Language is part of our identity, individually and collectively. It connects and shapes us, giving us roots from which to grow. British Pakistani singer and songwriter, Samia Malik, shares her personal journey to reclaim her mothertongue, Urdu, on the newly re-mastered song and single, “Ma Ki
Samia reflects on the writing process for “Ma Ki Zabaan”, Ki Zabaan”.
Zabaan” (Mothertongue)”. This song is Samia’s personal story of losing family, almost losing Urdu and reclaiming both through the song.
“There are some losses that happen so quietly you don’t notice them until one day you reach for a word… and it isn’t there. I wrote “Ma Ki Zabaan” (Mothertongue) after becoming estranged from my mother, and then, slowly, losing the language she had given me. I was living far from home, surrounded by English, while Urdu-the language that had held my childhood, my dreams, my songs-began to fade from my mouth. I kept coming back to one question:
How can I speak to my mother without my mother tongue?”
Written in the ghazal form of rhyming couplets, “Ma Ki Zabaan” is performed in both Urdu and English and features Samia Malik on vocals and the traditional tanpura. Samia is joined by Sianed Jones c harmonium and second vocals and Cris Cheek on clarinet. 3 / 4 musician, Sukhdeep Dhanjal of Garam Masala fame, performs ta.
Samia Malik’s journey to reclaim her heritage language through “Ma Ki Zabaan” provided the creative foundation for her musical career as a bilingual songwriter. “Ma Ki Zabaan” takes pride of place on Samia Malik’s re-mastered album “Colour Of The Heart”, scheduled for release in October, 2026. The song forms part of Season 1 for Samia Malik’s special A Journey To Freedom, consisting of album | آزادی | project, Azaadi releases, accompanying music videos, artist video presentations, online workshops and concerts.
“Ma Ki Zabaan” (Mothertongue) releases on 31st July, 2026 and was supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England with additional support from Norwich Theatre and Counterpoints Arts.
