LAHORE-Adeel Barki’s latest album “Tere Ishq Nachaya” which was set to release after Eid has been delayed after the death of his lifelong friend, Amjad Sabri.

The artist who rose to fame in the former President Pervaiz Musharraf’s era paid a touching tribute to the deceased Qawwal, who was shot dead in Karachi two days ago.

Talking to The Nation, Barki said that he was left “sad and devastated by the death of his comrade.” He also termed it as the death of culture and heritage in the country and called Sabri’s contribution to Qawwali “a tremendous continuation of the legacy left behind by his father.”

Commenting on the delay of his latest album, Adeel stated that “perhaps now was not the right time for the release” as the death of his great friend has created a mourning atmosphere. In his view, it is quite sad to see the state of the country as an artist, who had given such a good name to the country through his great performances overseas, had met such a cruel fate.

 “If the situation does not improve and there is no security for artists I will leave this country and settle abroad,” Adeel said.

He further said that as a protest he would not be participating in any Eid programme. “How can I celebrate Eid after the death of my dear friend,” Adeel said.

Furthermore, Adeel said that while it was heartening to see how music has found a way to survive under commercial institutes like Coke Studio and Nescafe Basement. While he commended their effort to reintroduce the masterpieces of the golden age to the new generation, he was adamant that the original works should not be tinkered with too much.

The receiver of the Best Patriotic Song award by the President of Pakistan, the only one after Madam Noor Jahan to do so, was critical of the technical knowledge of the new artists and urged them to focus on the basics more.

Barki, who is reciting Naat at several Mehfils in Ramazan, hinted that Tere Ishq Nachaya will probably be released after Amjad Sabri’s Chehlum now.