Moin Niazi

Moin Niazi (1942-1988) was born in Delhi, India. He belonged to Atruli Gharana of Shahab Khan. In the early ages Moin Niazi was use to sing the Kallan Khan Qawwal’s records. He learned classical music from Wahid Hussain Khan Khurjay Wale. Initially he used to sing Ustad Kallan Khan’s records and started attending dargahs at an early age. His repertoire of qawwali is immense. He has toured Europe and Middle East and has frequently performed on Pakistan radio and television. He was given Pride of Performance by the Government of Pakistan in 2004. In his memory, near Shoe Market, Nishtar Road, Karachi, a street has been named “Moin Niazi Qawwal Street”. His son Ghous Muhammad Niazi is following the footsteps of his father with his uncle Muhammad Nasir. His first cassettes were released by Sangeet Mehal Recording Company in 1989.

At around 10pm on December 20, 1988, Moin succumbed to brain hemorrhage at Karachi’s Jinnah Hospital. His death also signalled the end of a time when the family seldom worried about finances. Moin’s younger brother Haji Nasir took charge of the deceased’s 11 children and made Moin’s eldest son Ghaus Muhammad, the most famous of second-generation Niazi qawwals, head of the party. Under Haji Nasir’s watchful eye, Ghaus Muhammad excelled as a performer and his four younger brothers — Taj Muhammad, Faiz Muhammad, Shad Muhammad and Ahmed Ali — found their footing.