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This beautiful mural of Amjad Sabri in Korangi will make you smile

Painted by S.M. Raza and his philanthropist friend Aqib Faiz, the mural is their way of preserving Sabri's memory
Updated 27 Jun, 2016

Over the course of Sunday evening, the likeness of slain qawwal Amjad Sabri appeared on a wall in Korangi No 5.

Well-known painter/muralist S.M. Raza and philanthropist Aqib Faiz joined hands to pay tribute to Sabri with nothing but paint and an idea.

Also read: Fans mourn Amjad Sabri, dub him the "Rockstar of Qawwali"

"Aqib is involved in the Wall of Kindness project in Korangi, Karachi. He came up with the idea [of making a mural of Amjad Sabri], but he couldn't draw. He knew of me and my earlier mural projects, so he called me to execute his idea. We painted the mural together," shared Raza about the origins of the mural.

S.M. Raza (left) and Aqib Faiz pose next to their finished mural of Amjad Sabri - Photo courtesy S.M. Raza
S.M. Raza (left) and Aqib Faiz pose next to their finished mural of Amjad Sabri - Photo courtesy S.M. Raza

Painted over three hours - "it was very quick painting," says Raza - the finished mural, situated near the Memon Institute, is a faithful rendering of a photograph taken of Sabri while he performed in Trafo, Budapest. It shows Sabri mid-qawwali, with a finger raised to the skies as he addressed his Creator.

It's how Sabri's many fans and admirers will remember him in the years to come. And the mural's makers hope that their painting will help preserve this memory.

S.M. Raza puts the final touches on the mural | The mural stands near the Memon Insitute in Korangi No 5 - Photos courtesy S.M. Raza
S.M. Raza puts the final touches on the mural | The mural stands near the Memon Insitute in Korangi No 5 - Photos courtesy S.M. Raza

"Because of its huge scale, a mural creates quite an impact on its viewers, so much so that they may never forget the visual," says Raza. "Also, it's very interactive with the public. One can easily convey a message through mural painting on the streets. It can change a common man's thinking."

Work began on the mural at 4pm on Sunday - Photo courtesy S.M. Raza
Work began on the mural at 4pm on Sunday - Photo courtesy S.M. Raza

It's why Raza is bent on covering the city's walls with its heroes. While he isn't sure if he'll paint more murals of Sabri in other locations of Karachi, he knows what he's painting next Sunday: a mural of Edhi.

