Muhammad Iqbal Varda was born on the 7th of November 1947, DSM, Tanzania. The name ‘Iqbal’ was given to him by his father inspired by the great poet Allama Iqbal of Pakistan. Iqbal Varda hailed from a musical background as father and uncles had their music group known as ‘Varda Brothers.’ When Iqbal was barely 5 years old, he started singing in mehfils with uncles. This describes his childhood induction to singing. He won the 1st prize in ‘Children Singing Competition’ held at the Mnazi Moja ground on Eid Day in June 1954. His name appeared in a Gujarati newspaper ‘Africa Samachar’ that reported ‘A young child Iqbal Varda aged 7 was just wonderful!’
Every evening normally when all kids reluctantly sat by the study table, a 7 years old kid chose to be different. Enchanted by the soothing voice of Moh’d Rafi which wafted in the air, the young boy passionately stuck his ears over ‘All India Radio’ and keenly listened to Rafi songs which gradually stimulated the dormant interest of the boy. He picked up the singing style of Rafi and rudiments of music from his father Nurmohamed Varda as he had already a blessed and God gifted voice. Thus, Iqbal’s inspiration in singing was Moh’d Rafi’s voice. Years later, the quiet boy grew up to create a mark in the history of Tanzania music when he decided to become a Singer. His father, spotting a hidden talent inside him, first and foremost taught him to play harmonium and table (Indian instrument) and gave him lessons of classical ragas and beats. Within no time the boy scaled the heights of stardom after long hours of practice on instruments and vocal training in singing. At the age of 17 his popularity grew remarkably and he was hired to play tabla with the biggest musicians of the time. His renderings of Rafi songs, ghazals, bhajans and quawwalis were also greatly acclaimed whenever he got a chance to sing in public and mehfils. His renderings of the ghazals with perfect Urdu diction of the great poets like Mirza Ghalib and his contemporaries were incomparable and definitive at the young age.
When he travelled to Limbe, Malawi with his father for couple of shows at the age of 20, he won the hearts of the audiences with his rich powerful voice blessed with an exceptionally wide range that encompassed three distinct vocal styles, a piercing falsetto, a smooth mid-range tenor and a deep bass growl as Iqbal combined great technical prowess with rare musical individuality for his ability to sing and at the same time play toughest instrument ‘tabla,’ a rare quality found in few gifted artistes in the world. To play tabla, needs profound energy to produce ‘sargam’ sound using both hands and force from arms and rolling fingers which is tiring. Singing also needs control over breathing and emit vocal sounds without cracking or missing a note. Iqbal possessed that stamina as he could swiftly play for hours singing melodiously with great ease and control physically and vocally.
There was a visiting ‘Suleman Quawwal’ group from South Africa in concert at Limbe, Malawi. The organizer invited father to attend the show and requested the Quawwal to allow father and son from Tanzania to share the stage for 15 minutes. Within no time, the young boy Iqbal took the audience by storm when he sang Moh’d Rafi songs! The audience went wild when he sang Rafi’s classical number ‘Madhuban meh Radhika nachere’ with sargams at the same time rolling his fingers efficiently on tabla without missing a single beat while singing the difficult song. Public demanded to extend time for the young Iqbal to continue. After the show, Suleman Quawwal requested our father if he could take Iqbal to South Africa and tour around the world to which our father did not comply.
Back in DSM, Iqbal turned out to be the most sought after tabalchi (tabla player) and played for prominent music groups of the time. He sang one or two songs in the group during ‘Jammashtmi Fete’ held every year at the Patel Ground (now Dar Brotherhood.) Taj Esmail (Taju), a musician with amazing command over the harmonium, heard Iqbal and they became friends instantly. Taju assembled a group of artistes and formed a music group ‘Taju & Party’ that presented Iqbal as a lead singer. During that time in sixties, ‘Radio Tanzania DSM’ used to air a special weekly program for the Asian community titled ‘Aaj Ke Siataare’ where various Asian individual artistes and music groups got a platform to exhibit their talent by singing live on the Radio. It was one of the most popular shows in those days. Taju & Party too, got an opportunity to perform. During sixties, songs of Moh’d Rafi were a craze and Iqbal sang his songs through his stunning and mercurial voice doing justice to Rafi Sahab! Their performance was highly acclaimed by the listeners. Iqbal became a star overnight! Due to great success of the show, Taju & Party was the only group invited again by RTD due to the public demand and once again, they smashed the record giving a wonderful show! Young Iqbal became the symbol of inspiration to many youths of that time. Hence, naturally we too, as his younger brothers became his fans and held him in high esteem as our ‘Idol’, ‘Mentor’ and our motivation for he laid the foundation of music for future Varda Arts renaissance of Tanzania music. It was after this Radio program, Taju & Party got invitations to perform at various places like New Palace Hotel and private parties and became so famous that they had no free dates for bookings. The bond between Taju and Iqbal grew so strong that they remained loyal friends for the rest of their lives and Taju is like our family member even today. As a young boy, I was a huge fan of Taju Bha. Through his magical fingers he could produce Indian and Western sound on the harmonium and likewise Iqbal could produce Indian and Western beats from tabla! It was always exciting to watch both when they played instrumental music (Jugalbandi) that combined Indian classical ‘nagin’ music and Western ‘come september’ music at the same time which was so endearing and magically captivating! Taju & Party came to an end when Taju moved to Canada for good.
