Allan Fakir

Allan Fakir or Allan Faqir (1932 – 4 July 2000) He spent his childhood in Manjhand, a town between Sehwan and Hyderabad, Sindh.

Community Allan Fakir belonged to the Manganhar community. According to Manganhar traditions, his father used to beat the drum and sing traditional songs at weddings and other festivities. Allan also sang at dargahs.

Attachment with mother Allan’s mother left the world soon after his birth, and her untimely demise plunged him into a profound sense of solitude, prompting him to express his melancholy through sombre songs. While searching for motherly love, Allan Fakir departed from his home and arrived at the tomb of the Sufi saint Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai in Bhit Shah. There, he resided for an extended period, immersing himself in the art of devotional singing.

Becoming a Fakir Fakir is an Arabic word, and implies a Sufi or a mystic. Thus in the real sense of the word, a 'Fakir' is someone who leads an independent life marked by piety, abstinence from material needs, and contentment with the available resources. Allan himself chose the suffix 'Fakir' for his name.

Singing career Under the guidance of his father, Allan Fakir received mentorship. Despite lacking formal schooling, his remarkable memory enabled him to perform Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai's poetry at the shrine every night, adorned with a turban resembling a crown for the next twenty years of his life at the shrine. He sang under the guidance of the famous Sindhi landlord, father of Sindhi culture and flim producer Karim Bux Nizamani. Nizamani was his mentor in singing. Encouraged by Faqir Zawar Qurban Ali Lanjwani and Moolchand Maharaj, Allan continued singing at the shrine, until his meeting with Abdul Karim Baloch who introduced him to Radio Pakistan and Pakistan Television Corporation in Hyderabad, Sindh. Through these mediums, his voice reached almost every single household in Pakistan, which made him a 'performing legend'.

Super-hit songs

He sang a duet with pop singer Muhammad Ali Shehki, "Allah Allah Kar Bhayya, Humma Humma".

Honors and awards Allan Fakir received the following awards: President's Pride of Performance award in 1980 Bukhari Award in 1984 Shahbaz Award in 1987 Shah Latif Award in 1992 Kandhkot Award in 1993