Umbayee
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Umbayee
| image = Umayee 4.jpg
| caption = Umbayee
| birth_name = P. A. Ibrahim
| origin =
| instrument = Pump organ, Keyboard, Tabla
| genre = Malayalam ghazal
| occupation = Singer, composer
| years_active =
| birth_date = 1950
| birth_place = Mattancherry, Travancore–Cochin
present-day Ernakulam, Kerala, India
| death_place = Aluva, Kerala, India
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2018|8|01|1950}}
| spouse = Haseeba (m. 1977)
| website =
}}
P. A. Ibrahim (1950 – 1 August 2018), popularly known as Umbayee was an Indian folk musician and composer, associated with the Ghazal genre.{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/16/stories/2010091651990200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921013902/http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/16/stories/2010091651990200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 September 2010 |title=When politicians played muse |date=16 September 2010 |work=The Hindu |accessdate=9 December 2013}} Born in Mattancherry, Kerala, Umbayee is known for his unique style of singing.[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/ghazals-and-grit/article3924501.ece "...GHAZALS and GRIT"], The Hindu, 22 September 2012. Retrieved 8 December 2013 He died on 1 August 2018 in Aluva.
Early years
Umbayee was born in 1950 in Mattanchery near Kochi. His real name was P. Abu Ibrahim.{{Cite web |date=2018-08-01 |title=Ghazal singer Umbayee passes away |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/ghazal-singer-umbayee-passes-away-1.3022968 |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=Mathrubhumi}} As a child Umbayee did not have a supportive environment towards music. His father was vehemently opposed to his son being inclined to music. Ultimately Umbayee failed in his exams thereby ending his school life. Seeing his son distracted by music, father packed Ibrahim off to Bombay (now Mumbai) where his (Umbayee's) uncle was a seaman and made him a trainee electrician.{{Cite web |date=2021-08-01 |title=Popular Malayalam ghazal singer Umbayee no more |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2018/08/01/popular-malayalam-ghazal-singer-umbayee-dies.html |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=OnManorama}} Being sent to Bombay was a decision which changed his life. He met Ustad Munawar Ali Khan who accepted Ibrahim as his disciple. Ibrahim studied music with Ustad for about 7 years without any interruption.
Musical influences
Umbayee said "Mattancherry was a melting pot of music. There was music all around. You only had to find it."
Similar to the youth at the time, Ibrahim's inspiration had been Mehboob, who was a natural and enigmatic singer. During those times most of the legendary Hindustani musicians visited Mattancherry. Ibrahim used to be doing odd jobs in Abdul Khader Vakil's house where those musicians stayed. He listened to their discussions and music. According to Umbayee "That was the beginning".
Once he got a chance to listen to Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Alla Rakha ‘live’ at Mattancherry. After which Ibrahim understood what he was capable of other than playing Tabla. He realised "There was so much to learn. What I was doing was childish".
File:Umbayee 1.jpg on 22 November 2011]]
Personal life
Umbayee married Haseeba on 08 May 1977. They had three children, Shailaja, Sabitha and Sameer.{{Cite web |last=Sebastian |first=Shevlin |date=2018-08-02 |title=Fearing for our kids' future, Umbayee gave up on liquor: Habeesa |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2018/Aug/02/fearing-for-our-kids-future-umbayee-gave-up-on-liquor-habeesa-1851959.html |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=The New Indian Express}}
Death
Umbayee died on 01 August 2021 at a private hospital in Aluva. He was being treated for multiple health problems for the past seven months.{{Cite web |date=2021-08-02 |title=Malayalam singer and composer Umbayee dies at 68 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/noted-ghazal-singer-and-composer-umbayee-dies-at-68-1303427-2018-08-02 |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=India Today}} He was in the final stage of lung cancer.{{Cite web |date=2021-08-01 |title=Ghazal singer Umbayee passes away |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/umbayee-dead-5286736/ |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=The Indian Express}}
Albums
- Akale Mounam Pol
- Gazalmaala
- Hrudayaraagam
- Ithuvare Sakhee Ninne Kaathirunnu
- Madhuramee Gaanam
- Mehboob
- Nandi Pranaya Sakhi Nandi
- Orikkal Nee Paranju
- Oru Mukham Maathram
- Paaduka Saigal Paadoo
- Phir Vahee Shyaam
- Pranaamam Mehboob Ororma
References
{{reflist}}
{{Commons category|Umbayee}}
- Rejecting a reality show call : [http://www.madhyamam.com/news/209577/130120 സിനിമയില് പാടാനും റിയാലിറ്റി ഷോയില് വിധികര്ത്താവാകാനും ഇല്ല: ഉമ്പായി] {{in lang|ml}}
- Umbayee Database : http://malayalasangeetham.info/displayProfile.php?category=singers&artist=Umbayi {{in lang|ml}}
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Category:Indian male ghazal singers
Category:Deaths from cancer in India
Category:20th-century Indian male singers
Category:20th-century Indian singers
Category:21st-century Indian male singers