Aziz Mian

"Shahenshah-e-Qawwali"
Aziz Mian Qawwal
Pride of Performance
Aziz Mian Qawwal - The King Of Qawwali
Background information
Birth name Abdul Aziz
Also known as Aziz Mian Meeruthi
Born (1942-04-17)17 April 1942[1]
Delhi, British India
Died 6 December 2000(2000-12-06) (aged 58)[1]
Tehran, Iran
Genres Qawwali
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter
musician
poet
philosopher
writer
scholar
Sufism
Instruments Harmonium
Years active 1966–2000
Website http://www.azizmianqawwal.com/

Aziz Mian Qawwal (Urdu: عزیز میاں قوال‎) (17 April 1942 – 6 December 2000) was one of Pakistan's leading[2] traditional qawwals and also famous for singing ghazals in his own unique style of qawwali. Aziz is still one of the most popular qawwals of South Asia, and he has given us many Qawwali hits.[3] He holds the record for singing the longest commercially released qawwali, Hashr Ke Roz Yeh Poochhunga, which runs slightly over 115 minutes.[3]

Early life and background

Aziz Mian was born as Abdul Aziz (Urdu: عبد العزیز) in Delhi, British India.[1] name=Dawn> The exclamation Mian, which he often used in his qawwalis, became part of his stage name. He began to introduce himself as Aziz Mian Meeruthi. The word Meerut refers to Meerut, a city in northern India, from which he migrated to Pakistan in 1947.

At the age of ten, he began learning the art of Qawwali under the tutelage of Ustad Abdul Wahid Khan of Lahore. He received sixteen years of training at the Data Ganj Baksh School of Lahore, and earned degrees in Urdu literature, Arabic and Persian from the University of Punjab, Lahore.[3]

Career

Aziz Mian was one of the non-traditional Pakistani Qawwals. His voice was raspy and powerful. Aziz Mian was the only prominent qawwal to write his own lyrics (though, like others, he also performed songs written by other poets).[3] Aziz Mian was a contemporary, and often a competitor, of The Sabri Brothers.

His break-out performance was in 1966, when he performed before the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. He won first prize and a gold medal from the Shah of Iran.[4] In the early days of his career, he was nicknamed Fauji Qawwal (Urdu: فوجی قوال‎) (meaning "Military Qawwal") because most of his early stage-performances were in military barracks for the army personnel. He was known for a "more recitative, more dramatic diction" and was inclined toward qawwali's religious rather than entertainment qualities,[5] though he also enjoyed success in more romantic qawwalis.

He was fond of discussing religious and Sufi paradoxes in his qawwalis. He directly addressed Allah and complained about the misery of man (the greatest creation of the Almighty). In addition to his own poetry, Aziz Mian performed poetry by Allama Iqbal, and a number of contemporary Urdu poets, including S M Sadiq, Saifuddin Saif and Qateel Shifai.[3]

Aziz Mian Was Considered As One Of The Greatest Sufi Singers, Some Of His Masterworks Include Nabi Nabi Ya Nabi Nabi, Teri Soorat & Main Sharabi, Allah Hi Jane Kaun Bashar Hai, Haye Kambakht Tune Pee Hi Nahi, Baksh Deta Toh Baat Kuch Bhi Na Thi, Aadmi Hai Benazir, Tere Ishq Nachaya, Aasmaan Se Utaara Gaya, And Mujhe Azmaane Wale.

Later Hits Included Ishq Ka Devta Hussain, Daba Ke Chal Diye, Jannat Mujhe Mile Na Mila, Yeh Hai Maikada, Chadar Fatima Ki, Woh Dil Hi Kya, And Aaj Ki Raat Hai.

