You must have seen many pages on social media that showcase the local culture of rural areas of Punjab in the form of beautiful pictures and videos. is posted. 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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### PAA Questions for “Interview with Hasan Talal Towana: Bringing Rural Punjab to Life Through Photography”
### Interview with Hasan Talal Towana: Bringing Rural Punjab to Life Through Photography
**Interviewer:** Hasan, thank you for joining us today. You’ve become quite a prominent figure in showcasing the beauty of rural Punjab through your photography. What inspired you to start this journey?
**Hasan Talal Towana:** Thank you for having me! Growing up in village 58 North in Sargodha, I was always surrounded by the hard work and dedication of farmers. I watched them toil in the fields, often under challenging conditions. I wanted to capture their lives and share their stories with the world. That passion for storytelling through images is what drove me to pick up a camera.
**Interviewer:** It’s fascinating how your personal experiences shaped your artistic vision. Could you tell us more about the themes in your photography?
**Hasan:** My photography focuses on the simplicity and beauty of rural life—fields, canals, rivers, animals, and the everyday scenes that tell the untold stories of this land. When people look at my photos, I want them to feel nostalgic, to connect with their own memories and perhaps yearn for a simpler time that we’ve left behind in the name of progress.
**Interviewer:** Your work has received both national and international acclaim, including exhibitions abroad. How does it feel to have such a positive response, especially from communities like the Sikh community in Indian Punjab?
**Hasan:** It’s incredibly humbling. The love I’ve received, especially from the Sikh community, has been overwhelming. Many people have shared how my images resonate with their own experiences, and it’s rewarding to see tearful reactions from individuals who connect with the memories my photos evoke. I sometimes feel I may actually be more popular there than here in Pakistan.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned in a previous discussion that you haven’t had formal training in photography. How did you develop your skills?
**Hasan:** I started out of sheer passion. Over time, I learned by experimenting with my camera and observing my surroundings. Now, I teach photography at various universities and conduct workshops. It’s fulfilling to pass on what I’ve learned to others who share my passion.
**Interviewer:** Your approach to photography seems very spontaneous. Can you describe your process for capturing these moments?
**Hasan:** Well, I often venture into the fields without a strict plan. Sometimes, I take a photo the very first time I visit a location. Other times, it may take multiple visits to find the right composition. I’m fortunate that I can capture what I see without feeling nervous—it’s all about being in the moment and letting the scene inspire me.
**Interviewer:** As we look at the photos you share online, what message do you hope to convey?
**Hasan:** I want to highlight the beauty and resilience of rural life. By sharing these images, I hope to remind people of the importance of our heritage and the stories that shape our identity. This sense of connection can sometimes feel lost in our fast-paced lives, and I want to bring that back through my photography.
**Interviewer:** Hasan, it has been a pleasure speaking with you. Your work truly serves as a window to the past, allowing many to cherish their roots and reflect on a simpler way of life.
**Hasan:** Thank you! I appreciate the opportunity to share my journey and my love for rural Punjab through my lens. It means a lot to me.
