Waris Ali “Baloo” is one of the Pakistans most seasoned Dholak players and joins the Coke Studio House Band this year from the renowned Okara district, Dipalpur. Waris grew up heavily influenced by the classical school of music introduced to him by his Aashiq Ali Khan Sahab, a celebrated tabla player and his uncle Rafiq Hussain, a talented qawaal.
Waris earned his nickname Baloo from his teacher and guru Ustaad Ejaz Baloo Khan Sahab and has been playing the instrument for over two decades. He has performed with maestros Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Sahab, Ustaad Salamat Ali Khan Sahab and Madam Noor Jehan and has directed music for Arif Lohar, Shafqat Salamat Ali and Sher Miandad. Waris teaches eastern percussions at a school in Lahore and has also taught the instrument at a University in Denmark.
Watch Waris Baloo and his Dholak at Coke Studio this season.
