Aziz Mian
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Aziz Mian (Urdu: عزیز میاں) (April 17, 1942 – December 6, 2000) is one of Pakistan's most famous singers of qawwali. He was born in Dehli, India.
Aziz Mian was one of the more traditional Pakistani Qawwals. His voice was high pitched and powerful, but this was not the reason for his success. Aziz Mian was not only a great singer but also a great philosopher and often wrote his poems. Aziz Mian obtained a degree in Urdu and Arabic from the University of Punjab, Lahore.
His real name was Abdul Aziz but his expletive "Mian" (Urdu: میاں), which he used a lot in his qawwalis, became part of his name. He introduced himself as Aziz Mian Mairthi. "Mairthi" refers to "Mairath", a city in India, from which he migrated to Pakistan after the creation of the new country.
In the early days of his career, he was nicknamed as "Fauji Qawwal" (Urdu: فوجی قوال) (meaning "Military Qawwal") because most of his early stage-performances were in military barracks for army personnel.
He was arrested multiple times on minor charges but was vindicated.
Aziz Mian's qawwalis focused more on chorus and on emphasising the main point of the qawwali through repetition; very little attention was paid to the musical part of the qawwali. Aziz Mian had a knack for reciting poetry to the effect that touched the audiences hearts. Although Aziz Mian mainly sang religious qawwalis he also had some success in the romantic field. Aziz Mian's most famous qawwali's are "Main Sharabi Main Sharabi", also known as "Teri Soorat" and "Allah He Jaanay Kaun Bashar Hai".
Main Sharabi
He was fond of discussing religious and sufi paradoxes in his qawwalis. He directly addressed Allah (God) and complained about the misery of man (the best creation of the Almighty). Most of the poetry in which Aziz Mian addressed Allah, was written by Allama Iqbal. Pakistani comedian, Umar Sharif has said in one of his stand-up shows about Aziz Mian: "Other people have disputes on earth, his disputes are in heaven. He altercates with Allah."Sabri Brothers criticised his most famous qawwali "Main Sharabi Main Sharabi" (I am Alcoholic, I am Alcoholic) with their own qawwali "Peena Veena Chhor Sharabi" (Quit Drinking, Alcoholic). It was retorted by Aziz Mian with "Hai Kam-Bakht Too Ne Pee Hee Nahi" (Alas You Haven't Drunk). After the release of Aziz Mian's response, "Main Sharabi Main Sharabi" is coupled with "Hai Kam-Bakht Too Ne Pee Hee Nahi" in newly released volumes.
Death
Aziz Mian died from complications of hepatitis in Tehran (Iran) on December 6, 2000. He was in Iran on the invitation by the Iranian government for performance on the occasion of Imam Ali's (cousin of Prophet Muhammad) death anniversary. Aziz Mian has two sons Imran and Tabrez, who are following in his footsteps. Both qawwals are very similar in style to Aziz Mian himself.External links
- [Aziz Mian Qawwali and Songs]
- [Aziz Mian Video]--Epic Films (Need Broadband High speed Internet to View)
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