Allan Fakir

Allan Fakir (1932– 4 July 2000)[1] (Sindhi: علڻ فقيرُ, Urdu: علن فقیر), was a Pakistani folk singer. One of the foremost exponents of Sufi music in Pakistan. He was particularly known for his ecstatic style of performance, marked with extreme devotional rhetoric and Sufi dance-singing.[2]

Ali Bux Alias Taunwer Faqir
Born1932[1]
Aamri village, Taluka Manjhand, Jamshoro District, Sind, British India (present-day Sindh, Pakistan)
Died(2000-07-04)4 July 2000[1] (aged 67 or 68)
Karachi, Pakistan
Resting placeBuried at Housing society Jamshoro (buried in his own home)
Occupationfolk singer

Early life

Allan Fakir was born in 1932 in the ancient village of Aamari in Jamshoro District, Sindh.[3] Allan's mother died soon after giving birth. He spent his childhood in Manjhand, a town between Sehwan and Hyderabad, Sindh.

He belonged to Mangrasi tribe, the Manganhars are believed to bring happiness and are welcomed by people on festive occasions for their gift of melody. According to the traditions of this caste, Allan Fakir's father used to beat the drum and sing traditional songs at weddings and Faqir's brothers still do the same job.

Fakir is an Arabic word, and implies a Sufi or a mystic. Thus in the real sense of the word, a 'Fakir' is someone who leads an independent life marked by piety, abstinence from material needs, and contentment in the available resources. It must not be confused with the rather loose usage of the same word implying a beggar, in the local languages Sindhi and Urdu.

When he was only a teenager, Allan developed a habit of singing melancholy songs, which were not liked by his father. Deprived of a motherly love, he went off in search of someone who could replace that love. He arrived at the tomb of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai at Bhit Shah, where he then started living. He was initially trained in singing by his father.

Allan's memory was quite sharp, even though, he could not read and write. He was very touched hearing the traditional 'Latifi Raag' every night. Encouraged by Faqir Zawar Qurban Ali Lanjwani and Moolchand Maharaj, Allan Fakir began singing Bhitai's poetry at the shrine and ultimately spent next twenty years there, until meeting with Mumtaz Mirza who introduced him to Radio Pakistan and Pakistan Television Corporation in Hyderabad, Sindh and helped him to learn the correct pronunciation of Bhitai's poetry.[1]

Eventually, Allan became a performing legend.

Super-hit songs

His songs, mostly in Sindhi language except a few in Urdu, usually revolve around Sufism and the devotional philosophy. But the characteristic which distinguishes him from many other folk singers, is the depth of his feelings, which is very expressive in all of his songs.

  • One of his famous songs is a duet with pop singer Muhammad Ali Shehki, "Allah Allah Kar Bhayya, Humma Humma" which became a huge hit and tremendously increased his popularity.
  • A patriotic song "Itne bare jeewan saagar mein tu nein Pakistan diya, O' Allah, O' Allah" Sung by Allan Fakir, lyrics by Jamiluddin Aali, music by Niaz Ahmed- A Pakistan Television Corporation, Karachi production (1973)[2][4]

Honors and awards

In appreciation of his services to folk culture, he was given a job and a small house at the Institute of Sindhology.

Allan Fakir received the following awards:

  • President's Pride of Performance award in 1980[3]
  • Bukhari Award in 1984
  • Shahbaz Award in 1987
  • Shah Latif Award in 1992
  • Kandhkot Award in 1993

Death

Allan Faqir died on 4 July 2000, at Liaqat National Hospital, Karachi. He died after suffering a paralysis attack. He left behind his wife, 3 sons and 2 daughters.[1]

See also

References
  1. https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/soc.culture.pakistan/YbyP5q4VLaw, Obituary and Profile on google.com website, Retrieved 13 November 2016
  2. http://tribune.com.pk/story/401396/in-memory-of-folk-singer-allan-faqir-remembered/, The Express Tribune newspaper, Published 30 June 2012, Retrieved 13 November 2016
  3. "Remembering Sindhi folk singer Allan Faqeer". The News International newspaper, Published 4 July 2016. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6hL8h00um4, Allan Fakir's song on YouTube, Retrieved 13 November 2016
  • OPF Almanac, Allan Fakir's Profile at Overseas Pakistanis Foundation website, Retrieved 13 Nov 2016
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