Folk singer Asad Abbas passes away after years long battle with kidney failure

LAHORE: Popular folk singer Asad Abbas who had been fighting with severe kidney disease and dire financial constraints has passed away.

According to his official Facebook page, the statement conveying his demise conveyed, “May the divine Allah enlarge his resting place and bestow eternal serenity upon Asad Abbas. He exhibited unwavering determination until the end.”

According to sources, Abbas was undergoing severe dialysis sessions three to four times weekly, totaling 13 to 14 times per month, due to a dual kidney failure.

Meanwhile, singer Nimra Rafiq took to her social media to share the news and said, “He fought relentlessly until surrendering. It’s unfortunate that we were unable to offer him assistance. May you find peace, Asad bhai.”

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Abbas made his appearance in Coke Studio Season 6, collaborating with Fariha Parvez on the song Mahi Gala, a folk composition rooted in raag Malhar. His contribution stood out as one of the most acclaimed songs of the season, notable for being the first to feature numerous international artists.

Earlier in May, renowned composer and music producer Rohail Hyatt had issued a plea on Abbas’s behalf, detailing his critical condition, “The highly talented folk singer Asad Abbas, who also graced season 6 of Coke Studio, is in urgent need of our collective support. For those willing to assist him, our thoughts and prayers are with him. Thank you.”

In June, actor Adnan Siddiqui took to his social media platform to raise funds for Abbas’s medical treatment. He wrote, “Asad has enriched our lives with his melodious voice, captivating our emotions with his soulful performances and musical brilliance. Unfortunately, beneath the surface of his remarkable talent, he is currently engaged in a personal struggle that has left him in severe financial distress.”

Meanwhile, Asad Abbas talked to the media a month back and shared his battle with the disease. He said: “I am undergoing dialysis, and the doctors have given me a grim prognosis. They suggest that I need to travel to the United States for treatment, similar to Alamgir’s case. I am in dire need of financial assistance, and I request the government to extend their support. I lack a vehicle, and I have a family to provide for. I have been grappling with this ailment for seven years, and now both my kidneys have failed. Previous attempts at a kidney transplant were unsuccessful. I have also contributed to the Mekaal Hasan Band as a vocalist, earned a Lux Style Award, a Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, and served my nation as an artist for many years.”

Asad Abbas hailed from a lineage steeped in musical heritage. His grandfather, Mohammad Sadiq, and Mohammad Iqbal were pioneers of folk music in Pakistan, harmonising together since the inception of Radio Pakistan. Ali Abbass, Abbas’s brother, and Amanat Ali, his cousin, have also made their mark as accomplished folk and contemporary artists.

Abbas’s vocal prowess and artistic portfolio earned him a place in Mekaal Hasan’s Rivayat series. His music career spanned almost three decades, and he emerged victorious in the renowned singing competition, Pakistan Sangeet Icon.