Comments

Philosopher (from Japan) Jun 27, 2016 12:41pm
Great work guys.
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Saeed Jun 27, 2016 01:07pm
Guys thank you so much!
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syed wasim haider Jun 27, 2016 01:13pm
Very nice way to pay tribute the great legend.
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Raza Jun 27, 2016 01:20pm
We need an Amjab Sabri monument in Karachi, perhaps a towering figure which a slap in the face of those who took his life. If we can statues of politicians surely we can get one for someone loved by perhaps every person in Pakistan
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Karachi Wala Jun 27, 2016 01:25pm
@Raza Great idea
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Rafaqat Ali Jun 27, 2016 01:32pm
Very Nice, I think one of the road in Karachi should be denoted with the name of "Amjad Sabri".
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Dervaish Khan Jun 27, 2016 01:37pm
This is good but they haven't put smile on his face which he always had.
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AHA Jun 27, 2016 01:55pm
Keep Amjad alive this way
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Noor Ahmad Jun 27, 2016 02:02pm
@Raza. Amjad Sabri is well followed in India too ... He is a cultural icon beyond any nation and border.
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Goga Nalaik Jun 27, 2016 02:20pm
Excellent idea to remember #LegendAmjadSabri
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Fareed Hussain Jun 27, 2016 02:26pm
There should be a big status of him at any roundabout
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Farukh Noor Qureshi Jun 27, 2016 02:33pm
What a tribute! Keep it up
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Awan Jun 27, 2016 02:38pm
Pakistan is positive now enemy cant beat our Nation.
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shariq Jun 27, 2016 03:48pm
plz make more of these at more places. love and respect from melb australia.
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Fareed. Ahmed Jun 27, 2016 04:12pm
Thank you S.M.Raza and Aqib Faiz for adding great honour to a larger than Life size Artist.
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Farooq Jawed Jun 27, 2016 04:16pm
It is a beautiful piece of work.................I wish that the mindset in Pakistan changes and there is less emphasis on violence so murals like this of the dead become thing of the past.
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Lotus Jun 27, 2016 04:46pm
On behalf of my entire family and friends residing in DHA phase Six,our most sincere thanks to S.M.Raza and Aqib Faiz for this well timed gesture to late Amjad Sabri sahib from the citizenry of Karachi.We hope it will be not too much to ask if this mural or another one with a different style of Amjad Sabri sahib is made on few other spots in Karachi.It will be it only a befitting tribute but will help nourish Amjad Sabri sahib's fond memories on our minds and the generations to come.Thanks Images.Dawn for publishing a beautiful article!
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noob Jun 27, 2016 04:49pm
There is such a pleasure in living a life like this
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50 Shades of Khaki Jun 27, 2016 05:22pm
@Raza We need to get rid of Taliban, Al-Qaida, ISIS etc. There cannot be a better tribute to Sabri and countless others who were killed in cold blood
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50 Shades of Khaki Jun 27, 2016 05:29pm
@Raza We need to get rid of Taliban, Al-Qaida, ISIS etc. There cannot be a better tribute to Sabri and countless others who were killed in cold blood
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Muhammad Jun 27, 2016 07:02pm
@50 Shades of Khaki well said
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Abid Jun 27, 2016 07:19pm
I love this guy...great job and God speed..
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Zulfiqar_Ahmed Jun 27, 2016 07:20pm
Very nice. 100 percent agree with poster @raza. Erect a statue of Amjad Sabri in karachi. Also one in Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta.
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Aly Jun 27, 2016 07:39pm
Excellent way to pay homage to one of the hero's of the city!!
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Farhan Jun 27, 2016 08:06pm
So how many of our remaining artists will turn into beautiful murals in coming times?
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Sukhi Sukh Jun 27, 2016 09:36pm
@Noor Ahmad sorry. Had never heard of him before his death, unfortunately. Now he's known in India. Had been listening to him for the past 2-3 days and linking him more and more. He is becoming more and more popular along with others as well amongst people who had only heard about Nusarat and Rahat, and also sharng with other realtives and friends in the world. His death has made him much more popular though.
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Asma Ali Jun 27, 2016 11:07pm
@Raza - Agree with your Raza. We don't only need Sabri's monument, but also a qawali training center dedicated to this great qawal where all his work is preserved and where kids are trained to sing qawali and carry on with his tradition. That would be a tight slap on the faces of his killers and haters.
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zack Jun 27, 2016 11:19pm
Great job guys.. You guys ar ethe heroes!! Can you please paint a mural of criminal & thugs TALIBANS and somehow show public how sick they are.
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Patriot Jun 27, 2016 11:38pm
Salute to your great idea, intentions behind it and its beautiful execution
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RAZA SYED Jun 28, 2016 12:36am
NICE WAY TO PAY TRIBUTE TO HEROS LIKE SABRI. NATIONS WHO REMEMBERS THEIR HERSO NEVER DIE.
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Kyoorius Jun 28, 2016 12:36am
Reza and Aqib. Thank you and My best wishes to you guys for future endeavors. Keep up the good work.
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Farooq Jun 28, 2016 02:47am
R I P Amjad
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Kashif Jun 28, 2016 08:56am
Great work guys
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Ahmar Qureshi Jun 28, 2016 09:43am
Sincere Love from these artists that speaks in Murals for a Dearest Departed!
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Mahmood Jun 28, 2016 11:17am
Mahmood from Houston we love him he was a great man he used to visit us with his great Qawalli's and Manqabat he was great. Raza and Aqib is great too God Bless them making these Mural there should be more too in every city of Pakistan
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Raju Jun 29, 2016 11:15am
For us Hindus, he's our music bhagwan.
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Rajpar Jun 30, 2016 10:26am
You people shine us, proud of your work and above all creative initiatives. Love you guys
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