Punjabi singer Sabar Koti dies

Jalandhar/Chandigarh, Jan 25

Punjabi singer Sabar Koti (58), known for his soulful renditions, died after a prolonged illness in Jalandhar today. He is survived by wife Rita and four children.

Sabar Koti was born into a family of musicians. Initiated to the Patiala Gharana of classical music by his father and guru Amar Nath, Koti started performing at the age of nine. Later, his talent was honed under the tutelage of Puran Shah Koti.

Koti belonged to Nangal Karar Khan village in Jalandhar district.

Deepak Bali of Punjab Jagriti Manch said, “Sabar was not keeping well for the past few years.”

Among his popular songs are “Kargai ai sauda sada”, “Oh mausam wangu badal gaye”, “Asin dhur andar tak leeran hoi baithe aan”, “Saun da mahina hove” and “Peengh hulare laindi”.

“The craze about rock and pop music will come and go, but the richness of folk music will always be there,” Koti had said during a performance in Chandigarh several years ago. — TNS