Iqbal Bahu

Iqbal Bahu (Urdu: اقبال باہو; 4 September 1944 – 24 March 2012) was a Pakistani sufi and a folk singer.[1] He is considered one of the greatest folk singers in subcontinent.[2]

Muhammad Iqbal Bahu
Born(1944-09-04)4 September 1944
Gurdaspur, British India
Died24 March 2012(2012-03-24) (aged 67)
Lahore, Pakistan
OccupationSinger
Years active1964 – 2012
Known forFolk, ghazal
AwardsTamgha-i-Imtiaz (Medal of Excellence) Award by the Government of Pakistan in 2008

Early life and career

Iqbal Bahu was born as Muhammad Iqbal in Gurdaspur, British India in 1944.[1] His family migrated to Pakistan after partition in 1947, and settled in Lahore. Iqbal started his career as a banker. He worked for National Bank of Pakistan from 1971 to 1997, but his singing in Sufi music brought him fame and recognition. Bahu started his singing career in 1964 from Radio Pakistan, Lahore. He was introduced to Radio by Muhammad Azam Khan, former chief controller Radio Pakistan. His involvement in the mysticism of the 17th century well-known Sufi saint Sultan Bahu made him add Bahu to his name. He held a special command in Punjabi language poetry of Sufi tradition and included works of other saints such as Fariduddin Ganjshakar in his repertoire. In the beginning, he sang mainly for Radio Pakistan and then later for Pakistan Television. Playwright Amjad Islam Amjad also created a small role for Bahu in drama serial Waris. He mastered the Sufi tradition of well-known saint Sultan Bahu. He sang many Sufiana songs for the Radio Pakistan and the Pakistan Television.[1]

He also gave concert performances around the globe in his later life including at BBC Bush House, London in 1992.[3] He was awarded Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Medal of Excellence) Award by the Government of Pakistan in 2008.[4]

Death

Bahu died on 24 March 2012 due to a heart attack in Lahore at age 68 and was laid to rest at Miani Sahib Graveyard, Lahore next day. Among the survivors were his wife, 3 daughters and 2 sons.[2]

Awards

References
  1. Iqbal Bahu dies Dawn (newspaper), Published 24 March 2012, Retrieved 23 October 2021
  2. Sufi singer Iqbal Bahu passes away The Nation (newspaper), Published 24 March 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2021
  3. Folk singer Iqbal Bahu died BBC News website, Published 24 March 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2021
  4. Sufi singer Bahu dies The Nation (newspaper), Published 25 March 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2021
  5. Musical evening The Nation (newspaper), Published 23 May 2011, Retrieved 23 October 2021
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