Sanghar (Hasnain Ashiq Saand) The 45th death anniversary of Sindh’s legendary Singer and classical vocalist, Ustad Manzoor Ali Khan, was observed in Tando Adam on Tuesday with simplicity amid light rain.
The ceremony, hosted by his nephew Nadir Ali Khan, began with Quran Khwani for the late maestro’s soul. Later, Nadir Ali Khan, Sikandar Ali Khan, Junior Manzoor Ali Khan, senior journalists Wafa Raza Chandio, Ashiq Hussain Saand, Khalid Hussain Khaskheli, Ali Raza Saand, Sagar Dahraj, Raees Zahid Ali Mari, Deedar Ali Lashari and Krishan Chand, along with a large number of admirers, visited the shrine, laid floral wreaths and offered Fateha.
Speaking on the occasion, Nadir Ali Khan, Wafa Raza Chandio, Sagar Dahraj and Deedar Ali Lashari expressed regret that the anniversary of such a towering cultural figure had been marked so quietly. They criticised the provincial culture department for neglecting Sindh’s great artists and urged the government to take responsibility for the treatment of Ustad Manzoor Ali’s ailing disciple and renowned singer Anwar Hussain Wistro.
Born in Shikarpur in 1922, Ustad Manzoor Ali Khan devoted over five decades to classical music, training a number of acclaimed disciples including Ustad Muhammad Yousuf, Anwar Hussain Wistro, Ustad Waheed Ali, Qamar Soomro, Gulzar Ali, Deen Muhammad Damsaz and Mukhtiar Ali Shaikh. He was regarded as a master of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai’s Sur “Marvi”.
In recognition of his services, he was conferred with the Pride of Performance, Shah Latif Award, Sachal Award and several other honours. Ustad Manzoor Ali Khan passed away on September 9, 1980.
