Sabri Brothers

The Sabri Brothers, Haji Ghulam Farid (or Fareed) Sabri (1930-1994) and Haji Maqbool Ahmed Sabri (also born in Kalyana in East Punjab, on October 12, 1945), they were taught music by their father, Ustad Haji Inayat Sen Sabri. The family claims descent from Mian Tansen, one of the greatest and most legendary Hindustani musicians of all time. The musically gifted Tansen was a musician in the court of Akbar and is credited with miraculous powers of musicianship. Maqbool Ahmed Sabri formed his first party of qawwals at the age of 11; soon afterwards in 1956 his elder brother (who had been singing with Kallan Khan's qawwal and party) joined him and the Sabri Brothers proper came about. Their career was marked by brotherly squabbles followed by periods of each doing solo work. The duo created a body of recorded work, consistent in quality, but rather more traditional than Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's recorded work. Ghulam Farid Sabri's funeral in Karachi was attended by an estimated 40, 000 mourners. Haji Maqbool Ahmed Sabri continues to carry the torch. ~ Ken Hunt, All Music Guide.

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Aziz Mian

Aziz Mian was born in Delhi, India on April 17th ,1942.
He moved to Pakistan at the age of five in 1947. At the age of ten he started to learn the art of qawwali under the tutelage of Ustad Abdul Waheed.Aziz Mian holds M.S. Degrees from Punjab University, Lahore, in History and Urdu Literature.
Aziz Mian's first big break-in performance~ came in 1966 when he performed. before the Shah of Iran ,Raza Shah Pehlvl. He won 1st Prize In Iran and Gold Medal from the King of Persia. Aziz Mian is not only a great Qawwal but also a devoted Sufi, beautiful poet, philosopher, writer of Serat, Scholar of scripture and a great researcher.
The famous Pakistani comedian, Umar Sharif said in one of his one-man shows about Aziz Mian, "Other people have disputes on earth, his (Aziz's) disputes are in heavens. He altercates with Allah."
Sabri Brothers criticied his most famous qawwali "Main Sharabi Main Sharabi" (I Alcoholic I Alcoholic) with their own qawwali "Peena Veena Chhor Sharabi" (Quit Drinking, Alcoholic). It was retorted by Aziz Mian with "Hi Kam-Bakht Too Ne Pe He Nahi" (Alas You Haven't Drunk).
Aziz Mian died because of complications of hepatitis in Tehran (Iran) on December 6, 2000. He was in Iran on the invitation by the Iranian government for performance on the occasion of Ali's (cousin of Prophet Muhammad) death aniversary. Aziz Mian has two sons who are following in his footsteps, Imran and Tabrez. Both qawwals are very similar in style to Aziz himself.

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Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

USTAD NUSRAT FATEH ALI KHAN born on 13th October 1948 Faisalabad (Lyallpur), Pakistan. Died 16th August 1997 London, United Kingdom.
On Saturday 16th August 1997 Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan passed away in London. His first British performance was in Birmingham in 1980, organised by Oriental Star Agencies, from then on he toured the country almost every year. His family had been Qawwali (Sufi devotional music) singers for six centuries. During his lifetime he revitalised Qawwali, making it an internationally acclaimed art form. From Birmingham to Bombay, Tokyo to Toronto his concerts and new recordings were eagerly awaited. Whether he was performing at music festivals, for world leaders or at the shrines of Sufi saints in his beloved Punjab he transported listeners to the realms of sublime and ecstasy. When asked about the critics who accused him of corrupting the traditional Qawwali by introducing innovations he answered "tradition should not be seen as a dead thing, it is the responsibility of musicians to make music for the people of their time." In the sub-continent Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs alike appreciated his music. In a world where differences are more and more being exploited to divide people he used his unrivalled talent to unify audiences. Thirteenth century Sufi poet and musician Amir Khusrau said that music was the fire that burnt heart and soul. In the twentieth century Usatd Nusrat Fateh Ali was the carrier of that fire. Those who saw and heard him perform ecstatic improvisations will miss him greatly. Those who have yet to discover him are fortunate that his angelic voice has been left behind on a vast collection of recordings. We at Oriental Star Agencies feel proud of our association with Khan Sahib which has continued from beginning of his career to his tragic and untimely death. May his soul rest in peace.

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