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. Many embassies have organized exhibitions 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 Punjab across the border, 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 from 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. The implements that have been part of our farmers’ lives for the last 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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**Interview with Hasan Talal Towana: Capturing the Essence of Rural Punjab**
**Editor:** Welcome, Hasan! It’s great to have you with us today. Your photography is widely recognized for beautifully depicting the rural culture of Punjab. Can you start by sharing what inspired you to pursue photography as a way to showcase your local culture?
**Hasan Talal Towana:** Thank you for having me! I grew up in village 58 North in Sargodha, where I was surrounded by fields, farmers, and the simple yet rich beauty of rural life. From a young age, I witnessed the hard work of farmers under challenging conditions and felt a deep desire to share their stories with the world. Photography became my chosen medium to convey these experiences and emotions.
**Editor:** You mentioned that you did not receive formal training in photography. How did you develop your skills to the level where you are teaching others?
**Hasan Talal Towana:** It was all self-taught and driven by passion. I started experimenting with a camera on my own, taking pictures of everything around me. The more I practiced, the more I learned. Now, I teach photography at various universities and conduct workshops, sharing what I’ve discovered over the years.
**Editor:** Your photographs have resonated with many, both locally and abroad. Can you tell us about some memorable feedback you’ve received, especially from communities outside Pakistan?
**Hasan Talal Towana:** The response has been overwhelming, especially from the Sikh community in India. When I started sharing my work, many people, including cricketers and singers, showered me with love and appreciation. Some even expressed their emotions profoundly; it moves me to see how my work can inspire such feelings—maybe I am even more popular there than I am here!
**Editor:** Your images often evoke nostalgia and a longing for the past. Do you think this is what draws people to your photography?
**Hasan Talal Towana:** Absolutely. My aim is to recreate scenes that capture the essence of our heritage, allowing people to reminisce about their childhood and the simpler times they may have experienced. Many viewers tell me that my work makes them want to reconnect with their roots, especially in a rapidly progressing world.
**Editor:** You’ve also participated in exhibitions organized by various embassies and have contributed to notable projects like the PIA calendar. What does it mean for you to receive such recognition?
**Hasan Talal Towana:** It’s a tremendous honor. Each exhibition and project is not just a showcase of my work, but a platform to share the rich culture of Punjab with a wider audience. It motivates me to continue capturing and preserving these beautiful glimpses of life that might otherwise fade away.
**Editor:** Lastly, for those aspiring photographers or enthusiasts looking to follow in your footsteps, what advice would you give?
**Hasan Talal Towana:** My biggest advice is to follow your passion and tell stories that matter to you. Don’t worry about technical skills at the start; focus on your vision and what you want to convey. The rest will come with practice and patience. Capture the world around you and let your camera be an extension of your perspective.
**Editor:** Thank you, Hasan, for sharing your insights and experiences with us. Your passion for photography and culture is truly inspiring!
**Hasan Talal Towana:** Thank you for having me! It’s been a pleasure to share my journey.
