by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

“Music is expression of harmony in sound;
Love is the expression of harmony in life”-Stephen Gaskin

Sain Zahoor Ahmad is a leading Sufi singer in Pakistan. He performed at Peeru’s Café in Lahore on October 10th 2009 in front of the 200 visiting female journalist delegates (South Asian Women in Media) from eight South Asian countries- Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka.

It was a surprise treat for us, given by SAFMA (South Asian Free Media Association). The concert began at night and went on till late night, chilled by dew.

We were welcome with fresh Red rose at the main entrance. We heard the sounds of tunes were being set, and the rehearsal, as we walked into the open air on the passage surrounded by green grass on either side.

He was dressed in Black colour long Kurtha with Gold thread embroidered work all over the top of his Kurtha. Tightly bound matching Black colour turban added more elegance to his charming and spiritual face. He has a beard and a long untied hair.

Various colours of bead rings, and bead chains added more colour to his appearance. A pair of Black and Gold matching Khusay, Lahori traditional shoes was kept on the floor in front of him. He sits on a low level wooden stage which was covered with a piece of white cloth, and fresh flower petals sprinkled in two triangle shape. Another four instrumentalists accompanied him on the stage.

Sain Zahoor Ahmad slowly began to sing. The women journalists began to capture him.

Sain Zahoor Ahmad, at Peeru’s Cafe on Oct 10-I

He often sings at Dargahs (Sufi shrines and tombs). Sain performs at music festivals as well. He has adopted the folk instrument Ektara (ek-one, tar – string), in its three-stringed version called Tumbi as his main instrument. He indulges himself completely while singing. Sain Zahoor Ahmad is a passionate singer, whose earthy tone vibrates the vicinity.

Sain Zahoor Ahmad won the “Best BBC Voice of the Year 2006”. He was born in 1945 in Okara/ Sahiwal in Punjab Province. He was the youngest in the family, and started to sing at the age of five. He had dreamt of a hand beckoning him towards a shrine. He left home at the age of thirteen, roaming the Sufi shrines of Sind, Punjab and liberated Kashmir.

Eventually, Sain Zahoor Ahmad was walking past a small shrine in the south Punjab town of Uch Sharif which is known for its Sufi traditions. At the age of five, I dreamt of a hand rising up from a grave that directed me towards a shrine. I saw the same dream every night for three years. It made me restless and I could not sleep at night.

Once in a month of Ramazan I came across mystically and spiritually well reputed person Ustad Sain Ranuka Ali who lived at a shrine and used to play with Ektara. Someone waved at me with his hand, inviting me in, and I suddenly realised that it was this hand which I saw in my dream. There I met Ustad Sain Raunka Ali of Patiala.” said Sain Zahoor Ahmad, while tears filled his eyes, and his voice cracked through an Urdu speaking woman journalist.

His first lesson in the Sufi Kalams was under Ustad Sain Ranuka Ali. He mostly sings compositions of the major Sufi poets such as Bulleh Shah, Mullah Shah Badakshi, Muhammad Buksh and others. The Kalams are verses of poetry redolent with devotional love, which are sung with the passion and power needed to give listeners a chance of actually knowing the mystery of God.

Sain Zahoor Ahmad was invited to the All Pakistan Music Conference in 1989 where he performed on a stage for the first time in front of a big audience. About 2000 audience enjoyed his Sufi songs emotionally. He has given concerts in United Kingdom, Ireland , USA, Canada, UAE, Dubai, Norway, Europe, Denmark, Brussels, Belgium, Brazil, England, China, Japan, India, Britain, Malaysia and South Africa. He has acquired international recognition in the recent years. He cannot read or write, in order to memorise lyrics, he developed his own language of symbols. He draws dolls and sketches and interprets them with their postures.

“I devoted my heart and soul to music. Shukria (Thank you), Al-Hafeez (May Almighty Allah Bless You)” said gently Sain Zahoor Ahmad, when I bid Good Bye.

Here is more audio from Sain Zahoor Ahmad, performing at the Peeru’s Cafe in Lahore on Oct 10th:

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Peeru’s Cafe is situated in a pleasant environment

Fresh flower petals are sprinkled

Sain Ahmed Zahoor is renowned for his magical voice

Sain Ahmed Zahoor cannot read or write, but he remembers the lyrics

He is greatly admired by music lovers arond the world

He performed for Pakistan television 35 years ago

His contribution to folk and Sufi music is enormous. Music lovers feel that he deserves “Pride of Performance”

A pair of colourful Khusay

Capturing the moments

He speaks pure Thait Punjabi

“Your love, passion and devotion are all consuming” says Sain Zahoor Ahmad

Once he starts reciting Sufi Kalam he forgets his physical being

Ghungroos (Anklet bells) add rhythm to the show

Music has no boundaries or borders

A young admirer at the concert

Sain Zahoor Ahmad’s songs made the audience to dance
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HumanityAshore.org ~ Email: dushi.pillai@gmail.com