Renowned Saraiki singer Shafa Ullah Khan Roukhari passed away on Saturday from a cardiac arrest. He had been suffering from heart related ailments for a while. Living in Islamabad as of late, the singer’s body was brought to his home town Mianwali where his funeral prayers were held.
Peers and well-wishers of the late singer have lamented his loss. Singer Nasir Beraj Mayhdi expressed shock over Roukhari’s death. “This is shocking news for us. He was at the peak of his career and was in good health,” Mayhdi told The Express Tribune. “He was a humble man and was an asset to the country. After Attaullah Khan, he was the top singer of Saraiki and was an inspiration to newcomers.”
Popular singer Naseebo Laal went on to laud Roukhari’s talent. “He was a talented singer who started his career by performing at private functions. I had the opportunity to listen his performance on several occasions. His style was pure and boded well with his sweet voice. Aside from being a talented singer, he was a noble human being.”
According to music producer and composer Raza Shah, Roukhari wasn’t a local singer but an international one. “He performed in many countries including UK, Canada and UAE and always got a warm response from the public. His fans were spread out across the globe,” he stated.
Adding on, Shah stressed that Roukhari’s body of work can serve as a blue print for all new Saraiki singers. “Last year, he released the song Eng Lugda Chan Mahiya Bawyen Sajan Bana Le Ne that became the most hit Saraiki song of 2019. He started his career in an era when there were only two platforms for artists: radio and PTV. He still managed to become a prolific singer, having released several albums in that era. During the last two decades, a number of new singers got fame by singing his songs and imitating his style,” Shah said.
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