Ambwa - Muslim Shaggan

This is Muslim's first release with honiunhoni and we are excited to have him join the family. On a chance weekend in Karachi, we decided to make light hearted solo recordings of him singing in styles other than Khayal, his main focus and speciality.

This first, is at Hosh Mohammad Sheedi Park in Karachi.

This song was originally sung by the great Iqbal Bano for the film Nagin (1959). The composer is Safdar Hussain who was also from a Rubabi musical lineage, just like Muslim. According to Muslim's father, Mazhar Shaggan, when Safdar was composing the tune, he consulted Ustad Ghulam Hassan Shaggan about it and was so inspired by his input, that he later decided to become his shahgird (student).

The lyrics are by Qateel Shifai.

About the artist:

Muslim Shaggan is a vocalist from Lahore, Pakistan. His versatile musicality is rooted in a melodious convergence of histories. He is a descendant of Bhai Mardana (1459-1534), the muslim musician companion of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. This lineage of Rababi musicians eventually adopted the Gwalior Gharana, one of the oldest styles of Hindustani Vocal Music, and his great grandfather, Bhai Lal Mohammad, further incorporated elements from the Kapurthala style, to eventually train Muslim's grandfather, Ghulam Hassan Shaggan (1928-2015), in to becoming one of the finest exponents of the Hindustani vocal tradition in the 20th century. It was under his grandfather's training, that Muslim was carefully groomed to carry on his family's artistic tradition, from the tender age of 7.

Recorded and Produced by Daniyal Ahmed
Film by Daniyal Yousaf and Daniyal Ahmed
Translation by honiunhoni family

Special Thanks to The All Pakistan Music Conference, Karachi, Tehzeeb Foundation, and Wajiha Naqvi.