Ustad Abdullah, the celebrated shehnai virtuoso and recipient of the Presidential Award, passed away on Saturday at the age of 72, family members confirmed.
According to relatives, the acclaimed musician had long been battling chronic lung complications and asthma. His funeral prayers will be offered today in Kotri, while his burial will take place in his ancestral graveyard at Syed Budhal Shah.
Ustad Abdullah was regarded as one of the subcontinent’s most distinguished shehnai players, earning recognition across Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. Over several decades, he carved an enduring legacy through his mastery of the instrument and his remarkable ability to shape its place in regional music traditions.
He represented Pakistan in numerous national and international cultural festivals, where his performances drew widespread acclaim. In Sindhi music, Ustad Abdullah was credited with introducing new tonal expressions and bringing renewed depth to the shehnai’s role in folk heritage.
In acknowledgement of his artistic contributions, the government had honoured him with the Presidential Award an accolade that underscored his stature as a cultural icon.
Family members, fellow musicians, and admirers across the region have expressed deep sorrow over his passing, describing it as a profound loss for traditional South Asian music.
