Why Atif Aslam works Daniyal Bilgrami July 2, 2007 Tags: music , atif aslam , pain , depression As
I write this piece, I am listening to "Kuch is Tarah", a melancholic
rendition by Atif Aslam with music from an Indian composer and lyrics
from an Indian lyricist. As the song progresses I too start to belive
what many people have been saying about him:
"If the color blue could take a voice, it would be that of Atif Aslam"
Atif
Aslam has come a long way since his "Jalpari" days. He rules the
musical scene in Pakistan and I saw some days back that his latest
offering "Doorie" had been the top album on countdowns everywhere in
India for some 25 weeks or so.
People flock to his concerts. And
what a live performance he gives. From Adnan Sami’s "Bheegi Raatein" to
Kishore Kumar’s "Pyar Deewan Hota Hai" he gives them more than their
money’s worth. Not to mention even after three years may have passed he
still mesmerizes by singing "Aadat" for the millionth time.
Currently
his upcoming album "Hungami Haalat" has been controversially leaked.
And those who have downloaded better sounding versions realize that it
too will be another blockbuster.
Many of his
contemporaries like Ali Zafar are unable to match his popularity and
talent. Even accomplished and critically acclaimed artists like Mekal
Hassan, Abrar Ul Haq, Noori etc currently seem like a B-grade act in
front of him.
But the question is why and how?
Atif Aslam has a rare and unique voice but surely not the most melodious one.
His musical compostion is very raw as well and seems aimless in some of his songs.
And sometimes he sounds like a broken loud speaker.
Plus, critics accuse him of over doing his "Alaaps" (Aaaaa-aaa-hoooo...)
Even with all this he is at the moment the king of the mountain.
....
The answer to that is pain and depression.
Surprised? You shouldn’t be.
Had
Atif Aslam sung in the 90s he would not have lasted long. But as the
the new millennium came and stress levels and depressions started
reaching an all time high, the taste in music also underwent a change.
Be
it "Aadat", "Lamhay", "Tere Bin", "Kuch is Tarah" ...(even some
potential hits from his leaked album) all of his blockbuster songs have
been sad songs which make people remember pain, lost love, anguish,
injustice from their past, present and even the suffering they will
possibly e going through in the future.
As long as pain and
depression will remain, Atif Aslam will rule the roost and no matter
how peppy Ali Zafar & Co. get, they will not be able to mathc him
as the masses suffer from despondence.
