Karachi (Web Desk): The 31st anniversary of renowned Qawwal Ghulam Farid Sabri was observed Saturday.
Born in 1930 in Kalyana, a village nestled in the district of Rohtak in East Punjab, India, Farid Sabri’s musical odyssey began at the tender age of six, under the tutelage of his father, Inayat Sabri.
It was from these early lessons that he would craft a legacy that would span decades and transcend borders.
His inaugural public performance took place in 1946 during the Urs of Sufi saint Mubarik Shah, where, before an eager throng, his voice reverberated with an intensity and devotion that would become characteristic of his art.
It was this first moment in the spotlight that would set the stage for his future as a voice of devotion and transcendence.
In partnership with his brother Maqbool Ahmed Sabri, he formed the iconic Sabri Brothers, a duo that would leave an indelible mark on the world of qawwali.
Their collaboration birthed timeless pieces, each imbued with a deep, mystical energy. Among their most beloved works was "Mera Koi Nahin Hai Tere Siwa," a haunting melody that captured the longing and devotion of the Sufi tradition.
Over the years, other masterpieces like "Bhardo Jholi Meri Ya Muhammad" and "Taajdar-e-Haram" would emerge as anthems of spiritual devotion and surrender.
Ghulam Farid Sabri died on April 5, 1994, following a heart attack in Karachi.
His music remains a bridge between the earthly and the divine, a testament to the power of devotion and the transcendence found in the sacred art of qawwali.
