Who doesn’t know Atif Aslam. He is “THE PAKISTANI GUY”. Lets have a sneak peek into his journey to stardom.
Student Life and “JAL”:
Atif attended high School at PAF College, Lahore, where he played Kabaddi and became interested in music.
He attended Punjab Institute of Computer Science (PICS) to do his Bachelors in Computer Science (BCs).
It was at PICS, Lahore that he met guitarist and talented young composer, Gohar Mumtaz. This lead to performances at their college and at various restaurants eventually pushing the pair into finding a name for their subtly formed band, which they named “Jal” – which means water.
Working together, the pair recorded the song Aadat (with the help of Salman Albert, amongst other established and accomplished Pakistani musicians). It became popular on a host of promotional Pakistani music websites.
The music video for Aadat was shot one day in a warehouse in Karachi. On the base of this one song, “Jal” began their tour of Pakistan—such was the strength of “Aadat”.
Atif leaving “JAL”:
However, whilst on tour, personal problems led to a verbal bust-up resulting in an unannounced and indefinite hiatus, during which Atif launched his solo career. Atif Aslam, after leaving Jal, released a new solo album, Jal Pari (meaning “Mermaid”) which was a big hit.
The Songs Woh Lamhey, Dil Haarey and few others were smash hits on both Pakistani radio stations and Music Channels. As both the Jal, “Aadat”, and Atif’s album, Jalpari, shared certain tracks (such as “Aadat”, “Bheegi Raatein”, “Wo Lamhey”, “Ankhon se”) an unofficial war over rights began which resulted in both sides claiming to possess hard proof to support their respective claims (that, they alone owned the concerned songs).
The hype this feud gave to both Atif and the new Jal was extraordinary and split the musical nation with the fans of each side backing their respective favourite.
Atif’s voice in BOLLYWOOD:
Whilst the drama of lyrics & composition ownership continued in Pakistan, Bollywood director Mahesh Bhatt called Atif Aslam to seek his consent to include “Woh Lamhey” in the soundtrack of his new motion picture, Zeher (2005).The song (especially the remix version) became a hit.
This pattern of a slow playback song by Atif in the movie, supplemented by a remix version released for radio airplay was to become standard procedure with Atif’s songs on the Indian market.
He recorded a song for the movie Kalyug (2005), entitled Juda Hokey Bhi – a slight variation of the ever famous Aadat song.
Like with “Wo Lamhey / Bheegi Yaadein”, a slow version became the theme for the movie and part of the official soundtrack, whilst a remixed version was released to hit the radio stations and desi clubs worldwide.
After recording for Kalyug, an Irani director in Hollywood contacted Atif and within very little time, Atif recorded three songs for that same director’s Hollywood movie, Man Push Cart and was rewarded with a small cameo role in the movie.
Atif re-emerged in the subcontinent with a new track, “Tere Bin” (translation: [Without You]) for the Bollywood Movie, Bas Ek Pal (2006). The song “Tere Bin” became a hit in India and Pakistan.
It was also being considered as one of the most touching and heart melting numbers of the year 2006.
In between the copyright war and media war with Gohar ( Jal ) and recording Bollywood songs, Atif has been touring the world and working on his new album.
Atif visited various countries in Asia, Europe & The Americas which include Pakistan,Bangladesh, India, UAE, UK, Canada & America—taking his sound to the “pardesi” (expatriates of the subcontinent) worldwide.
Atif’s new album has been entitled Doorie and has released on December 2006. The songs include Maula, Doorie, Kuch is tarah, and Hum Kis Gali.
Atif’s Passion:
For his immense passion for cricket he was selected in his school team as a fast bowler. Atif cleared his 10th grade in 14 years of age with a distinctive edge that he has always been the youngest boy in the class because of his double promotions while he was in Kimberley Hall.
Atif started his HSc in PAF College Lahore. Cricket was all the times with him. He was in his college team as well where he presented his college in other cities. Beside his studies he was putting his maximum time in practicing for the professional cricket. During his college life he came across with some interest in music. His eldest brother was having a collection of more than 8,000 songs of almost all music genres.
Un-intentionally he was developing a habit of listening to this all kind of music in his house.
As a good learner he quickly grasped the control of voice but till that time he was not interested in singing, his passion was to enter in Pakistan cricket team as a fast bowler and he was right on track while practicing at the net at Shapes club Lahore where Imran Khan use to come and give tips to him for bowling.
The twist in the story comes when one day he was singing with his friends at the college canteen. His friends insisted him to participate in the singing on Independence Day celebrations at PAF College Lahore and Sargodha in 1998. He performed there and won the competition. After HSc Atif Joined Punjab Institute of Computer Science Gulberg Campus. This time studies were much more demanding as compared to the previous ones. He has to sacrifice his time for the cricket.His hobby of singing continued when he entered in the singing competition of his college There were a total of 8 participants .The media team entered atif’s name in the competition at the eleventh hour and he won the competition singing a hit number of “string” “Duur”.
He kept on winning these competitions every semester until he announced that he will not participate in next competitions so that someone else can also win the competitions. He found Goher at his college who was having good interest in Music & was a good, talented guitarist. Together they use to practice a lot and started doing mini concerts for their friend.
Atif use to sing the Junoon’s and string’s song at the concert. The volume of audience kept on increasing. They performed concerts for their college, McDonalds and some other restaurants as well. Atif recorded the legendary song “AADAT” at Mekal Hassan’s Studio. Mekal injected his professionalism in the song to make it worth listening time after time. Atif formed the band and named the band as “JAL” which means water, the essence of life.
The song got popularity on the different musical websites on Pakistan. The song was also being on aired on major Radio channels of Pakistan like FMr within just 5 months of the sale and its still continuing.
Atif’s triumph – inflow of awards:
His song Woh Lamhay fetch him the nomination as best singer for 2005 in almost all the film awards of bollywood including Film Fare Awards, Zee Cine Awards, and IIFA Awards etc. He just got nominated for Best Playback Singer (Male) for his song “Tere Bin” from movie “Bas Ek Pal” for Filmfare Awards 2007.
Some of the awards he has won include: Best playback singer, Best debut singer – Sahara Sangeet Awards (India) Winner OF Best Song Best Lyricist Best Composition – ARY Music Awards (Pakistan) Most Wanted Male – The Music Awards (Pakistan)
He has been the judge of musical shows as well and has earned a good name in India too.
After his marriage he didn’t take much of break and is still in producing more of good musical stuff.
We wish him good fortune for the upcoming projects
S. Rasool
