Though his songs in Sindhi were the main source of his fame, he also sang a number of songs in Urdu as well. ‘Itnay Baray Jeewan Sagar Main’ was a famous patriotic song which was also sang by him. His song ‘Allah Allah Kar Bhaiya’, recorded in 1986, which he sang along with Muhammad Ali Shehki became immensely popular. He was introduced to Radio Pakistan and then to Pakistan Television Corporation in Hyderabad by Mumtaz Mirza from where he gradually rose to new heights of success.įaqir focused upon spiritualism in his singing. Report made on Faqir s 11th death anniversaryįaqir spent twenty years of his life at Bhittai’s tomb, singing his poetry there. Best known for his devotional singing and traditional folk dancing, many of Faqir’s songs were based on the poetry of Sindhi poet Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai. The article has been written and contributed by Kamran Khamiso Khawaja who is a law student and columnist.LAHORE (Web Desk) – Renowned Sindhi folk singer Allan Faqir was born in Jamshoro in the year 1932. His son Faheem Allan is trying to carry the legacy but is still less known in mainstream music circles. The folk maestro passed away on 4 July 2000 following a brief illness leaving behind scores of fans who still get fascinated by his melodious voice. Apart from that, he was bestowed with the Shah Latif Award and Shahbaz Qalandar Award in 1992.
The Government of Pakistan conferred him with the President Pride of Performance award in recognition of his phenomenal services. His idiosyncratic style of dressing, melodious voice and unique style of Singing by playing Tambura, and eccentric dancing skills gave him a distinct rank in Pakistan’s entertainment industry. Besides performing on PTV, Radio Pakistan, and in private music concerts he also gave his voice for Sindhi films. He sang many songs mostly in Sindh Language, his famous songs include Tiri Pawanda-A famous poem of Sheikh Ayaz, Alif Allah, Boli Muhinjhi, and a national Song Itne Bade Jeevan Sagar Me Tum Ne Pakistan Diya Oh Allah. The fusion of Urdu Song Tere Ishq Mein Jo Bhi and Sindhi song Jake Manhyar Manyar sung by Mohammad Ali Sheikhi and Allan Faqeer in 1986 garnered fame from across the country and is still considered masterpieces produced by Pakistan Television during its golden era. He performed in different parts of the world including the U.K the USA, Germany, and the UAE, and earned exemplary appreciation.
The melodious voice of Allan reached the ears of one of the renowned producers of PTV and he gave him his first break on national television during mid 70 he never looked back since then and went on to represent the culture of Pakistan particularly Sindh across the world.
It was his long stay at the shrine of Shah Latif that persuaded him toward Sufism and folk music and his bond with these two became undetectable since then. He started living at the Shrine of Renowned Sufi Poet Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai where he used to accompany- Sufi Fakirs who sang poetry of Latif locally called “Wahi ” every evening at his shrine. The young Allan used to beat drums and sing songs in marriage ceremonies but his thirst for music remained intact and he wanted to achieve something high.Īfter the tragedy that he faced in the shape of his mother’s death, he moved to Manjhand - a village between Sehwan and Hyderabad, where he remained in the company of renowned folk singers and got himself involved into a deep state of SufismĪfter the tragedy that he faced in the shape of his mother’s death, he moved to Manjhand-a village between Sehwan and Hyderabad district where he remained in the company of renowned folk singers and got himself involved into a deep state of Sufism.
Since he inherited music his training of singing and playing musical instruments started in his childhood. Mangarhar is a tribe of rural Sindh usually affiliated with music and art. One of the pioneers of folk music in Pakistan, Allan Fakir was born in the village Amari of district Jamshoro in 1932 in a family of Mangarhars. Wearing a crown-like turban on his head whenever Allan appeared on the stage he enthralled the audience with his soul-stirring voice and marvellous dancing skills. Today marks the 21st death anniversary of eminent folk singer Ali Bux aka Allan Fakir, a singer of his own style who touched heights of folk music through his exceptional voice and unique style of singing.