Humble, yet a giant among musicians, Iqbal Varda was a man of tremendous integrity. He was a pious person who rarely missed his Namaaz. He had no addiction to any kind of recreational drugs. He would always separate his income from his earnings to spend on good causes. Having a full meal before the show would not affect his singing. Iqbal believed one should live with times. People’s taste in music change likewise artistes should change their perceptions and sing for what their audience want.
PART 2:
Over the years Iqbal meticulously acquired extraordinary vocal command and virtuosity that enabled him to render an incredibly diverse range of sub-genres and range of music notes in a manner that was breathtaking as it was deeply profound to the minds and hearts of his audience. Whether it was a serious number like ‘Duniya ke Rakhwale’ or an item number like ‘Baby Doll’,classical song like ‘Laga chunari meh Dhaag’ or a Punjabi Bhangra or Gujarati Dandiya, he would sing with ease and had no constraints in his ability to produce sheer excellence and magic. He was a poet who could deliver ‘shairi’ on spot. His incredible versatility was matched by sheer virtuosity, the like of which is unlikely to be repeated. At the age of 73, he did not suffer from any ailments or syndromes like pressure or sugar, etc. He could go on singing non-stop without a break for 2 hours or more with great enthusiasm and zeal with his audience on the dance floor. He was jovial. He loved people. His fans belonged to all sections and ages. He always carried sweets in his pocket and whenever kids came to him for a song request, he would offer them sweets! He had a powerful memory and could remember the names and favourite songs of his fans even after a span of 3 years! Words cannot do justice to comprehend what this singer was about.
Twenty or more patriotic songs having sung for his beloved nation Tanzania indicates Iqbal Varda’s patriotism and love for his country. He has sung for countless charitable organizations to raise funds for the less privileged in the society. He has performed for the ruling party CCM countless of times. His participation to entertain 2000 members of Parliament in 1987 at Kizota, Dodoma during first party election is unmatchable. He has a glorious background having performed in the presence of great artists of Bollywood that include the great Playback Singer Mahendra Kapoor, Dilip Kumar the great, and the king of comedy Mehmood among others and not forgetting to have entertained the victorious World Cup title holders cricket team of India, the great Kapil Dev in DSM. He has entertained the Prime Minister of India Hon. I.K. Gujral and the Hon. President of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam during their individual visit to Tanzania. He has performed in the presence of the Father of the nation Mwalimu J.K. Nyerere, President Ali Hassan Mwinyi, President Benjamin William Mkapa, President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete and Hon. Salim Ahmed Salim, the former Secretary General of OAU (Oragniation of African Unity)
Iqbal Varda has written, composed and sung many Naats for the Ismailia Community’s spiritual leader His Highness Shah Karim Aga Khan. He has also sung for the entire Memon Jamaat internationally. He has served performing for the Hindu Community during their spiritual Navratri festivals constantly for ten years. Through Varda Arts he has been awarded by the Sunni Muslim Jamaat ‘United Cutchi Youths’ for raising funds for the construction of the Cutchi Hall in DSM and I can keep on writing volumes about his notable work to this nation for both, the African and the Asian communities of Tanzania at large without any help by individuals or from the Government.
The purity of his voice reflected purity of his ideals and heart. He was not affected by his greatness and his fame never superseded human and social ethics for this religious and unassuming maestro, completely lacking in ego so commonly found in the world of show business for a man having strode the music stage and reign for six decades leaving behind a rich and varied legacy of Varda Arts is what every music lover is grateful for.
Iqbal was the pride of Tanzania. Once, while performing at the New Africa Hotel, an old man with a long grey beard and Turban from Amritsar, Punjab, India, came to Iqbal and complimented him saying, “Your voice is believing in what its conveying, it is amazingly close to Rafi Sahab’s voice, are you from India?” Iqbal said, “No, we are born in Tanzania, we are Tanzanians.” “This is unbelievably incredible!” He reacted shockingly. Iqbal added, “We are all brothers.” The old man’s instant reaction was typical Sikh type as he said, “Then you are the 8th wonder of the world!” Thus, Tanzania has lost a gem, an icon, for if there was no Iqbal Varda, there would be no Varda Arts! Iqbal Bha had a strong connection with his mother and coincidently on the 27th June 2020, his body was laid to rest just beside his beloved mother’s grave.
We often take for granted contributions of many heroes. Iqbal Varda was one of these heroes. The nation has benefited in some way by his many contributions. He is an unsung hero of our field and he will be dearly missed by many who have been touched by his passing away.
‘Nations are so reluctant to value the works and contributions of their children when they are still alive. It is not until they are buried and their bodies transform to sand and their souls are forgotten that their work will be honored.’ – Shaaban Robert.
