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Every time I met Amjad Sabri, he had a big smile: Rahat Fateh Ali Khan remembers the late qawwal

Every time I met Amjad Sabri, he had a big smile: Rahat Fateh Ali Khan remembers the late qawwal

The two had recently collaborated to record the qawwali 'Aj Rang Hai' for Coke Studio's upcoming season
24 Jun, 2016

The news of Amjad Sabri's death had everyone stop in their tracks; the shock reverberated beyond Pakistan.

A few weeks before the "rockstar" qawwal was assassinated in Karachi, Sabri had recorded his much-anticipated Coke Studio debut alongside another legend, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

"Whenever I met Amjad bhai, it was with a lot of love and mutual respect, with his big smile," shares Khan.

"It was a wonderful experience to sing the kalaam 'Aj Rang Hai' with him. The environment created at that time was different, very soulful, roohani (spiritual). It was simply great."

"I think about it now and feel sad that it was our last meeting. He will be missed very dearly, he was an Ashiq-e-Rasool," he adds.

Amjad Sabri himself had recently talked about his appearance on show: “About 40 years ago, my father and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan read this Kalaam at a dargah in Karachi and 40 years later, Rahat and I are reading it again (on Coke Studio Season 9).”

The Coca-Cola team also launched a statement on Amjad Sabri in Coke Studio stating, “The tragic death of Amjad Sabri is a huge national loss. In spite of his great success nationally and internationally, he was a gentle and humble person, treasured and respected by everyone who met him."

"Amjad Sabri will be seen performing in Season 9 of Coke Studio, together with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, in what is probably the last studio recording done by him before his untimely death."

Sabri is credited with making the qawwali musical style accessible to Pakistan's youth. He was a sought-after performer for large-scale events in Pakistan, like the annual Lux Style Awards and cultural exchange programme, Shaan-e-Pakistan.

Comments

dawn Jun 24, 2016 05:17pm
How sad is this loss.
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Sarwar, USA. Jun 24, 2016 08:16pm
RIP.. the legend.
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sid Jun 25, 2016 12:58am
may his killers ROT in hell and ROT in this world too.. AMEN!
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Ahsan Jun 25, 2016 02:38am
What type of nation we are? we kill our doctors, scientists, writes, thinkers ....... and list goes on. For what? if Pakistan has to survive, we need to clean from top to bottom and inside out. Our soul is dead. We morn for few days and then life goes on.
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S.Usman Jun 25, 2016 05:15am
can't say enough about the sadness his demise has left in the hearts of everyone... feels like someone very very close has departed....he was 24 karat genuine .. God give sabar to everyone..
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Dervaish Khan Jun 25, 2016 09:19am
Good that he has finished that recording. We will be eagerly waiting for its release. RIP in Jannatul Firdous.
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Optimistic Pakistani Jun 26, 2016 08:42am
May Allah bless your soul and grant you the highest place in Jannah. You will be dearly missed. An absolute humble personality playing caram in streets and friends with all the neighbours Panwalas to actors etc. We all are in shock and pray for sabr to your family.
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