Amjad Sabri

Born in Karachi, Sindh on 23 December 1970, Amjad began learning qawwali music from his father at age nine and joined his father on stage to perform in 1982 at age 9.[5] His father trained him in Raag Bhairon, which is practiced in early morning. For this training Sabri had to get out of bed in the mid night, then after performing tahajjud (a midnight prayer) practised the baja.[6] Sabri presented the work of his family and travelled widely to India, America and Europe where he was known as the "rock star" of qawwali.[7] From then on he remained one of the most acclaimed qawwali singers on the Indian subcontinent and performed around the world.

Amjad used to recite chorus and clap in his father's and uncle's band Sabri Brothers. He also appeared alongside his father Ghulam Farid Sabri and uncle Maqbool Ahmed Sabri at the age of 6 years along with Sabri Brothers group in 1982 Pakistani film Saharay in which his father and uncle recited their famous golden hit Tajdar-e-Haram. Amjad also recited Allama Muhammad Iqbal's poem Lab Pe Aati Hai Dua in the same film. After his father's death he worked as a supporting vocalist and also used to play bongo drums. Later, in 1996 he started his own group with his brothers and friends as members. His first album was Balaghal Ola Be Kamalehi which was released by Oriental star agencies in 1997 which featured his father's and uncle's golden hit Sar E La Makan Se Talab Huwi as the main item. Mostly, he used to recite poetry sung by his father and uncle, then eventually began to include some of his own compositions. Some of his hit Qawwalis included Ali Ke Sath Hai Zehra Ki Shaadi and Na Poochiye Ke Kya Hussain Hai. His most popular song is a Naat Karam Maangta Hoon. His other works include Main Nazar Karoon Jaan E Jigar, Allah Allah, Dhoom Macha Do, Kaab Ki Raunaq, Kaash Yeh Dua Meri, Ali Mera Dil, Phir Dikha De Haram, Tuloo E Saher Hai Shaam-E-Qalandar and his last Naat Aye Sabz Gumbad Wale.

Sabri's last musical project was with Coke Studio. He performed an outstanding qawwali, "Aaj Rang Hai" with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan in Episode 7 of Season 9. Sabri's performance on the platform came out to be his first and last one.[8]

On 22 June 2016, after finishing a morning TV show where his last naat included the words "When I shudder in my dark tomb, dear Prophet, look after me",[9] two motorcyclists opened fire on Sabri's car in Liaquatabad Town, Karachi, critically injuring Sabri, an associate and his driver. Sabri was shot twice in the head and once on the ear.[10][11][12] All of the passengers were then shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital where Sabri died shortly after.[13] His assassination occurred near an underpass named after his father.[9][14]

Tens of thousands of people attended Sabri's funeral in Karachi.[15]

Sabri's murder met with condemnation from many public figures in Pakistan and India, and several protests were organised against the killing.[16][17][18][19] Several songs, music videos were made, and articles were published, to pay a tribute to Sabri. In addition, Sabri was paid tribute in several shows and award ceremonies in Pakistan. Since Sabri's death, several concerts have been held around the world in his tribute. In 2016, a Qawal group held a concert in the United States in a tribute to Sabri, which was attended by thousands of people.[20]

• Amjad Sabri at IMDb