Death

Aziz Mian died from complications of hepatitis in Tehran, Iran on 6 December 2000.[1] He was in Iran at the invitation of the Government of Iran, to perform on the occasion of Imam Ali's death anniversary.[6] He is buried in Multan, on the brink of Nau Bahar Nehar[Canal].[1] His death anniversary (Urs) is celebrated every year on the first Thursday of May, the Urs celebrations commence with the 'Ghusal' ceremony conducted by Mian Saheb's son Shibli Aziz and Rasm e Sandal of Baba Nadir Hussain famously known as 'Tootan Wali Sarkar' who is a murid of Aziz Mian. The Urs celebrations continue for three days, starting with 'Ghusal' followed by 'Chadar Poshi' and 'Mehfil e Samaa' (Urdu: Mehfil-e-Samaa‎) of Qawwali ('samaa' means the listening audience in Urdu and Arabic). Around seven to eight qawal groups perform. The Celebration terminates after the last ritual of 'Qul'. The Urs (death anniversary) celebration are organized by Shibli Aziz Mian, who is more interested in mysticism and Sufi traditions. He is promoting and propagating these spiritual heritage of his father and have a quite a number of disciples (Mureeds) and followers.

Family

Aziz Mian had five sons Amir Khusro, Junaid, Tabreiz, Imran and Faran who all followed in his footsteps.[7] They are very similar in style to Aziz Mian himself and like other sons of famous qawwals (Amjad Sabri for example, or Waheed and Naveed Chishti), they perform many of their father's hits. Tabrez is however considered to be the closest to his father's style. His looks and his style are a mirror image of his father. Tabrez also toured North America for a tribute to Aziz Mian Qawwal.

Selected lyrics

These excerpts are intended to give a flavour of Aziz Mian's poetry. Note the irreverent tone in which he addressed spiritual matters. As is traditional in qawwali (see Qawwali#Song content), Aziz Mian also wrote songs in praise of the joys of drink (meh). These songs embody an extended metaphor, wherein "wine" represents "knowledge of the Divine", the "cupbearer" (saaqi) is God or a spiritual guide, and the "tavern" is the metaphorical place where the soul may (or may not) be fortunate enough to attain spiritual enlightenment. the terms Similarly, the romantic songs represent the soul, abandoned in this world by that cruel and cavalier lover, God, singing of the agony of separation, and the depth of its yearning for reunion.

Hai Allah tera naam to woh tha jo be-ginti lete
 Kya lutf jo gin gin ke tera naam liya
 O lord, your name deserves to be taken countlessly.
What joy can there be in carefully counting it out?
(Aashiqi Dillagi Nahin Hoti)

Kho gaya hai kya khuda jo dhoondhta phirta hai tu?
 Has God got himself lost that you go searching for him everywhere?
(Aashiqi Dillagi Nahin Hoti)

Supne vich mera maahi mileyaa
 Te main paa layi gal vich baawaan
 Dar di maari palak na kholaan
 Kitte pher vichhad na jaawan
 I met my beloved in a dream
And locked my arms around his neck.
Now I don't dare open my eyes
For fear we'll be separated again.
(Akh Larr Gayee Yaar Naal)

Tamaam duniya ko dikha baitthe apna jamaal
 Mera waqt aaya to chilman daal di
 Bade badnaseeb the hum, ke qaraar tak na pauhanche
 Dar-e-yaar tak to pauhanche, dil-e-yaar tak na pauhanche
 You showed your beauty to the whole world.
When it was my turn, you let the curtain fall.
It was my misfortune, that I could not reach this rest.
I could only reach her door, I could not reach her heart.
(Bade Badnaseeb The Hum)

Ay Allah, waiz ki bandagi hai jahannum ke khauf se
 Maine gunah kiye tujhe ghaffar samajh kar
 The preacher is pious only because he's terrified of hell, Lord.
Whereas me, I sinned freely, trusting in your mercy
(Hashr Ke Roz Main Poochhunga)

Woh jahannum bhi mujhe de to karoon shukr ada
 Koi apna hi samajh kar to sazaa deta hai
 Even if he sends me to hell, I will still be grateful,
Since we punish only those who we count as our own
(Jannat Mujhe Mile Na Mile)

Main sharaabi, yaaron mujhe muaaaf karo
 Main nashe mein hoon, yaaron mujhe muaaaf karo
 Sheeshe mein mai, mai mein nasha, main nashe mein hoon
 Ye apni masti hai, jisne machayi hai halchal
 Nasha sharaab mein hota to nachti botal
 I'm a drunkard; forgive me, my friends.
I'm intoxicated; forgive me, my friends.
There's wine in the glass, there's intoxication in the wine, and I am intoxicated.
But, no, this hubbub is of my own nature.
If intoxication lay in the wine, the bottle would do a drunken dance.
(Main Sharaabi Sharaabi)

