Pakistani singer wows Doha audience Thursday, 21 April 2011 00:11

Javed Bashir, a prominent Pakistani singer talks with Azmat Haroon about his musical ventures.

Listeners of classical music were in for a treat recently when prominent Pakistani singer, composer and lyricist, Javed Bashir (pictured) gave two packed concerts in Doha. The musician, hailing from a lineage of signers from Jalandhar, has been singing Qawwali - a Sufi devotional form of music - for more than two decades. As a young child, he trained under the legends Ustad Mubarak Ali Khan and Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

“Classical music is unique in its own right. Only a person who has knowledge of this genre can truly appreciate the nuances of classical music,” said Bashir. “It was very encouraging to see people in Qatar enjoying Sufi music as much as I enjoyed singing it for them,” he added.

Javed Bashir began his musical career in 1992 when he first collaborated with Bally Sagoo, and later Rishi Rich, British Indian producers of Bhangra and R&B fusion music.

In 2002, Javed Bashir, recipient of television channel etc’s ‘Best Sufi Singer’ award, joined Pakistan’s rock sensation - the Mekaal Hassan Band. Bashir composed a number of songs along with the band which included favourites such as ‘Chal Buleya’. The lyrics, inspired by the poem of Bhagat Kabir, were penned by Bashir himself. The track topped music charts of Pakistan in 2010. However, the same year, Javed Bashir parted ways with the Mekaal Hassan Band to head out on a solo career.

“The differences between me and the band grew too strong, and it became increasingly difficult for us to work together. The way Mekaal and I work is very different, and I think it was in my best interest to leave the group,” Bashir said.

Coke Studio, a brainchild of Rohail Hyatt and Pakistan’s live music series, featured Javed Bashir in its Second season. Bashir sang ‘Aj Latha Nayeo’ with the house band, which became the benchmark collaboration of Coke Studio Season 2.

In Doha, Javed Bashir toured with Punjab Music Group and performed in concerts in Doha Cinema and the Diplomatic Club.

Talal Rafi, one of the young musicians of Qatar, who played rhythm guitar in the concert of Javed Bashir, said that he had the best seat in the house because he sat right behind (see picture) the great legend.

“His extra-ordinary control over rhythm and melody kept me on my toes all the time. For the first time in my life, I felt transformed when I performed. The way he played, encouraged me to “think out of the box” and that really brought out the best in me,” said Talal.

Bashir recently recorded three songs with Indian composers Shankar Ehsan Loy, Vishal Shekhar and Monty Sharma. His album, ‘Sub Rung’, produced by Geo Television is available in the market. THE PENINSULA

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