One of Tharparkar district’s most revered folk singers and a guardian of Sindh’s musical traditions, Arib Faqir, passed away on Saturday at the age of over 80, following a prolonged illness.
The veteran artist had been under treatment at Mithi Civil Hospital, suffering from tuberculosis and kidney-related ailments, where he breathed his last. Despite repeated appeals from civil society, the provincial Department of Culture failed to take any steps to shift him to a better hospital for treatment at government expense.
Over a career spanning decades, Arib Faqir became a symbol of Thari folk songs and traditional desert melodies, sung in Dhatki, Marwari, Rajasthani, and Thari dialects. His music reflected folk wisdom, capturing both the joys and sorrows of desert life.
Among his most popular songs was “Harmar Cho”, traditionally sung in celebration of the first rain and at the start of desert farming. Another emotional track, “Doro Alwadai”, was a poignant farewell song sung during a bride’s departure from her parental home after marriage — a long-standing tradition in Thari weddings, filled with both sorrow and hope.
His voice, often compared to the legendary folk singer Mai Bhagi, earned him numerous awards and honors across Sindh. Yet, he chose to remain in Thar, continuously drawing inspiration from its landscapes and people.
News of his passing spread rapidly, with a large number of poets, singers, and citizens gathering at Mithi Civil Hospital. His body was later taken to his residence in Mithi, where his funeral prayers will be held.
