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.
Speaking to Independent Urdu, Hasan Tawana told about his trip that ‘from childhood he came to see farmers, how they work 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 sometimes I am so lucky that I went to a place for the first time and immediately took a picture. 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, children flying kites from trees, or depictions of 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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How has Hasan Talal Towana’s work influenced the perception of rural culture in Punjab, both locally and internationally?
**Interview with Hasan Talal Towana: Documenting the Heart of Rural Punjab**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Hasan. Your photography has brought the beautiful scenes of rural Punjab into the spotlight. Can you tell us how you got started in photography and what inspired you to focus on capturing local culture?
**Hasan Talal Towana:** Thank you for having me! I grew up in a village near Sargodha and from a young age, I was fascinated by the lives of farmers and the landscapes around me. I didn’t have formal training; I just picked up a camera driven by my passion. I wanted to showcase the hard work of the farmers and the beauty of our countryside, which often goes unnoticed in our fast-paced world.
**Interviewer:** Your photos are indeed a window into the past, evoking nostalgic feelings about rural life. How do you select the scenes you want to capture?
**Hasan Talal Towana:** Sometimes it’s spontaneous—I might come across an incredible scene by chance and take a picture right away. Other times, I revisit places that hold memories for me. I strive to capture genuine moments and emotions. It’s all about being in tune with the environment and the people.
**Interviewer:** You have gained recognition not just in Pakistan, but internationally as well. Can you share the impact of your work across borders, especially from the Sikh community in India?
**Hasan Talal Towana:** The response has been overwhelming, particularly from the Sikh community in India. Many people reach out to express their love for my work, sharing how it resonates with their own experiences of Punjab. It’s encouraging to see that my photography can bridge cultural divides and evoke emotions in so many people.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned teaching photography to students. What do you emphasize to your students when you teach?
**Hasan Talal Towana:** I emphasize the importance of storytelling through photography. Every image should narrate a story and convey feelings. I encourage my students to explore their surroundings deeply, to observe the incredible narratives that exist in everyday life, especially in our rural landscapes.
**Interviewer:** Hasan, your photographs truly evoke a longing for the simpler times among viewers. What message do you hope to convey through your work?
**Hasan Talal Towana:** I hope to remind people of the values and beauty in our roots—the hard work, the serenity, and the essence of rural life that is often overlooked. In a world racing towards progress, I want to encourage people to appreciate what they have before it’s gone.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Hasan, for sharing your insights and the passion behind your work. We look forward to seeing more of your beautiful photography.
**Hasan Talal Towana:** Thank you! I appreciate the opportunity to share my journey and the beauty of Punjab with more people.