Andaleeb Wasif was born in a well-known family of Hyderabad, India. A self-taught singer and harmonium player, he began performing as a youth – impressing The Nizam, His Exalted Highness (HEH) Mir Osman Ali Khan and continued developing his style through his young adulthood.
While studying architecture in Bombay (Mumbai) at Sir J.J. School of Arts, his natural talent of music and performances grew in acclaim and he won a number of prominent competitions including The Golden Voice of Bombay, The K.L. Saigal and The Lata Mangeshkar awards. He was recognized and honored by numerous film stars and singers of 1960s Bollywood along with film directors like Anil Biswas. Though he was sought after, he never pursued a career making music for the silver screen. Several famous voices of Bollywood were at one time students of Andaleeb, who was respected as a vocal teacher of ghazals.
Most of the ghazals Andaleeb is best known for, were written by poets such as Sahir Ludhyanwi, Akbar Hyderabadi, Faiz Ahmad Faiz, and Farig Bukahri all of whom he knew personally.
Andaleeb’s renditions are spiritual, mystical, enigmatic and filled with pathos, and are always timeless and ethereal
supported by 19 fans who also own “Andaleeb M. Wasif”
Astonishing. So raw and pure. This is what music should be like: unpretentious, skillful, among friends under the stars. This is everything I've ever wanted in a record even though I didn't know it. Marco Esquandolas
supported by 17 fans who also own “Andaleeb M. Wasif”
In an interview with Dweezil Zappa, Mdou Moctar cites an Abdallah Oumbadougou concert when he was a child as the moment he knew he needed to play guitar.
"Anou Malane" is gritty, politically charged. The drum programming grooves. The tape warped fidelity gives it an otherworldly energy. I wish I knew this record earlier; it feels like one of those obvious missing links that a Westerner listening to Tuareg music remotely may not be aware of. One of my favorite Sahel Sounds releases so far. Ryan Sarno
supported by 17 fans who also own “Andaleeb M. Wasif”
Sometimes I wonder: how do small companies like Sahel find these records? And this is a real find. Some great singing here. Wonder what they sing about though. Since they were Polisario related, must be revolutionary stuff. Listening to this I also wonder: what became of these musicians? If you're into North African music, this comes recommended. Robert Bloemkolk