He once sang in our class without any musical instruments and composition. When he finished, the teacher remarked, “If such talents were acknowledged and prompted, Arijit Singh would have fallen short.” He was the same teacher who once looked down upon him, “but I have never given up making people realize that I am really talented.” He always goes to school half-an-hour earlier so that he can sing in front of his classmates, who also come early so that they can listen to his melodious voice.
A singer par excellence and extremely talented, Jam Mohammad, a tenth-grade student, belongs to a remote area of Turbat – Dasht Bal Negwar. He has come to Turbat for his studies. He sings so beautifully that one sails in different songs on his singing; nevertheless, his songs sooth the souls. His euphonious and melodic voice is so relaxing. He can make you dance and cry by his songs. In short, he is a gem we have in the Baloch society.
Apart from this, when asked that how and when he started singing, he responds, “I used to sing Zaheeronk (Melancholy sing) as a child when I took my cattle to the mountains back in my native area.” However, he then did not know that he had such a grand talent grooming inside. “But when people listened to my songs, they encouraged and praised me,” he says thankfully. But many people still do not acknowledge Jam’s talent.
“My real journey revamped when I came to Turbat. The educational institutions, where I studied, were of great support and encouragement for me,” Jam spoke remembering his earlier days in Turbat. “Firstly, when I went to Model High School (where I am reading now), I used to be very silent. But then I realized that I would not get to anywhere by being mute – especially when I had such a reckoning voice,” says Jam proudly.
Then he started participating in the annual programs of his school. Obviously, he pronounces, he has got a lot of concentration and affection from his school teachers. A small fraction of people acknowledged his talent and encouraged him. “But aside from encouragement and motivation, they did not do anything on practical grounds; I did not get any financial support from them either so that I could pursue singing as a full time singer,” he adds. He further says that he is looking forward to joining a singing club but is unable to do so because of shortage of time owing to his studies. He was made feel like singing cannot render him a living for life which doubles his queries in going towards becoming a professional singer, “But I still try to cope with the given circumstances and looking forward opportunities to rise as a full time singer,” Jam says while pondering deeply and smiling.
Moreover, Jam says that his inspiration in the field of singing is renowned Balochi singer, Kamran Dad. “When I listened to the ghazals of Kamran Dad, they touched my heart,” he puts on. “Then, I would sing them and copy Dad’s style.” He still listens to Kamran Dad and tries to copy his tone. “I mostly sing Dad’s songs in Mehfils (concerts) whenever I get opportunities.”
Apart from singing, he also has a YouTube channel where he uploads songs – not merely his, but also that of young, talented people of his village – and short films that he shot with his friends. “We have got a good response from people so far,” he said warmly being thankful to his audience. “They have praised our works.” People have motivated and supported him but they have not been “enough to keep me moving” or maybe they were just too less for Jam’s exceptional talent.
He dreams of becoming an “ustad” someday like Dad. “I want to sing in the concerts, and I want people to respect my talent,” he tells me ambitiously. He says that he would join a club once he finishes his matriculation. At last, he sings a soulful song of Noor Khan Bezenjo which directly goes to the heart.
