Which Song Inspired Atif Aslam’s Collaboration with Mai Dhai?

An international cultural fair is currently underway in Karachi, organized in collaboration with the Arts Council, Geo, and Jang. The event features local and international artists, including Mai Dhai from Umarkot, who took part in the World Cultural Festival. Geo Digital held a special conversation with her.

Mai Dhai arrived in Karachi with her grandsons, explaining that she often performs with her family members, “with one leading and another playing the musical instruments.” In an exclusive interview, she shared, “I come from a family of traditional (‘Jadi Pashti’) singers and musicians. My mother, Khand Mai, also sang, and I have been performing since childhood.”

She recounted how the former Provincial Culture Minister of Sindh, Sardar Shah, who lived nearby, heard her sing while she performed at various households. This connection opened doors for her to perform at different venues. She added, “I received great support from Sardar Shah, which allowed me to perform on national and international stages.”

Mai Dhai reminisced about her international performances, noting that she traveled to the United States in 2014 and has since performed in Egypt, London, and numerous other countries.

Her Rajasthani song, Kadi Awa Na Rasila, with Atif Aslam in Coke Studio Season 8, gained significant popularity. However, this wasn’t her debut on the show; she had also performed Ankhar Le Phaduki with Karam Abbas earlier in the same season, which was well-received.

She mentioned that Atif Aslam expressed interest in collaborating after hearing Ankhar Le Phaduki. “When I arrived at Coke Studio, Atif heard me sing and said he would like to perform with me. He was very happy,” she recalled.

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