Ghulam Fareed Sabri

Ghulam Farid Sabri was a prominent qawwali singer and a member of the Sabri Brothers, an influential musical group in Pakistan during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. He was also a Sufi mystic who belonged to the Chishti Order.

Early life and education

Born in 1930 in Kalyana, a village within the Rohtak district of Punjab, British India, Sabri came from a family with a musical lineage dating back to the Mughal Empire. His ancestors claimed direct descent from Mian Tansen, who served as the musician for the court of Emperor Akbar. His paternal grandfather, Mehboob Baksh Ranji Ali Rang, was a musician, while his maternal grandfather, Baqar Hussein Khan, performed as a sitarist. Because his family belonged to the Sabriyya order of Sufism, they adopted the surname Sabri.

Sabri grew up in Gwalior, India. Although he once desired to live in the wilderness, his mother's stern rebuke redirected him toward his responsibilities. He began formal music instruction at age six under his father, Inayat Hussain Sabri. This training covered North Indian classical music, qawwali, and the playing of both the tabla and harmonium. Before his studies commenced, he and his father visited the shrine of Khwja Ghaus Muhammad Gwaliori to seek blessings.

He initially studied under his father and various other Ustads in Gwalior. Later, he and his younger brothers, Maqbool Ahmed Sabri and Kamaal Ahmed Sabri, advanced their musical knowledge under several teachers. These included Ustad Fatehdin Khan, Ustad Ramzan Khan, Ustad Kallan Khan, and Ustad Latafat Hussein Khan Rampuri. They also studied under their spiritual master, Hazrat Hairat Ali Shah Warsi.

Career

Sabri delivered his first public performance in 1946 at the annual Urs festival of Mubarak Shah Sahab in Kalyana. Before migrating to Pakistan in 1947, he had joined the qawwali party of Ustad Kallan Khan in India. After moving to Pakistan, he rejected an offer from a businessman to partner in a nightclub because he only wished to sing qawwali. In 1956, he joined the ensemble led by his brother Maqbool, which was previously known as the Bacha Qawwal Party.

The group was initially called Ghulam Farid Sabri Qawwal & Party after Sabri assumed leadership. Following requests from well-wishers, Maqbool joined as a co-lead singer, and the ensemble became known as Ghulam Farid Sabri - Maqbool Ahmed Sabri Qawwal & Party. Eventually, the group adopted the name Sabri Brothers. They released their first recording in 1958 under the EMI Pakistan label, which featured the hit "Mera Koi Nahi Hai Tere Siwa."

Their repertoire included famous qawwalis such as "Bhar Do Jholi Meri Ya Muhammad" and "Tajdar-e-Haram." They also performed works like "O Sharabi Chore De Peena" and "Khwaja Ki Deewani." The brothers sang Persian pieces by Amir Khusro, including "Nami Danam Che Manzil Boodh" and "Man Kunto Maula." Sabri was also a poet who wrote songs such as "Aawe Mahi" and "Auliyao'n Ke Maula Imam Aaye Hai."

Personal life

Sabri shared a deep bond with his younger brother, Maqbool Ahmed Sabri, whom he loved most of all his companions. He married Asghari Begum when he was approximately 18 years old. He left behind five sons—Sarwat Farid Sabri, Azmat Farid Sabri, Amjad Farid Sabri, Asmat Farid Sabri, and Talha Farid Sabri—along with six daughters. He lived in the Liaquatabad suburb of Karachi, where he practiced constant zikr using a 1000-bead tasbih.

He was initiated into the Warsiyya order of Sufism by Hazrat Ambar Ali Shah Warsi, receiving the name Alam Shah Warsi. Sabri was known as a deeply religious and simple man who possessed a great sense of humour. He strictly disciplined his sons in classical music, often waking them at 4:00 AM for riyaz. This practice ensured they could perform Raag Bhairon at the correct time of day.

Sabri died on 5 April 1994 in Liaquatabad, Karachi, following a massive heart attack. He passed away while traveling to a hospital with his brother Maqbool by his side. Approximately 40,000 mourners attended his funeral before he was buried at Paposh Qabristan. His legacy continues through his brothers and his son, Amjad Sabri.

Awards and recognition

The Sabri Brothers were awarded the Pride of Performance by the President of Pakistan in 1978.