Read my post-Fuzon concert blog on https://koffeewithamommy.blogspot.com/2008/10/driving-away-mid-week-blues.html
Shafqat Amanat Ali, born in 1965, is the
son of Ustad Amanat Ali Khan, making him part of the nine-generation-old
Patiala Gharana. He has been a student of Hindustani classical music since age of
four, his grandmother being his first teacher.
His main influences in music come from his
father and his uncle Ustad Fateh Ali Khan sahab as well as Roshanara Begum, to
name a few. He is younger brother of late singer Asad Amanat Ali Khan. He got
his Bachelors degree in 1988 from Government College University, Lahore (now
known as GC University). He received the role of honour from the Music Society
of Government College University, Lahore.
Shafqat Amanat Ali was also the lead
vocalist of a Pakistani band Fuzon. He belongs to the Patiala gharana of classical
music. The gharana is famous for its concentration on intricate taan-patterns
and sargams. With his family, he has been part of the Pakistani classical
musical tradition for eight generations.
While he is one of the best current singers
in Pakistan, Shafqat is also highly respected in India after performing the
vocals for the song Mitwa from the film Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna.
The song was well received by the audience as well as the critics. He was also
the voice behind the critically acclaimed song Yeh Honsla from the film Dor.
After leaving the band Fuzon in 2004,
Shafqat has concentrated on his solo career working on two different albums - Tabeer
(which has been already released) and other is his trademark fusion album for
Pakistan.
Priya Rajendran chats up with Ustad
Shafqat Amanat Ali...
A few excerpts:
When did your love for Sufi music
begin...
I have been listening to this genre of
music since childhood. I was mostly inspired by classical music.
Who was your inspiration or artistes...
I used to listen to artistes like Sai
Akhtar and Zaheeda Parveen as I loved and admired their style of singing. They
were really good classically trained singers who loved their singing and music.
Your Guru...
My grandfather Ustad Akhtar Hussain Khan.
Otherwise, the rest of my family - my brothers, uncles, dadi and aunties -
father’s sisters - they all taught me music. They insisted that I listen to all
genres of music. But I took to Sufi music.
Sufism for you...
My love for Sufi music is because I can
connect to God through this. Since so much is happening in this world -
disasters, blasts etc, Sufi also helps heal wounded souls and drives away one's
blues. I feel that Sufi is all about humanity and human relations with God. You
don’t need a priest, mullah or any other middle person to get in touch with
God. It has no boundaries too.
Do you think Sufi has been a neglected
genre of music?
No, I don't agree with this. Sufi has
always been there. It originated from the interiors of Pakistan. People have
always had high regard for this genre, simply because it really transports
them to another world. It is just that fundamentalists were against this form
of music in its early years. Another reason was that other genres of music have
dominated the scene.
So, is it that Sufi has sort of made a
comeback? Especially after NDTV Imagine's reality show Junoon...
It’ot really a comeback. I had also been
approached for the same show too, but had to turn it down due to some reasons.
But yes it is definitely a great platform for the youth to perform. At the same
time, there is a danger that this show must not mislead youth into thinking
that Sufi is simply about enmeshing music on guitar tunes amalgamated with
tabla. Sufi is beyond all that. One must have a deep passion for this music.
Also, the reality show must pick up the right people as sometimes, there is a
danger of wrong public voting. Also, Bulla ki jana, which was sung in Junoon and Rabbi’s
version is way different from the original. So there's a problem with killing
this music too.
How did your latest album Tabeer come
about...
It was entirely Music Today’s idea. They
approached me, asking me to compose tracks for a Sufi album. I sent them
samples of music and they realized that Sufi is not what they had perceived as.
But then this album was created and the rest as you know is history.
Your favourite track in Tabeer: Khairheyan
de naal
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