KARACHI: Amjad Sabri’s death on Wednesday afternoon sent shock waves across the country. The moment the news of his death was broken by television channels, his admirers and colleagues began to flock to his home in the densely populated locality of Liaquatabad.

Talking to Dawn, Abu Muhammad of the renowned Farid Ayaz-Abu Muhammad qawwal group, said: “He was a great man. God had given both his father and him talent and respect. I pray for his maghfirat. [His death] has created a big vacuum.

“Amjad’s singing reflected his father’s style. He sang the kalaam that his father used to sing. It is in that context that he was very blessed. His brothers also performed with him but of course he was the one who led them. Also, he had tremendous respect for his elders, which is why today I stand at his home, mourning his death,” said Abu Muhammad.

Zaman Zaki Tajee, another distinguished qawwal, said: “He was a beautiful prince among the qawwals. The genre of qawwali is proud of him. He was the son of a great father, and it had taken him no time to earn a name for himself which in itself is an accomplishment. It’s a global loss. His father was like the identity of qawwali. And he himself was a name to reckon with.”

Music composer Arshad Mahmud said: “It’s downright cruel (zulm hai). He was a very nice boy. I’m saddened by the news. As for his singing, he was fond of the way his father performed, and that showed in his style.”

Sharif Awan of Tehzeeb Foundation said: “I feel sad. I had met his father during his last days. He was not happy with his brother (Maqbool) at the time. He was a great qawwal.”

Sitar player Nafis Ahmed said: “He always had a smile on his face. He was a kind-hearted soul. The entire family was very generous; there were a lot of families that they helped and no one knew about it. His voice had the lustre (chamak) of his father’s voice. When he came into the limelight, we were pleasantly surprised, as if we were listening to his father live again.”

Another qawwal, Taufique Niazi, said: “It’s a big loss for the country. I don’t think we’ll be able to forget this. A big name in our field is no more. He contributed a lot to qawwali. I appeal to Nawaz Sharif and Raheel Sharif to arrest those who have killed him.”

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2016