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Sucha Singh who was better known by his stage name ‘Sabar Koti’ (1960-2018) was an Indian Punjabi singer who was popularly known for his songs like Hanju (Tears), Ik Chan Umbran Te (Moon in the Sky), Gamm Nahi Mukde (Misery does not end), and Mera Dil Kho Gaya (Lost my heart). Sabar Koti passed away at the age of 58 years on 25 January 2018 in Jalandhar, Punjab, India, after suffering from a prolonged illness.
Wiki/Biography
Sabar Koti was born on Wednesday, 20 January 1960 (age 58 years; at the time of death) in the village, Kot Karar Khan, District Kapurthala, Punjab, India. His zodiac sign is Aquarius. Sabar Koti completed his primary education at the age of 7 at a local school in his village Kot Karar Khan, district Kapurthala. For higher education, Sabar Koti attended the Khalsa Senior Secondary School in the village of Khaira Majha, near Jalandhar, Punjab, where he completed his matriculation.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 6″
Hair Colour: Natural Black
Eye Colour: Dark Brown
Family
Parents & Siblings
Sabar Koti’s father, Amar Nath Koti, was an Indian classical singer and owned a music band. Sabar Koti’s mother, Chinti Devi, was a homemaker.
Sabar Koti had 2 brothers including Harbans Lal, who was a famous tabla player in Punjab.
Wife & Children
Sabar Koti got married to Rita, a girl from Kerala, on 1 July 1988.
The couple was blessed with three children and two sons. Alex Koti, William Koti, and a daughter, Rageshwari Koti. All of Sabar Koti’s children are singers in the Punjabi industry.
Career
Punjabi Albums
In 1996, Sabar Koti released his cassette album ‘Pyar Di Digri.’ The album had a total of 8 tracks and was released under the label T-Series.
In 2001, Sabar Koti released his album ‘Mundran Wala Jogi.’ The album had a total of 8 tracks which were written by Shamsher Sandhu and composed by Surinder Bachan.
In 2005, Sabar Koti released his superhit album ‘Hanju.’ The album was released under the Sony Music Entertainment label, and its music director was Jaidev Kumar. The album consists of a total of 4 songs like ‘Keemat,’ ‘Hanju,’ ‘Saun,’ and ‘Mela.’
In 2008, Sabar Koti released another project with the music director, Jaidev Kumar. The album was called ‘Farmaish,’ and it was released under the label Music Waves. The album consisted of a total of 8 songs including ‘Naa Mitran Daa,’ ‘Dil Todd Jaan Waaliye,’ and ‘Challa.’
Devotional Albums
In 1999, Sabar Koti released his first devotional album, ‘Manglo Murada,’ in collaboration with the music director Charanjit Ahuja. The project had a total of 8 tracks.
In 2015, Sabar Koti released his devotional album ‘Vishno Maa.’ The album consists of 8 songs, and all of them were composed by Sabar Koti himself. This album also featured Sabar Koti’s sons, Alex Koti and William Koti.
In 2017, Sabar Koti released his last devotional album, ‘Satguru Kanshi Wala.’ The album consists of a total of 8 tracks.
Playback Singer in Punjabi Films
In 1996, Sabar Koti made his playback singing debut with the Punjabi film ‘Ishq Nachavye Gali Gali.’
In 2005, Sabar Koti sang a song ‘Sanu Nehar Wale Pul Te’ in the Punjabi film ‘Pind Di Kudi.’ The song was a collaboration project with singers like Sardool Sikander, Feroz Khan, and Shaukat Ali Khan.
In 2008, Sabar Koti sang the song ‘Laa Ke Dil Mahia’ from the film ‘Majaajan.’
Awards
In 2014, Sabar Koti received the Hakam Sufi Award for his contribution to classical singing.
Death
Sabar Koti passed away on 25 January 2018 after suffering from a prolonged illness at a hospital in Jalandhar, Punjab. Reportedly, the cause of Sabar Koti’s death was kidney failure. Sabar Koti was buried at his native village, Kot Karar Khan, District Kapurthala. Many famous personalities like Hans Raj Hans, Sardool Sikander, Master Saleem, Jasbir Jassi, Muhammad Sadiq, and Feroz Khan were present there to pay their last respects.
Favourites
- Singer(s): Shaukat Ali Khan and Ghulam Ali
- Music Director: Charanjit Ahuja
- Instrumentalist: Ustad Tari Khan
Facts/Trivia
- In 1976, Sabar Koti requested Ustad Puran Shah Koti (famous Punjabi singer) to accept him as his disciple to which the latter did not agree for a little while. However, after multiple rejections, Puran Shah Koti finally accepted him as a student and disciple.
- Sabar Koti was a close friends with the Indian actor Om Puri and Punjabi singer turned politician Hans Raj Hans.
- Sabar Koti’s elder brother, Harbans Lal, taught Sabar how to play Tabla. Sabar Koti used to accompany his brother on live shows when Sabar was just 6 years old.
- Sabar Koti was an avid drinker and used to consume alcohol frequently.
- Sabar Koti belonged to the Patiala Gharana, one of the four gharanas (communities of singers from different regions of India) of Indian Classical Music.
- Sabar Koti started singing at the age of 9 under the guidance of his father, Amar Nath Koti.
- The name ‘Koti’ was derived from his village’s name, Kot Karar Khan.
- At the age of 7, Sabar Koti learned playing the harmonium from a famous percussionist, Bakshi Ram, who was also the mentor of Sabar’s brother, Harbans Lal.
- Sabar Koti learned Urdu writing and Shayari from the famous Punjabi writer Nirdhan Kartarpuri for 5 years.
- ‘Dama Dam Mast Qalandar,’ a spiritual Sufi qawwali, was the first song that Sabar Koti sang in public in 1973.
- Sabar Koti’s father, Amar Nath Koti, owned a brass band in Punjab in which Sabar Koti used to play trumpet.