Amjad Sabri is the proud and gifted inheritor of the
tradition of Qwwali associated with the celebrated
group of Sabri brothers. It is sung in a chorus
employing different, tunes, pitches and rhythms of
voice. Qwwali is a Sufi devotional music. With a
history of 700 years, originally it was performed at
Sufi shrines mausoleums and tombs throughout South
Asia, particularly in India and Pakistan. Now it has
also become a genre of modern music presented at
parties and special occasions such a marriages and
birthday parties.
Youthful and inimitable Amjad Sabri attired in
traditional shalwar and Qameez (trouser and shirt)
along with his band, displayed his unmatched skill
before a packed hall on the evening of December 28. He
is a true replica of his illustrious father late
Ghulam Farid Sabri both in physical stature, quality
of voice and the unique presentation of the melodious
lyrics eulogizing the Islamic apostles and famous
saints and mystics.
The Sabri family execels in this line of music and
singing that is primarily pecualir to the
subcontinent. A succession of mystics and saints
spread Islam through their mystical discourses and by
cultivation of obedience to god, love and humanity
through extreme humanism and spirituality. The singers
would pay homage to them for their great services in
breeding a culture peace and love. The three most
distinguished figures in the Sabri Qawalls family are
Ghulam Farid Sabri, Maqbool Sabir Qawwal and now Amjad
Sabri. Ghulam Farid and Maqbool Sabri have died.
On the illuminated stage, there sat a group of five
persons, with impressive expertise in playing
different instruments such as Tabla, the drum, the
piano and the harmonimum. The audiences were immensely
swayed and were transported in a state mystical
ecstasy for over three hours that the group remained
on the stage.
Intermittently the more spiritually thrilled, excited
or ecstatic person would come to the stage and shower
currency bills on the singers in quick succession. It
is one of those traditions during the Qwwali session
that is observed as a token of appreciation of the
captivating delivery of the group and by way of
rewarding them monetarily.
There was a sharp contrast between the freezing cold
outside and the warmth and enthusiasm generated inside
by the heartwarming melody of the Sabri band. The
Irving Arts Center at MacArthur Avenue was booming
with the rich and powerful rhythmic and rhetorical
voice of the chorus. The audience wholeheartedly
admired and acknowledged the highly professional
performance of the adept singers by enthusiastically
applauding and vigorously cheering the mystical
outpourings laced with immaculate melody and soothing
rhyme.
Jinab Pervez Malik the owner of the popular radio Hot
Pepper 1220 am and his adorable wife Seema Malik( she
was unfortunately indisposed because of eye surgery)
must be complimented for offering a unique, wonderful,
enjoyable and spiritually nourishing evening to our
community after a .long spell of time. The other
sponsors especially Indus Performing Art Promoters
deserve glowing tribute and our community's gratitude
for the unique entertainment that was overdue for long
and that has stimulated and reenergized our slumbering
souls.
Let us once again give three cheers to the organizers
and hugely thank and applaud them for this magnificent
function that would be long remembered.
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