Malayalam ghazal singer Umbayee dies aged 66

Popular Malayalam ghazal singer Umbayee died yesterday, Kerala Culture Minister A K Balan said. Umbayee, 66, was suffering from cancer. With almost two dozen music albums to his credit, Umbayee rejected several offers from the film industry during his lifetime. His last rites will be held today. Born in 1952 in Mattanchery, Umbayee’s real name was Abu Ibrahim. His father, who did not approve of his career in music, sent him to Mumbai to become an electrician. However, he accidentally met Ustad Munawar Ali Khan there and under his mentorship became a ghazal singer.