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 motivated Hasan Talal Towana to start documenting the stories of farmers in rural Punjab through his photography?
### Interview with Hasan Talal Towana: Capturing the Heart of Rural Punjab
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Hasan. Your photography has really revolutionized how we see rural Punjab. Can you share what drew you to photography in the first place?
**Hasan Talal Towana:** Thank you for having me! Growing up in village 58 North in Sargodha, I was surrounded by the beauty of our fields, rivers, and the hard work of farmers. Watching them labor under tough conditions ignited a passion in me to document their stories. I didn’t have formal training in photography, but my love for the art form pushed me to learn as I went along.
**Interviewer:** Your work not only showcases the natural beauty of Punjab but also evokes a sense of nostalgia. What do you hope people feel when they look at your photographs?
**Hasan Talal Towana:** I want people to feel a connection to their roots. My photographs aim to provide a window into the past—a way for viewers to explore their childhood memories and reflect on simpler times. Many people tell me that looking at my images makes them want to return to that world we’ve left behind in the name of progress.
**Interviewer:** You’ve gained recognition both locally and internationally. How has this journey been for you?
**Hasan Talal Towana:** It’s been quite surreal. Initially, I received immense love and support from the Sikh community in Indian Punjab. Their emotional responses often touch me deeply. My work has been featured in exhibitions organized by various embassies, and even my photographs have graced the Pakistan International Airlines calendar. The response I’ve received has been overwhelmingly positive, which inspires me to keep going.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the creative process of capturing these scenes. Do you plan your shoots carefully, or do you find the moments spontaneously?
**Hasan Talal Towana:** It’s a mix! Sometimes I get lucky and find the perfect moment at the first place I visit. Other times, I might have to explore multiple locations—up to seven—before finding the right shot. But I never feel nervous; I just stay open to the beauty around me.
**Interviewer:** Your work has a profound impact on viewers. Why do you think it resonates particularly with people from Punjab?
**Hasan Talal Towana:** I think it resonates because it tells their stories—stories of our land, our struggles, and our traditions. Many people feel a deep emotional connection to the scenes I capture. It’s not just art; it’s a heartfelt homage to the people and culture of Punjab. When viewers see these images, it’s as if they are reconnecting with a part of themselves that hasn’t been seen in a long time.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what advice would you give to aspiring photographers looking to start their journey?
**Hasan Talal Towana:** Follow your passion and don’t wait for formal training. Capture what speaks to you, and don’t be afraid to learn through experience. Each photograph is a story waiting to be told, so let your heart guide you.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Hasan. Your insights and dedication to capturing the essence of rural Punjab are truly inspiring.
**Hasan Talal Towana:** Thank you for having me! It’s been a pleasure to share my journey.
