Pakistani legend Shaukat Ali has been honoured in a unique way by Indian sculptor Manjit Singh for his incredible work in the entertainment industry.
Manjit Singh Gill’s honorary artwork was installed at a park in Ghal Kalan village.
Shaukat Ali was one of the “veteran personalities recognized for their remarkable and exceptional work in nurturing Punjabi folk music, language, and culture”.
Shaukat Ali had his fans across the globe, Punjab of India also mourned over the death of this great singer. The cause of his death had been liver cirrhosis since almost a year back and was being treated since then, his son, Imran Ali told international media.
“He had recovered but 4 months back his condition again got worsen and his liver ceased working completely. He died at a hospital in Lahore Friday,” he said.
In 1962 Shaukat Ali was honoured with a silver jubilee award for his first song “Pagdi Utaar Chora”.
The Indian sculptor has also made statues of world-celebrated philanthropist and humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi and Punjabi poet Bashir Husain Najmi, mainly known by his pen name, Baba Najmi.
Shaukat Ali had passed away in Lahore on April 2 at the age of 77, his son Ameer had confirmed at the time after his health worsened and he underwent treatment at the Combined Military Hospital in Lahore.
The folk singer had been facing many health issues — including diabetes and a liver transplant — and had a heart bypass surgery a few years ago.
He was one of the most inventive singers of the Pakistani music industry, with a career traversing 5 decades, singing songs, ghazals, national anthems, and Punjabi folk tunes.
His song “Jaag Utha Hai Sara Watan” became very famous across the country and his patriotic songs rekindled among the Pakistanis during the wars of 1965 and 1971.
Shaukat Ali was awarded the Pride of Performance (1990), Pride of Punjab, and Voice of Punjab (1976) award for his astonishing work and great performance to serve the entertainment industry.