Shafqat Amanat Ali is a name many may not have heard of but his voice is definitely more popular. Think Bin Tere from I Hate Love Storys, Dildaara from Ra.One and the award winning Mitwa from Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna.
The talented singer from Pakistan who burst into the Indian music industry with his album Sagar in 2000, has since built a steady popularity with the Indian audience as well.
In the city for a concert, he got talking to City Express about his childhood growing up in Patiala Gharana, his favourite Ragas and more.
As a child growing up as the ninth generation of Patiala Gharana in Pakistan under the tutelage of his grandfather Akhtar Hussain, Shafqat had a tall order to follow.
“It was very tough. Being someone from Patiala Gharana is not easy. People expect a lot from you and there is lot of pressure to live up to that. My family was very strict and supportive as well. All my family members were inclined towards music and were hugely respected and admired in Pakistan. These things fascinated and attracted me to become like them,” explains Shafqat. On what was the first raga he ever learnt from his grandfather, he says, “The morning raga Gurjari Todi was the first one I ever learnt which was followed by Iman raga. Bhagyasree, Kaushik Dhwani, Iman and Lalit are some of the first ragas I ever learnt which are close to my heart as well.”
Known for being experimental with his music, Shafqat gravitated to a more alternative sound, though his fidelity to classical music is very strong and comes through in his music. A believer in not limiting himself, the singers experimentations include his stint on shows like MTV Unplugged Season 2, Coke Studio and The Dewarists Season 2, besides rendering soulful vocal histrionics in songs like Mitwa from Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna which made the music industry sit and take notice of him. He followed it up with hits like Yeh Hosla from Dor, Tere Naina from My Name is Khan, Dildaara from Ra.One and Tu Hi Mera from Jannat 2.
For now, the singer is looking forward to the release of his song Waariyan from the film Yaariyan. “It’s a beautiful song which I liked the moment I heard it. I like it immensely and hope the people will do too,” gushed the 48-year-old. He is also working on a new album with the Pakistani duo Shani and Kami with whom he had earlier worked in his debut album Tabeer.
Coming to Hyderabad for the second time, Shafqat is all praises for the people and hospitality he has recieved here. “Just like the first time, I have enjoyed myself a lot. The people here are wonderful. I liked the Hyderabadi biryani as well and I’m happy to be back in the city,” he said.
When asked what was it he liked best about singing live when compared to studio recordings, he replied, “Well both the formats give you a different high and have importance on their own. Recording in the studio is another experience as you know what technique you are going to use. In that way, singing live is different as you can be spontaneous and do your own variations which you may not do while dubbing and you instantly know whether people are appreciating it or not.”
Shafqat Amanat Ali was in the city to perform at the Secunderabad club as a part of the Royal Stag Mega Music MTv Unplugged concert.