Jannat jo mile, laa kar maikhaane mein rakh dena
 Kausar ko mere chhote se paimaane mein rakh dena
 Mayyat na meri jaa kar veerane mein rakh dena
 Balki paimaanon mein dafnaa kar maikhaane mein rakh dena
 Saaqi abhi maikhaane ka dar band na karna
 Shaayad mujhe jannat ki hawa raas na aaye
 If they give me paradise, just leave it for me in the tavern.
Pour the entire fountain of paradise into my little goblet.
When I die, don't go leaving my body in some forlorn place.
Just bury me in goblets, and leave them in the tavern.
And, listen, don't lock up the tavern just yet either.
It's entirely possible that paradise won't suit me too well.
(Main Sharaabi Sharaabi)

Tere sawaal ka yaar ab jawaab dete hain
 Ba roz-e-hashr hai, itni bhi jaldbaazi kya
 Zara sharaab to pee lein, hisaab dete hain
 Give me a moment, I'll get to your question.
It's judgement day, so what's the big hurry now?
Some wine first, I'll render my accounts by and by.
(Main Sharaabi Sharaabi)

To farishte poochhenge mehshar mein paakbaazon se
 Gunah kyoon na kare, kya khuda rahim na tha?
 Trust me, the angels will ask the pious on judgement day:
"Why didn’t you sin? Didn’t you trust in God’s mercy?"
(Milegi Sheikh Ko Jannat)

Maine dil diya, pyaar ki hadh thi
 Maine jaan di, aitbaar ki hadh thi
 Mar gaye hum, khuli rahi aankhen
 Yeh mere intezaar ki hadh thi
 I gave my heart; that was the height of love.
I put my life in her hands; that was the height of trust.
I died, but my eyes refused to close.
That was the height of waiting.
(Teri Soorat Nigahon Mein)[8]

Is daulat ko kya karna hai ?
 Yeh soch ke ik din marna hai
 What use is this fortune?
Think: one day you will die.
(Yeh Paisa Kya Karega)

Awards an recognition

For his service in music, the Government of Pakistan awarded him the Pride of Performance medal in 1989.[3]

