cheenah are available in the market, which remained successful and enthralled the masses.