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Updated 05 Jul, 2011 12:40pm

Folk singer Allan Fakir’s 11th death anniversary observed

Allan Fakir was born in 1932 in the historical city of Sindh Aamari. Allan Fakir's father used to beat the drum and sing traditional songs.

Allan Fakir developed a habit of singing melancholy songs which his father did not like. Deprived of a mother's love, he went off in search of someone who could replace that love.

He arrived at the tomb of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai in Bhit Shah and started living there.

Faqir's memory was sharp even though he could not read and write. Hearing the traditional Latifi Raag sung every night touched his heart. Encouraged by Faqir Zawar Qurban Ali Lanjwani and Moolchand Maharaj, he began singing Bhitai's poetry at the shrine and ultimately spent twenty years there until meeting Mumtaz Mirza, who introduced him to Radio and TV.

His songs, mostly in Sindhi language except a few in Urdu, usually revolve around sufism and the devotional philosophy. One of his famous songs is a duet with Muhammad Ali Shehki, "Allah Allah kar bhaiya" which was a big hit and increased his popularity tremendously. A patriotic song "Itne bare jeewan saagar main" also got very popular.

Allan Fakir received the President's Pride of Performance award in 1980, the Shahbaz Award in 1987, the Shah Latif Award in 1992 and Kandhkot Award in 1993. Allan Fakir died on 4 July 2000.

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