Aziz Mian
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| Aziz Mian | ||
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 Aziz Mian Qawwal
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| Background information | ||
| Birth name | Abdul Aziz | |
| Also known as | Aziz Mian Mairthi Aziz Mian Qawwal |
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| Born | April 17, 1942 | |
| Origin | Lahore, Pakistan | |
| Died | December 6, 2000 | |
| Genre(s) | Qawwali | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter Musician |
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| Instrument(s) | Harmonium | |
| Years active | 1970 - 2000 | |
Aziz Mian Qawwal (Urdu: عزیز میاں قوال) (April 17, 1942 – December 6, 2000) was one of Pakistan's most famous Qawwals.
Aziz Mian is responsible for the longest commercially released qawwali, "Hashr Ke Roz Yeh Poochhunga", which runs slightly over 115 minutes, and was originally released on two cassettes.
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[edit] Background
He was born in Delhi, British India as Abdul Aziz (Urdu: عبد العزیز) but the exclamation "Mian" (Urdu: میاں), which he often used in his qawwalis, became part of his stage name. He began to introduce himself as Aziz Mian Mairthi. The word "Mairthi" refers to "Mairath", a town in India, from which he migrated to Pakistan after the creation of the new country.
Aziz Mian was one of the more traditional Pakistani qawwals. His voice was raspy and powerful, but this was not the sole reason for his success. Aziz Mian was not only a great singer but also a great philosopher. He was the only prominent qawwal to write his own lyrics (though, like others, he also sang songs written by other poets). Aziz Mian obtained a degree in Urdu and Arabic from the University of Punjab, Lahore.
In the early days of his career, he was nicknamed "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 audience's hearts. He brought a lot of passion to his live performances. One of the trademarks of his stage performances was his habit of getting carried away and rising to his knees (from the normal sitting position) while reciting poetry in the middle of a qawwali, losing contact with the microphone in the process.
Although Aziz Mian mainly sang religious qawwalis, he also had some success in the romantic field. Some of Aziz Mian's most famous qawwalis are "Main Sharabi Sharabi", also known as "Teri Soorat", "Allah Hi Jaane Kaun Bashar Hai", and "Ya Nabi" also known as "Nabi Nabi Ya".
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. He also has performed poetry by a number of contemporary Urdu poets, including Sadiq and Qateel Shifai. 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."
[edit] Main Sharabi Sharabi
The Sabri Brothers criticized his qawwali "Main Sharabi Sharabi" (I am an Alcoholic, I am an Alcoholic) through their own qawwali "Peena Veena Chhor Sharabi" (Quit Drinking, Alcoholic). Aziz Mian retorted with "Hai Kambakht Toone Pee Hi Nahi" (Alas You Haven't Drunk). After the release of Aziz Mian's response, "Main Sharabi Sharabi" is coupled with "Hai Kambakht Toone Pee Hi Nahi" in newly released volumes.
[edit] Selected Lyrics
Hai Allah tera naam to woh tha jo be-ginti lete
Kya lutf jo gin gin ke tera naam liya
O lord, your name deserves to be taken countlessly.
What joy can there be in carefully counting it out?
(Aashiqi Dillagi Nahin Hoti)
Kho gaya hai kya khuda jo dhoondhta phirta hai tu?
Has God got himself lost that you go searching for him everywhere?
(Aashiqi Dillagi Nahin Hoti)
Tamaam duniya ko dikha baitthe apna jamaal
Mera waqt aaya to chilman daal di
Bade badnaseeb the hum, ke qaraar tak na pauhanche
Dar-e-yaar tak to pauhanche, dil-e-yaar tak na pauhanche
You showed the whole world your beauty.
When it was my turn, you let the curtain fall.
It was my misfortune, that I could not reach this rest.
I could only reach her door, I could not reach her heart.
(Bade Badnaseeb The Hum)
Ay Allah, waiz ki bandagi hai jahannum ke khauf se
Maine gunah kiye tujhe ghaffar samajh kar
The preacher is pious only because he’s terrified of hell, Lord.
Whereas me, I sinned freely, trusting in your mercy
(Hashr Ke Roz Main Poochhunga)
Jahannum ko bhi de do to karoon shukar ada
Koi to apna samajh kar sazaa deta hai
Even if you send me to hell, I will still be grateful,
Since punishment is only for those you count as your own
(Jannat Mujhe Mile Na Mile)
Main sharaabi, yaaron mujhe muaaaf karo
Main nashe mein hoon, yaaron mujhe muaaaf karo
Sheeshe mein main, main mein nasha, main nashe mein hoon
Ye apni masti hai, jisne machayi hai halchal
Nasha sharaab mein hota to nachti botal
I'm a drunkard; forgive me, my friends.
I'm drunk; forgive me, my friends.
There's wine in the glass, there's intoxication in the wine, and I am intoxicated.
But, no, it is my own nature that has created this hubbub.
If intoxication lay in the wine, the bottle would do a drunken dance.
(Main Sharaabi Sharaabi)
Jannat jo mile, laa kar maikhaane mein rakh dena
Kausar ko mere chhote se paimaane mein rakh dena
Mayyat na meri jaa kar veerane mein rakh dena
Balki paimaanon mein dafnaa kar maikhaane mein rakh dena
Saaqi abhi maikhaane ka dar band na karna
Shaayad mujhe jannat ki hawa raas na aaye
When you find paradise, just leave it for me in the tavern.
Pour the entire fountain of paradise into my little wine-glass.
When I die, don't go leaving my body in some forlorn place.
Just bury me in wine-glasses, and leave me in the tavern.
And, listen, don't lock up the tavern just yet either.
It's entirely possible that paradise won't suit me too well.
(Main Sharaabi Sharaabi)
Is daulat ko kya karna hai ?
Yeh soch ke ik din marna hai
What use is this fortune?
Think: one day you will die.
(Yeh Paisa Kya Karega)
Supne vich mera maahi mileyaa
Te main paa layi gal vich baawaan
Dar di maari palak na kholaan
Kitte pher vichhad na jaawan
I met my beloved in a dream
And locked my arms around his neck.
Now I don't dare open my eyes
For fear we'll be separated again.
(???)
Maine dil diya, pyaar ki hadh thi
Maine jaan di, aitbaar ki hadh thi
Mar gaye hum, khuli rahi aankhen
Yeh mere intezaar ki hadh thi
I gave my heart; that was the height of love.
I put my life in his hands; that was the height of trust.
I died, but my eyes wouldn't shut.
That was the height of waiting.
(???)
[edit] Death
Aziz Mian died from complications of hepatitis in Tehran (Iran) on December 6, 2000. He was in Iran at the invitation of the Iranian government, to perform on the occasion of Imam Ali's (cousin of 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.
[edit] External links
- Aziz Mian Qawwali and Songs
- Aziz Mian Video--Epic Films (Need Broadband High speed Internet to View)
- Aziz Mian Lyrics PakVille (A few Aziz Mian Qawwali lyrics)
