Eminent musician of Sindh Ustad Achar who gained unparalleled fame as Algoza player across the country passed away at his residence in Jati town in the early hours of Saturday. His family source told local reporters that the seasoned Alghoza player had been bed-ridden for the past few months following multiple health complications, mainly kidney related diseases. The veteran player leaves behind a great vacuum in the art of Alghoza playing. 70 year old Achar Samejo dedicated a major part of his life to music and gained unprecedented recognition across the province.
He was born in Jati in a family that always struggled to make both ends meet. His love for music and playing Alghoza nourished during his teenage years while grazing cattle. His mentor and trainer Khamiso Khan Jamali motivated him to become a musician and play Alghoza, a woodwind flute-like instrument that had always held a key status in the history of Sindhi folk music.
Achar got an opportunity to perform on Pakistan Television and Radio Pakistan in 1978. He collaborated with several singers on stage including Allan Faqir, Suleman Shah, Ustad Muhammad Yousif, Anwar Wistro and others.
Besides that he also gave solo performances by playing Alghoza in front of massive gatherings organized by the Culture department and Government of Sindh.
Achar Samejo visited Germany, UK, UAE and China where he earned accolades through his performance. People belonging to different walks of life expressed deep grief at the demise of the noted artist and the indifferent attitude of the culture department towards him.
Umer Khaskeli said that Achar Samejoo possessed phenomenal qualities; his style of playing Alghoza was quite different from his contemporaries.
He further said that the prominent musician was battling with several diseases for many years but during that period no one from the culture department turned up to assist him. Educationist Imdad Acharani said that he was very famous among noted personalities of Sindh and Sujawal district and was known to the world because of people like him.
Senior Journalist Haji Zahid Ishaque Sommro who interviewed Ustad Achar several times said that; Ustad was displeased with the attitude of the culture department and worried about the diminishing trend of Alghoza-playing. “He could play the tunes of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai’s poetry on Alghoza with ease” he said.
In recognition of his contributions he was bestowed with the Shah Latif and Sachal Sarmast Award. Scores of people from different parts of province converged at Baba Mugarbeen graveyard to attend his funeral.
