Mai Dhai, a celebrated folk singer from the Tharparkar desert, has achieved a new recognition milestone by appearing on the iconic Times Square billboard in New York City. Known for its vibrant digital displays featuring celebrities and major brands, Times Square is one of the globe’s most bustling tourist hubs.
Hailing from the Manganhar Muslim community, which boasts a rich tradition of music in both Pakistan’s Tharparkar region and India’s Rajasthan, Mai Dhai’s journey to international acclaim is remarkable.
Her breakthrough came in 2013 at the Lahooti Live Sessions, where her distinctive appearance and evocative voice drew widespread admiration.
This success paved the way for her performances at renowned venues like the SXSW Music Festival in 2015 and the City University Graduate Centre in New York, further elevating her global presence.
In 2016, Mai Dhai’s popularity soared in Pakistan following her acclaimed performances in Coke Studio’s eighth season. Her renditions of ‘Aankhaṛli Phaṛookai’ and ‘Kadi Ao Ni,’ alongside artists Karam Abbas Khan and Atif Aslam, received critical praise and endeared her to a wider audience.
Recently, Spotify Pakistan celebrated her achievements by posting an image of Mai Dhai on social media with the caption, “#Koyal jaisi awaaz pohanchi seedha Times Square 💚 Listen to @MaiDhai_Official on the #EQUALPakistan playlist.”
This milestone follows another Pakistani artist, Talal Qureshi, who was featured on a Spotify billboard in Times Square in October 2023, promoting his album ‘Turbo,’ which merges modern techno with traditional Pakistani musical elements.
