You must have seen many pages on social media where the local culture of rural areas of Punjab is posted in the form of beautiful pictures and videos. One of the first youths to popularize this trend is Hasan Talal Towana.
Fields, canals, rivers, animals, birds, farmers and silent scenes of rural Punjab immersed in the evening color tell many stories in Hasan Tawana’s photography. Immerse yourself in the scene while looking at the picture of the past that is very close to your heart. Keep looking at Hasan’s pictures on Facebook or Instagram for a while, and suddenly your heart will want to leave everything behind and return to the world we left behind in the name of ‘progress’.
Hasan Tawana provides a window through which we can peer into the past, explore our childhood, and relive the world of the past.
Hasan Tawana received great acclaim not only in Pakistan but also abroad (Hassan Tawana).
Hasan Tuana belongs to village 58 North in Sargodha. Didn’t get formal training in photography, just became a fan of passion. Today, he has become so expert in his art that he teaches the nuances of photography to students in various universities and conducts workshops.
Talking to Independent Urdu, Hasan Tawana told about his trip that ‘from childhood he came to see the farmers, how they worked in difficult conditions, he wanted to show their lives and hard work to the world.’
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Do you click along the way or do you regularly plan and go to the same place over and over again? In response to this question, he said that ‘maybe I am so lucky that I went to a place for the first time and immediately took a picture, often I have to visit five or seven places and stop. Never felt nervous.’
Hasan Tawana was well received not only in Pakistan but also abroad. Several embassies have organized an exhibition of his photographs. He also decorated the PIA calendar with his pictures.
Hassan did not capture the disappearing scenes, but recreated the activities that have become part of the past and then preserved them with the eye of the camera (Hassan Tawana).
On the love received from cross-border Punjab, Hasan Talal Towana says, ‘When I started, the biggest response came from the Sikh community of Indian Punjab, the cricketers, singers, sectors and other people there got a lot of love. gave Maybe I’m more popular there than here. Most people start crying.’
His fans range from the common man to Indian celebrities like Sonam Bajwa and Shikhar Dhawan.
How to make pocket money with photography?
People buy prints of my photos, put them up in hotels, most of the buyers are Pakistanis living abroad. I recreate and show them what they saw in their childhood.’
He further says that ‘Life is changing very quickly, many things have disappeared before our eyes, I want to preserve them. Tools that have been a part of our farmers’ lives for the past hundred years, to suddenly throw them away now that a new machine has arrived hurts an artist. I want to preserve from the camera’s eye all the scenes that are in danger of being erased.’
Hasan not only captured the disappearing scenes but also recreated the activities that have become part of the past and then preserved them with the eye of the camera. For example, depictions of children flying kites from trees, or children engaged in various traditional sports.
Hasan Tawana’s photography universe is vast, emotional and full of quality. Visiting their wall is like having a therapy session, a relaxation that never comes back.
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– What inspired Hasan Talal Towana to start capturing the essence of rural life in Punjab through photography?
**Interview with Hasan Talal Towana: Capturing the Essence of Rural Punjab**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Hasan! Your work has profoundly resonated with many people both in Pakistan and abroad. Can you tell us about your journey into photography?
**Hasan Talal Towana:** Thank you for having me! My journey into photography began in my childhood, growing up in village 58 North in Sargodha. I was always surrounded by the beauty of rural life – the fields, canals, farmers working the land – and I wanted to share those stories with the world. I didn’t have formal training; my passion drove me to learn and capture these moments.
**Interviewer:** Your photographs do evoke a deep sense of nostalgia. What do you hope viewers feel when they see your work?
**Hasan Talal Towana:** I hope they feel a connection to their own pasts and to the lives of the farmers who embody resilience and hard work. My goal is to provide a window into a simpler time, allowing people to reminisce and maybe reconsider what we call progress. Many viewers tell me that my work makes them long for the world they left behind.
**Interviewer:** That’s a powerful impact. Your photography has gained international recognition. What has been the response from the Sikh community in India?
**Hasan Talal Towana:** The response has been incredible! When I started sharing my work, I was met with overwhelming support from the Sikh community in Indian Punjab. Many have expressed their emotions, sometimes even crying at the memories my photos evoke. I feel a deep kinship with them, and it’s heartening to see how art can transcend borders.
**Interviewer:** You also conduct workshops and teach photography. How does that aspect of your work influence your artistic journey?
**Hasan Talal Towana:** Teaching is deeply rewarding. It allows me to share the skills I’ve honed over the years and inspire the next generation of photographers. It’s a two-way street; I also learn from my students, hearing their perspectives and seeing the world through their eyes. It keeps me grounded and encourages me to keep pushing my own creative boundaries.
**Interviewer:** You’ve shared that you sometimes visit multiple locations before getting the perfect shot. Can you describe that process?
**Hasan Talal Towana:** Yes, I often go to a location several times, sometimes visiting five to seven places in one outing. Each time, I’m looking for that special moment, whether it’s the light at dusk or the farmer’s expression as they work the fields. I feel fortunate that many of my best photos come from those spontaneous moments captured on my first visit. But there’s also beauty in returning and observing the changes over time.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what’s next for you? Do you have any upcoming projects or exhibitions we should look out for?
**Hasan Talal Towana:** I’m currently working on a series that focuses on the changing landscape of rural Punjab due to modern influences. I want to document both the beauty and the challenges faced by these communities. Additionally, I have a few exhibitions planned both in Pakistan and internationally, which I’m really excited about. I hope to continue sharing these stories and inspire others through my art.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Hasan, for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us. Your work not only celebrates rural Punjab but helps preserve its culture for future generations.
**Hasan Talal Towana:** Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss my passion and the stories behind my photographs.
