Manzoor Ahmed Khan Niazi (1922 – 9 April 2013) was a renowned

Pakistani Pakistanis (, ) are the citizens and nationals of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Pakistan is the fifth-most populous country, with a population of over 241.5 million, having the second-largest Muslim population as of 2023. As much as ...

Qawwal Qawwali is a form of Sufi Islamic devotional song, devotional singing originating in the Indian subcontinent. Originally performed at Sufi shrines throughout the Indian subcontinent, it is famous throughout Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Afgha ...

and a classical musician in India and Pakistan. He belonged to the well-known family of Qawwals,

Qawwal Bacchon ka Gharana The Qawwal Bacchon Ka Gharana or Dilli Gharana is the oldest khayal gharana of the Hindustani Classical music tradition. It was founded by Amir Khusrau (1253-1325) and his students in the 13th century. History The members of this gharana have ...

of Delhi.

Career

Manzoor Niazi Qawwal was the senior-most Qawwal in the

Indian subcontinent The Indian subcontinent is a physiographic region of Asia below the Himalayas which projects into the Indian Ocean between the Bay of Bengal to the east and the Arabian Sea to the west. It is now divided between Bangladesh, India, and Pakista ...

. He had one of the most instantly recognizable and endearing voices among the qawwals. He was the leader of the gifted, albeit short-lived Qawwali group of the last century, a ''Qawwali Supergroup'' which Included his cousins Munshi Raziuddin Qawwal and Bahauddin Qawwal. Formed as the Manzoor Ahmed Khan Niazi Qawwal & Brothers qawwali group in 1937. Quiad-e-Azam

Muhammad Ali Jinnah Muhammad Ali Jinnah (born Mahomedali Jinnahbhai; 25 December 187611 September 1948) was a barrister, politician, and the founder of Pakistan. Jinnah served as the leader of the All-India Muslim League from 1913 until the inception of Pa ...

gave him the title of ''Bulbul-e-Deccan''. This ensemble lasted until 1966. After 1966, Manzoor Ahmed Khan Niazi turned to solo work and trained his sons

Abdullah Manzoor Niazi Abdullah Muhammad Manzoor Niazi Qawwal is a Pakistani Qawwal. He was born in Karachi at 1960 and is the eldest son of Manzoor Niazi Qawwal. He belongs to Qawwal Bachchon ka Gharana of Delhi. He performed with his father Manzoor Niazi Qawwal, and o ...

and Masroor Ahmed Niazi. He also trained his cousin Munshi Raziuddin's Sons Farid Ayaz And Abu Muhammad, and his cousin Bahauddin Qawwal's sons Qawwal Najmuddin – Saifuddin & Brothers. He helped his own sons form their own ensemble. Manzoor Niazi occasionally assisted his sons during their concerts as the leader of the group. His Grandson ''Habib Niazi'' who is son of ''Masroor Niazi'' Later On, Became The Second Lead Singer in His Son Abdullah Niazi's Group. He was not Niazi by caste, So do not confused with his last name, he was not belongs to famous Pushtun Niazi tribe. Manzoor Niazi Qawwal died on 9 April 2013 at age 91 at Karachi, Pakistan.

Awards and legacy

*For His Sheer Devotion And Contribution For Sufi Music, Manzoor Ahmed Niazi was honored with a

Tamgha-e-Imtiaz Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (), also spelled as Tamgha-i-Imtiaz, is a state-organised honour of Pakistan. It is given to any civilian in Pakistan based on their achievements. While it is a civilian/military award, it can be bestowed upon officers of the ...

Award (Medal of Excellence) Award by the

President of Pakistan The president of Pakistan () is the head of state of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The president is the nominal head of the executive and the supreme commander of the Pakistan Armed Forces.

in 2006.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Qawwal, Manzoor Niazi 1922 births 2013 deaths Pakistani qawwali singers 20th-century Pakistani male singers 20th-century Pakistani singers Pakistani qawwali groups Muhajir people Singers from Delhi Qawwal Bacchon gharana