Abrar ul Haq
The King of Bhangra, Abrar Ul Haq, returns to the Coke Studio mainstage in a whirlwind of upbeat nostalgia. Starting his journey from Narowal, Punjab, Abrar studied social sciences at university and later became a teacher at the prestigious Aitchison College in Lahore. However, one thing that prevailed alongside the academic route was Abrar’s passion for music – something that manifested itself in his first song, which was released in 1995. With 24 years in the music industry and numerous albums to his name, Abrar Ul Haq remains one of Pakistan’s most prolific artists, particularly in the Punjabi tradition. Abrar is also an avid philanthropist and humanitarian – he is the founder of SAHARA for Life Trust, as well as the Sughra Shafi Medical Complex in Narowal. He aims to encourage the promotion of health and education in the country’s most remote areas.
“Music is spiritual. It comes from within a person. Sound can create such a strong impact; this is something you feel in music. You’ll hear something and get goosebumps. If you’re sad, a song can uplift your mood. In a way, it’s a cure. It has the power to induce nostalgic feelings and has a spiritual side to it that brings you closer to God ... There’s something extraordinary about music.”