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Sabri Brothers

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The Sabri Brothers were a famous musical group from Pakistan.

Ghulam Farid Sabri Qawwal
Ghulam Farid Sabri Qawwal

They were masters of Sufi qawwali music. This special music is tied to the Chishti Order. The brothers were so skilled that people called them Shahanshah-e-Qawwali. This means they were the "King of Kings of Qawwali." They were also known as roving ambassadors for their country.

MaqboolAhmedSabriQawwal
MaqboolAhmedSabriQawwal

Their music was full of feeling and rhythm. People often felt like they were watching dancing dervishes when they heard it.

Performing qawwali involves many talented people working together. The group used instruments like the harmonium, which is a keyboard instrument. They also used the tabla, which are hand drums. Other members played the dholak, a drum, or the tanpura, a long-necked string instrument. Many people in the group provided the chorus. They also used clapping to keep a steady beat.

This combination of voices and drums created a powerful sound. The music often used improvised vocals and mesmeric drones.

Music was a very important part of the brothers' family history. Their father, Inayat Hussain Sabri, taught them qawwali and classical music. The family even claimed they were related to Mian Tansen. He was a famous musician for the Mughal emperor Akbar in the 1500s.

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Ghulam Farid Sabri 4
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Ghulam Farid Sabri 4

Maqbool Ahmed Sabri started a group called Bacha Qawwal Party at age eleven. Later, his brother Ghulam Farid Sabri joined the group. Their father insisted that Ghulam Farid become the leader of the ensemble.

SabriBrothersInIndia1977
SabriBrothersInIndia1977

The brothers traveled to many different countries to perform. In 1975, they became the first Asian artists to play at Carnegie Hall in New York. They were also the first qawwali artists to perform in the United States and Europe. In 1977, they toured India and played for many famous people. They even recorded an album for the UNESCO Collection of Traditional Music in 1977.

SabriInNottingham1991
SabriInNottingham1991

They performed in many places like London, Bradford, and Manchester in England. They also toured South Africa in 1975.

SabriBrothersinWOMADfestival
SabriBrothersinWOMADfestival

The Sabri Brothers used their fame to help others in need. They held charity concerts to build a school for children in Abu Dhabi. In 1972, they raised money for earthquake relief in Pakistan. They also performed to help build the Karachi School of Art in 1979. When they toured South Africa, they donated money to help people facing famine. They even donated a car to help develop programs for poor children. Their music was not just for listening, but for doing good work.

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🖼️ Images & Media (13)
File:Ghulam_Farid_Sabri_Qawwal.jpg
Ghulam_Farid_Sabri_Qawwal.jpg
File:MaqboolAhmedSabriQawwal.jpg
MaqboolAhmedSabriQawwal.jpg
File:SabriBrothersInIndia1977.jpg
SabriBrothersInIndia1977.jpg
File:Sabri Brothers In Concert.jpg
Sabri Brothers In Concert.jpg
File:SabriInFrance.jpg
SabriInFrance.jpg
File:SabriBrothersinWOMADfestival.jpg
SabriBrothersinWOMADfestival.jpg
File:SabriInNottingham1991.jpg
SabriInNottingham1991.jpg
File:Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Ghulam Farid Sabri 4.jpg
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Ghulam Farid Sabri 4.jpg
File:GhulamFaridSabriAmjadSabriInEngland.jpg
GhulamFaridSabriAmjadSabriInEngland.jpg
File:SabribrothersInBhopal.jpg
SabribrothersInBhopal.jpg
File:SabriBrothers1996.jpg
SabriBrothers1996.jpg
File:Sabribrosinmoscow.jpg
Sabribrosinmoscow.jpg

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