World famous singer and the uncrowned king of Seraiki and Punjabi music Attaullah Khan Esakhelvi has turned 74. Known with love as Lala among millions of fans Attaullah has sung more than 50 thousand songs in seven different languages and made Pakistan proud all over the world.
He was born on 19 August 1951 in Isakhel Punjab and loved singing from his childhood. His father did not like this passion which forced him to leave home at a young age but this separation later became the reason for his recognition as a singer.
In 1972 he started singing on Radio Pakistan Bahawalpur and his magical voice quickly won hearts. The very next year he appeared in PTV’s famous program Neelam Ghar and performed in a concert in his hometown Mianwali where people warmly welcomed him.
Later in Faisalabad he recorded four folk albums in a single session for a company. When these albums were released in 1977 his voice echoed everywhere from fields to highways.
His song Ae Thewa Mandri Da Thewa gave him wide popularity while Chan Kithan Guzari Aayi Raat Ve took him to heights of fame that most artists can only dream of.
By singing more than fifty thousand songs in seven languages he brought honor to Pakistan on an international level. For this unmatched record he was included in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1994.
The Government of Pakistan awarded him Pride of Performance in 1991 and fans lovingly call him Lala.
His journey that began in simple village gatherings has now become the voice of Pakistan in the world. Even today Attaullah Khan Esakhelvi remains a singer whose songs live in the hearts of the people.