Faqeer Amir Bakhsh performed at numerous radio stations across West Pakistan and regularly participated in cultural festivals
(Note: This article, written by Shaikh Aziz around 1968, has been translated and published as a memorable piece. Faqeer Amir Bakhsh, born in 1918, passed away in 1986. According to “Encyclopedia Sindhiana,” Amir Bakhsh was influenced by his father, a student of Manthar Faqeer Rajar, making Rajar his “Grand-Mentor.” – Translator)
By Shaikh Aziz | Translated by Yasir Qazi
It would be unfair to say about Sindhi music that its essence is borrowed from the music system of another region. Sindhi music boasts a distinct identity, defying categorization as solely folk or classical. Its unique arrangement and presentation style set it apart, making it better suited to a three-part classification.
The first category encompasses Ragas, sung by poets through their verse and set to specific tunes. The second part reflects daily life, incorporating folk songs and comic tunes that resonate with our routines. The third segment is deeply rooted in spirituality, giving rise to the mystic/Sufi style of singing that has evolved through years of dedication and practice.
Among the Faqeers, Dervishes, Sufis, and poets of Sindh who have contributed significantly to this rich heritage is Manthar Faqeer Rajar also. His legacy continued through Faqeer Amir Bakhsh, the sole singer preserving Rajar’s style.
Born in 1918 at Goth Bakhshan Khan Kaloi Baloch, Taluka Sinjhoro, District Sanghar, Sindh, Faqeer Amir Bakhsh hailed from a wealthy landlord family. His passion for music began in childhood, nurtured by attending gatherings of renowned public singers. This exposure sparked his desire to learn music formally.
Under the guidance of Paryal Faqeer Bheel, son of Chibhirr Faqeer Bheel and disciple of Faqeer Manthar Rajar, Amir Bakhsh honed his craft. He became an accomplished artist, representing Sindh as a celebrated folk singer.
Faqeer Amir Bakhsh performed at numerous radio stations across West Pakistan and regularly participated in cultural festivals in various regions and cities. His distinctive singing style, characterized by pain, longing, and sweetness, reflected the essence of traditional Sindhi music.
He preferred accompanying his performances with traditional instruments like the Yaktaro (Iktara), Kharta’al, Chhair (Ghungharu) Stick, and Gharra (Matka).
Read: Ustad Muhammad Juman – Unsung Hero of Sindhi Music World
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The author was a trilingual journalist, academician, researcher, historian, and cultural critic from Sindh, who worked with major English, Sindhi, and Urdu newspapers in Pakistan. His books cover a range of subjects, including ethnomusicology, culture, general and political history, and anthropology of Sindh.
The translator is a prolific writer, researcher, and media expert, boasting an impressive portfolio as a freelance journalist, poet, prose writer, and translator. Author of 12 Sindhi books, he regularly pens columns and articles for esteemed English, Urdu, and Sindhi newspapers and digital platforms.
