HYDERABAD: Popular folksinger Taj Mastani told story of her life and struggle as artist at a special program ‘an evening’ with the artist organised by Besant Hall Cultural Centre Hyderabad on Friday. She said that she started her career at the age of 14. She recounted her experiences as a struggling artist, highlighting significant role played by Abdul Hamid Akhund and Mumtaz Mirza in helping her build her career. The exposure they gave her not only helped her gain recognition but solidified her commitment to preserving and promoting essence of folk music and she started showcasing her extraordinary talent through performance of traditional folksongs, she said. She said that her passion for music and deep-rooted connection to her cultural heritage were evident in every note she sang. There were no familiar or renowned artists that she had taken inspiration from rather there were unsung singers who became principal source of her inspiration, she said. She quoted multiple times the name of late Ustad Feroz Gul as her mentor and said Gul played a great role in her career. The evening was filled with nostalgia as Mastani took to the stage, her melodious voice captivating audience from very first note of “awhanja ashiq hazar ahin; soor inhee saari and munhjay pyar ja rakhwala”. As she performed, listeners evoked memories of their own connections to folk traditions. She was equally at ease with Urdu semi classical renderings. Audience sang along, celebrating spirit of togetherness that folk music inherently fosters. A press release by Besant Hall Cultural Centre said that it was committed to promoting arts and preserving cultural heritage and was proud to host such a significant event. The centre has long been a beacon for cultural activities in Hyderabad, fostering appreciation for traditional art forms and providing a space for artists like Taj Mastani to connect with their audiences, according to the statement.