Jalal Chandio

Jalal Chandio was born to Haji Faiz Muhammad Chandio, who owned large number of cattle. As a result of which, Jalal Chandio could not find the interest in academic education and remained a shepherd during his younger days.

Chandio was fond of singing since childhood but his parents instead sent him to village Nawan Jatoi to learn the profession of tailoring. Disheartened, he left tailoring to start singing.[2] His teacher was Fakir Ali Gul Mahar, whom he accompanied to almost all the singing concerts. In 1973, Chandio began solo performance after receiving permission from his mentor.

He was an expert of YAQTARA & CHAPRI (musical instruments).[3] His singing style made him popular among his fans.[4][5] He promoted yaktara & chapri in Pakistani folk music.

A film Jalal Chandio was made in his lifetime, in which, Chandio played his own character.[6]

It is believed that Jalal Chandio released a thousand audio cassettes as well as ten thousand songs during his lifetime. Since, he was unschooled, he would often memorize his own songs.[7] He was known as king of Sindhi singers because he promoted Sindhi songs almost in whole world when media was not common. He had possessed enormous qualities and most importantly generosity. Because It was reported that he gave his buffalo to old lady whose buffalo was stolen.

Chandio was spiritual disciple of Mahdi Shah of Shahpur Jehanian. He used to sing on Urs of almost all the saints out of his fondness for them.[8] He had affiliation with famous Sindhi Poet Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai and therefore he performed on his many of his urs.

He received several awards in his country and beyond. In 1999, provincial Government of Sindh's Department of Culture and Tourism, recognized Jalal's contribution to the singing and awarded him the 'Latif Award'. Among the many awards that Jalal received, one came from the local Sindhi music maestro Ustad Manzoor Ali Khan, for his dedication to the profession.[9]

During beginning of 2000, he became ill due to kidney failure and got admitted in Liaqat National Hospital Karachi; from he got discharged after one month treatment. During his admission in hospital, then Culture Secretary Hameed Akhond supported him and provided a TV for seeing cricket in his hospital room. In December 2000, he felt pain again in his kidney and he was shifted to Hyderabad later shifted to SIUT Karachi for proper medical treatment. Doctors advised that he is suffering in last stage due to kidney failure and he is needed blood on daily basis. He died on 10 January 2001 at about 1030 hours at SIUT Karachi. He was shifted to his hometown Phull and buried in Phull Town, District Naushahro Feroze as per his desires.[10]