MITHI - Sufi folk singer Sadiq Fakeer breathed his last on Thursday evening after succumbing to fatal injuries following a car crash in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The folk singer, who might not be well-known in the mainstream music arena, was nonetheless a notable fixture on the folk music scene. Poet Dr Aakash Ansari said he was deeply shocked about his untimely demise and he had no words to pay tribute to the singer.
Sadiq Fakeer was born on March 20, 1964 in Mithi town in Sindh. Unlike most people from his community, his father was a government employee who worked as a patwari in the revenue department.
According to Sadiq’s close friend and writer-poet Bharo Mal Amrani, Sadiq was a born singer. He studied at a local government school and simultaneously learned music from his maternal uncle, Hussain Maganhaar, who was also a musician. He sang at the school functions and later at weddings in Thar and other parts of Sindh.
He was then introduced to Radio Pakistan Hyderabad, in 1986 by Inayat Baloch and to Pakistan Television by literary icon Shamsherul Hyder in 1988. Following his work at Radio Pakistan and PTV, Sadiq started composing and singing the famous kalaam of Sindhi Sufi poets like Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Sachal Sarmast, Shaikh Ayaz, Dr Akash Ansari, Ustaad Bukhari among others. Sadiq Fakeer was not only a singer but also taught at Mithi Government High School. He had a Masters degree in Sindhi literature from Sindh University. He was also awarded many accolades like the Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai award, Sachal Sarmast Award and Mai Bhagi award which is in honour of the legendary Thari singer.
He had also performed internationally in Dubai, India, Singapore, US, England, Canada and Saudi Arabia and got unprecedented appreciation even from those who could not understand his language. The singer could sing in Sindhi, Urdu, Seraiki, Dhatki, Marvarri and other languages.
Sadiq was in Saudi Arabia to perform Umra, and was going Makkah from Madina when he met with the fatal accident. He was accompanied by his family, including his wife, Shamim, daughter Uzma and three sons Rahat Ali, Raza Ali and Nizakat Ali, who also suffered serious injuries.
Business centres and shops in Mithi remained closed on Friday to mourn his death. People from various parts of Sindh arrived at Sadiq’s house to offer their condolences.  It is yet unclear whether his burial will take place in Mithi or Saudi Arabia. His sudden death has saddened his countless fans and music lovers from Pakistan, India and across the world where he performed and enchanted the audience with his soulful voice.
PM grieved
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Friday expressed grief and sorrow over the death of popular Sindhi singer, Sadiq Faqeer, who died in Saudi Arabia on Thursday. Extending his condolences to the bereaved family, the Prime Minister lauded his contribution to Sindhi music and prayed that
Allah Almighty may bless his soul with eternal bliss.