Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Devoted to music: Abid Iqbal’s top ten tracks

BIRMINGHAM-BASED Abid Iqbal is an interna­tional promoter of tilawat, naat and qawwali music. He has worked with some of the biggest artists in these three fields of Islamic spiritual music since 2003. In a Ramadan special, Eastern Eye got Abid to talk us through the 10 Muslim devotional music he loves most...

Surah Ar Rahman by Qari Karamat Ali Naemi: This is a tilawat by one of Pakistan’s top qaris. It’s a recitation from the holy Quran, which was re­vealed in Ramadan. It brings you back down to reality and says: ‘Which of the favours of your lord will you deny.’ I had the honour of organis­ing this great artist’s tour back in 2011.


Allah Hu Allah Hu by Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan: This is a qawwali familiar to most fans of Sufi music. It is also the first one I heard live at Small Heath Park, Birmingham, and the reason I am a qawwali promoter today. This is also the most loved qawwali by all faiths and religions.

Allah Allah Phir Hum Ma­dine Chale by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan: This naat has been done so simply with­out too much instruments. It’s the naat you would listen to once you have done hajj and want to go again. Rahat toured with sayarts.com back in 2003.

Maa Di Shaan by Qari Shahid Mehmood: This beautifully-crafted naat makes you cry because it makes reference to the love for mothers and has so much feeling attached to it.

Tajdar-e-Haram by Atif Aslam: The Pakistani superstar singer took on a naat made famous by qawwali group Sabri Brothers and presented it in a brand new way on Coke Studio. The lyrics encourages you to perform umrah and hajj.

Shah-e-Madina by Sahira Naseem: The won­derfully-talented singer has delivered perhaps the best version of this naat in her soulful voice. There is so much meaning in the lyrics and emo­tion in the voice that resonates with the listener.

Zameen Maili Nahi Hoti by Shahbaz Qamar Fareedi: This naat is the reason why I should continue promoting devotional music for the benefit of this world and hereafter. It’s another naat with so much depth and meaning.

Utho Aye Momino Mahe Ramzan Aaya by Mohd Rafi: The late great Bollywood legend gave us this great gift, which is a wake up call on the importance of Ramadan. It is just a beauti­ful composition!

Apni Rehmat Ke Samundar Mein Utar Jaane De by Khalid Hasnain Khalid: This is a great composition delivered by a most excellent re­citer of naat. I had the honour of organising his tour in 2012 and saw just how much his musical message resonated with audiences.

Kash Main Doure Payamber by Farhan Ali Waris: This is a naat that takes you back in time and makes you imagine what it would have been like living in the times of the prophet (peace be upon him). Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed Ramadan.

  • Visit www.sayarts.com for more

More For You

16. Barfi Priyanka Chopra 9 PM
Barfi
Barfi

Valentine's Day special: 17 distinctive Bollywood romances

WHETEHR it’s love triangles, star-crossed lovers, or couples bridging social divides, Bollywood has long been built on a foundation of formula-driven romances. However, across the decades, some films have dared to do things differently, offering unique takes on love.

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, Eastern Eye has curated a watchlist of distinctive romantic films from Bollywood, listed in chronological order.

Keep ReadingShow less
Indian mica paintings capture‘common man’ of 18th century

Mica paintings focused on daily life, traders, customs and costumes

Indian mica paintings capture‘common man’ of 18th century

RATNA VIRA, author of Art Under the Indian Sun: Evolution of Artistic Themes in the British Period – it contains stunning paintings of “ordinary” people in 18th century India done on mica – seems to be a renaissance woman.

Or a Delhi celebrity with a very busy life. She writes fiction and non-fiction, paints and collects art.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dr Punam Krishan: ‘My book inspires children to appreciate their bodies’

Dr Punam Krishan

Dr Punam Krishan: ‘My book inspires children to appreciate their bodies’

AN ASIAN doctor said she wants children to feel excited and empowered about their bodies when they read her new book.

Published last month, Dr Punam Krishan’s You & Your Body helps children and families understand the human body and make positive choices about well-being, the author said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jagjit Singh: The ghazal maestro who redefined Indian music

Jagjit Singh

Jagjit Singh: The ghazal maestro who redefined Indian music

ASJAD NAZIR

JAGJIT SINGH is always part of the conversation when discussing India’s greatest and most influential music artists. Born on February 8, 1941, the singer, musician, and composer left behind a lasting legacy before passing away on October 10, 2011, at the age of 70.

Eastern Eye marks the birth anniversary of the silky-voiced maestro by telling his remarkable story – from humble beginnings to making an incredible global impact, suffering an unbearable heartbreak, and creating songs that are still enjoyed by many millions.

Keep ReadingShow less
Playwright Farrah Chaudhry's 'Community' is a love letter to brown lives in Birmingham

Farrah Chaudhry

Playwright Farrah Chaudhry's 'Community' is a love letter to brown lives in Birmingham

IN A world where the media often focuses on differences, a British Asian playwright has shone the spotlight on the shared humanity within brown and Muslim communities.

Birmingham-based Farrah Chaudhry said her latest comedy-drama, Community, challenges stereotypes, offering a narrative that celebrates everyday lives, connections, and healing.

Keep ReadingShow less