Besides their message of love and harmony, Shah’s poetry and music compositions have always been popular among Sindh’s old and young.

The tradition of Faqirs singing at the shrine is 300-year old. They sing Shah’s verses to the accompaniment of Tambooro (a variation of an Arabic stringed instrument, invented by Shah Latif) almost round the clock.

There are 80 Faqirs who sing in 14 groups with each group assigned a day or a night.

A singing session usually starts with Sur Kalyan, opening chapter of Shah jo Risalo, the anthology of Shah Latif, flowed by other Surs, according to time of the day and season.

In monsoon, Sur Sarang (the rain raga) is sung and on the 14th night of a lunar month, Sur Khambhat is sung. Shah addresses moon in Sur Khambhat as he praises the beauty of his beloved and narrates the pain of separation.

In the middle of the session comes Sur Suhni with a particular prayer called Suhni ji Dua.

The popular Sur Rano is sung at late night and the session comes ends with Sur Marui early in the morning.

Sur Sasui Abri - Faqirs of Bhitshah

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To Watch Video Click links below:

Watch on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10154023942620521
Watch on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/91814472
Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wugxfx9YG4I


Lyrics Translated in English 

My Friend Meena

My friend Meena (a doll) and I 
Make for the dreams everyday;
We wish to make a world as good as heaven.
My friend Meena (a doll) and I 
Make for the dreams everyday;
We wish to make a world as good as heaven.

A world of yours and mine 
Where the people precede the religion; 
A world of yours and mine 
Where the people precede the religion

Where the trees, birds, cheetahs and deer 
Would live like friends here;
There is a religion only where there is love; 
Where people would hate the hatred;
Where the fortune would appear like a rainbow; 
And people would be bright like daylight;
We wish to make a world as good as heaven.


This is the river, Oh my sister! 
Which is free of all wickedness;
These seas, forests, deserts and mountains 
Play with me gleefully;
These butterflies fly along the roads;
My feelings soar high in the sky;
We wish to make a world as good as heaven.
 
My friend Meena (a doll) and I 
Make for the dreams everyday;
We wish to make a world as good as heaven.
A world of yours and mine 
Where the people precede the religion; 
A world of yours and mine 
Where the people precede the religion

Band: The Sketches
Song: Meena 
Language: Sindhi
Lyrics: Ishaq Samejo
Recorded: Lahooti Studios (Jamshoro Sindh)
Guitars: Omran Shafique 
Mix Master: Jono Manson (New Mexico, Santa Fe US)
Arranged & Produced by: The Sketches

Meena is inspiration from many musicians and artists who have been escalating their word out for education, and have been motivating people for education. Recording Meena also enlarged the kid residing in me.  The concern for education could not have been addressed any better than in language of child who is curious to learn and explore. Let’s spread the word of education with the aroma of Music in the air.

Meena - The Sketches

Ishq Anokhri Peerh - Ustad Shafqat Ali Khan

Sajda Kar Ke Qadam - E-yaar Pe Qurbaan Hona - Farid Ayaz Qawwal

Kaliyan Sang Karat Hai Rang Raliyan -  Raag Bahar

This was performed at T2F, and it is an absolutely beautiful rendition. It is very different from the old one as they are many new giraahs.  
Here is a video link: https://vimeo.com/150773092

Ishq Mein Tere Koh-e-Gham - Subhan Nizami (New Rendition)

Jal Bhi Chuke Parwaney (Ustaad Mehdi Hassan Khan Sahib)

Sajda Kar Ke Qadam E Yaar Pe Qurban Hona - Fareed Ayaz - Abu Muhammad Qawwal  Party.mp3

A collection of Faiz Ahmed Faiz's ghazals, sung /recited by artists such as Noor Jehan, Mehdi Hasan, Iqbal Bano, Nayyara Noor, Tina Sani, Farida Khanum and Faiz himself.

Sajda Kar Ke Qadam - E-yaar Pe Qurbaan Hona - Farid Ayaz Qawwal

Qasim Abidi