Official Website

http://www.azizmianqawwal.com/

Albums

  • Aziz Mian - 1976 (EMI Pakistan)
  • Allah Hi Jaane Kaun Bashar Hai - 1976 (EMI Pakistan)
  • Aziz Mian Qawwal & Party - 1977 (EMI Pakistan)
  • Is Tere Sar Ki Qasam - 1978 (EMI Pakistan)
  • Voh Dil Hi Kya - 1978 (EMI Pakistan)
  • Aziz Mian & Others - 1979 (EMI Pakistan)
  • Ashk Aankho Mei Thamte Nahi Hai - 1979 (Emi Pakistan)
  • Nabi Nabi Ya Nabi Nabi - 1980 (EMI Pakistan)
  • Ye Mai Hai Zara Sonch - 1980 (EMI Pakistan)
  • Aaj Ki Raat Hai - 1980 (EMI Pakistan)
  • Aziz Mian Qawwal - 1980 (EMI Pakistan)
  • Aziz Mian Ka Wada - 1981 (EMI Pakistan)
  • Aziz Mian Vol.1 - 1981 (EMI Pakistan)
  • Aziz Mian Vol.2 - 1981 (EMI Pakistan)
  • Aankh Barsi Hai Tere Naam Pe - 1982 (EMI Pakistan)
  • Tha Bhi Mai Aur Hoo Bhi Mai - 1982 (EMI Pakistan)
  • Yeh Paisa Kya Karega - 1983 (EMI Pakistan)
  • Mitti Ki Moorat - 1983 (EMI Pakistan)
  • Shahbaz Qalandar - 1983 (EMI Pakistan)
  • Soey Maikada Na Jaate - 1983 (EMI Pakistan)
  • Hashr Ke Roz Volume - 1 & 2 - 1984 (EMI Pakistan)
  • Jannat Mujhe Mile Na Mile - 1984 (EMI Pakistan)
  • Ae Ri Mai Toh Prem Deewani - 1984 (EMI Pakistan)
  • Aasman Se Utaara Gaya - 1985 (EMI Pakistan)
  • Jalwo Se Muhammad (S) Ke - 1985 (EMI Pakistan)
  • Rag Rag Bole Rasool (S) Meri - 1986 (EMI Pakistan)
  • Bhala Hua Kabeera - 1986 (EMI Pakistan)
  • Is Daur Ke Insaan Se Kuch Bhool Hui Hai - 1990 (EMI Pakistan)
  • Greatest Hits Of Aziz Mian - 1990 (EMI Pakistan)
  • Milegi Shaikh Ko Jannat - 1992 (OSA Records)
  • Sharabee Sharabee Teri Soorat - 1993 (OSA Records)
  • Sharabee Live In England - 1993 (OSA Records)
  • Takhti Vol.30 - 1994 (OSA Records)
  • Taj Dar E Haram Vol.32 - 1994 (OSA Records)
  • Shaam Pae Gayee - 1994 (OSA Records)
  • Wadah - 1995 (OSA Records)
  • Saaya E Mustafa Hussain - 1995 (OSA Records)
  • Sajdah - 1995 (OSA Records)
  • Rut Albeli Vol.4 - 1995 (OSA Records)
  • Naseem E Subha - 1995 (OSA Records)
  • Dhoom - 1995 (OSA Records)
  • Allah Hi Jaane Vol.14 - 1995 (OSA Records)
  • Mere Khoon E Arzoo Ko - 1996 (Sonic Enterprises)
  • Khwaja Piya - 1996 (OSA Records)
  • Khwaja Ki Deewani - 1996 (OSA Records)
  • Ishq Mei Ham - 1996 (OSA Records)
  • Dil Jala - 1996 (OSA Records)
  • Bhar Do Jholi - 1996 (OSA Records)
  • Bewafa Vol.15 - 1996 (OSA Records)
  • Jannat Mujhe Mile - 1997 (OSA Records)
  • Allah Hi Jane Live In England - 1997 (OSA Records)
  • Akhian Dee Gali - 1997 (OSA records)
  • Jaisi Karni Waisi Bharni - 1997 (MovieBox UK)
  • Allah Bahot Bada Hai - 1997 (Moviebox Birmingham)
  • Shikwa Jawab E Shikwa - 1998 (OSA Records)
  • Maati Ke Putle - 1999 (OSA Records)
  • Chaadar Fatima Ki - 1999 (OSA Records)
  • Humen Toh Loot Liya - 1999 (Hi-Tech Music)
  • Bade Badnaseeb Theh Hum - 1999 (Hi-Tech Music)
  • Nas Nas Bole Nabi Nabi (S) - 2003 (OSA Records)
  • Duniya Ka Ajeeb Bazaar - Last Recording - 2003 (OSA Records)
  • Mere Saamne Reh - 2007 (OSA Records)
  • Hum Kaise Guzaara Karte Hai - 2014 (EMI Pakistan)

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 73rd birth anniversary of Aziz Mian qawwal, Dawn (newspaper) Published 17 April 2014, Retrieved 2 July 2018
  2. ↑ Manuel, Peter Lamarche (1993). Cassette culture: popular music and technology in north India. U of Chicago P. p. 125. ISBN 978-0-226-50401-8. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Aziz Mian's Pride of Performance Award info on Dawn (newspaper) Published 17 April 2014, Retrieved 2 July 2018
  4. ↑ Profile of Aziz Mian on urduwire.com website Retrieved 2 July 2018
  5. ↑ Nidel, Richard (2005). World music: the basics. Routledge. p. 247. ISBN 978-0-415-96800-3. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  6. ↑ Anees Hanif. "Aziz Mian Qawwal died 14 years ago today". ARY News website. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  7. ↑ Imran Aziz Mian- like father, like son, on Dawn (newspaper) Published 30 June 2013, Retrieved 2 July 2018
  8. ↑ Qawwali by Aziz Mian on YouTube Retrieved 2 July 2018
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