An international cultural fair is currently going on in Karachi in collaboration with the Arts Council, Geo, and Jang, featuring participation from both local and international artists.
Mai Dhai from Umarkot was part of the World Cultural Festival. Geo Digital had the opportunity to hold a special conversation with her.
Mai Dhai came to Karachi with her grandsons and mentioned that she sings alongside her children, ‘with one leading and the other responsible for playing the musical instruments.’
In an exclusive interview with Geo Digital, she shared, “I belong to a family of traditional (“Jadi Pashti”) singers and musicians. My mother, Khand Mai, also used to sing, and I have been singing since childhood.”
She added, ‘While performing in various households, former Provincial Culture Minister Sindh, Sardar Shah, who lived in my neighborhood, heard me sing. This opened the doors for me to perform at various venues.’
She further stated, “I received significant support from Sardar Shah, which helped me perform at both national and international levels.”
Mai Dhai recalled, ‘I went to America to perform in 2014, and I’ve also had the opportunity to perform in Egypt, London, and many other countries.’
In Coke Studio Season 8, Mai Dhai and Atif Aslam’s Rajasthani song, Kadi Awa Na Rasila, became quite popular. However, this was not her first appearance in Coke Studio. She had previously performed Ankhar Le Phaduki with singer Karam Abbas in the same season, which was also well-received.
She mentioned, “When Atif Aslam heard ‘Ankhar Le Phaduki’ in Coke Studio Season 8, he expressed his desire to sing with me.”
She said, “When I arrived at Coke Studio, Atif Aslam heard me sing and expressed that he would like to sing with me. He was very happy.”
