Veteran guitarist Adnan Afaq is seriously ill

KARACHI:

At the heart of Pakistan’s music scene, guitarist, guru and trailblazer Adnan Afaq is battling stage IV stomach cancer, which landed him in the hospital. Known for his excellent guitar playing and contribution to music education, Adnan is battling the disease at SIUT in Karachi, with doctors expressing uncertainty over the possibility of a cure.

Affectionately known as Adnan Vai (a reference to guitar legend Steve Vai), Adnan is also the head of the music department at the Arts Council of Pakistan. Shared by his partner and friend at ACP, Arman Rahim The Express Tribune, “For six months now, Adnan has had this uncontrollable pain in his stomach that he couldn’t explain. More than a month ago, she vomited while eating. That’s when he had a CT scan and his cancer was diagnosed. His family took him to SIUT and his biopsy revealed that he was terminally ill.”

Raheem, ACMA’s lead singer, added, “He can’t eat. He is talking and conscious but because he can’t eat, he is often dizzy. The condition is such that doctors say it cannot be cured. He will continue to take his nutrition and vitamins in a drip.”

More recently, Sounds of Kolachi frontman Ahsan Bari shared a detailed Facebook Status dedicated to Adnan’s role in shaping Pakistan’s music industry. Rahim, while highlighting his importance in the local circuit and praying for his improvement, added: “Adnan was always focused on the academics of music. He is a professor. No matter how many guitarists you find here, they will have been Adnan’s student at some point. But Adnan himself never made it into the mainstream.”

Rahim, like Barry and most musicians, recognizes the importance of having conductors as academics and not just ‘mainstream showpieces’. In fact, many in the music industry praise Adnan for his ability to hone artists like no other without falling prey to competition.

Adnan’s journey dates back to the late 1980s with his first band, Powerhouse, known for their remarkable covers of Pink Floyd. He later contributed to glam rock band Arsh and alternative rock band Circle, earning critical acclaim for the album Tehzeeb released in 1997.

Adnan’s dedication to music education is as remarkable as his contributions to live performances and recordings. Having studied jazz and modern fusion in the UK, he mastered his instrument, becoming a sought-after session player for leading Pakistani artists such as Sajjad Ali and Fakhr-e-Alam. Adnan’s academic journey includes teaching at NAPA (National Academy of Performing Arts) and creating a comprehensive curriculum for a music course.

In 2018, Adnan joined the Arts Council as Head of Music, where he shaped the music curriculum. He also pioneered the creation of a diploma program, bringing together musicians and teachers from East and West. His group, ACMA *Arts Council Music Academy), has released numerous originals and performed throughout Pakistan, contributing to the vibrancy of the local music scene.

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