Pakistan
has been in a state of emergency ever since the memory jogs back (one
does see hope rising on the horizon of a new democratic system) but as
experts say, from oppression rises some of the best art and literature
and our music industry is solid proof of that. While the government has
done little to facilitate the music scene back home, thus squeezing
musicians over and across the border, it has been gracious enough to
recognize some of the formidable forces. At
the President's Awards ceremony held at the Governor's House (Lahore)
on March 23 (Pakistan Day), a couple of the industry's biggest players
were brought into a limelight of another kind - a kind they're not
quite used to! Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan received the Presidential Award,
Atif Aslam and Zulfiqar Ali alias Pappu Saein received the
Tamgha-e-Imtiaz and vocalists Reshma and Ustad Hamid Ali Khan along
with film director Shoaib Mansoor received the prestigious
Sitara-i-Imtiaz. While many of
these artistes were inaccessible, Instep Today managed to get in touch
with Shafqat Amanat Ali and Atif Aslam on receiving this honour and how
they feel it can change anything about the way entertainment and music
is promoted in Pakistan. Here's Atif on the hotline ….
How did it feel to be honoured by the government at the President's Award ceremony this year?
Atif
Aslam: It was amazing! The ceremony was great. The people there were so
fascinating. There was this one man who was being honoured for making
khussas. There were so many different kinds of people and it felt
amazing to be part of this crowd.
And there you were, all dressed up in a sherwani!
AA:
The sherwani part was fascinating. We were told it had to be black tie
and in Pakistan 'black tie' means a sherwani. So Shahbaz (Atif's
brother and official stylist) designed one for me. But when I wore it,
I told him I felt like a dulha. It was weird but also cool in a way.
Why do you think you were given the award this year specifically?
AA:
I think because I represented Pakistan internationally a lot this year.
That's what the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz stands for. It's awarded to people who
make Pakistan proud globally. I performed in around 25 different
countries this year and that's why I received it. It is always a great
feeling to honour one's country.
Other than India, which country do you think you're most popular in?
AA:
Strangely, I was very pleasantly surprised in Mauritius. I was there
around March 12 - my birthday - and a girl in a shop recognized me.
Shahbaz was buying me balloons and stuff and suddenly all these fans
appeared wishing me the best of wishes. I was really surprised because
I never knew that the people of Mauritius knew me that well. That night
I performed in front of 14,000 people. It was a great experience. But
other than Mauritius, even Norway and London are great.
You've made quite a name for yourself in India too, but there has been some strong criticism by singers like Sunidhi Chauhan and Abhijeet who say that you can't sing…
AA:
(laughs) I've never said I can sing. Look, unlike these guys, I have no
professional training and I always say that I cannot sing. I agree I
cannot sing. What's amazing is that I've made a career out of doing
something I can't do. Sunidhi is a brilliant singer and she is welcome
to her opinion. As for Abhijeet, I have to say that his opinion rises
from his anti-Muslim sentiments.
You've also made some admirers, like Bipasha Basu…
AA: Bipasha is quite an interesting dish!
There have been rumours that you have been getting offers to act in Bollywood films too?
AA:
I have but am waiting for the right script, no matter how clichéd that
sounds. Right now my music career is going great. My album, Meri
Kahani, has been number one on charts in India and Pakistan. I don't
want to put my music career at risk right now.
Do
you think the fact that the government is recognizing musicians will
make a difference to how music is perceived in this country? Can the
government do anything to facilitate the progress of this industry?
AA:
I think the government has promoted it, which is why it's going places.
Pakistani music is going places, man! We're being appreciated all over
the world. At the Award Ceremony, I was told that I'm the youngest
artiste to have gotten this award and even more was expected from me.
So, are you already working on your next album?
AA:
Like I said, Meri Kahani is still in the spotlight. 'Pehli Nazar Main'
is in the spotlight and is doing exceptionally well. Yes I will start
working on my next album soon but it'll be a commercial album unlike Meri Kahani. I am going to go commercial now. Plus, other than that,I am recording a song for an Indian film (starring Shahid Kapoor and Vidya Balan) called Qismat Connection these days.
Pakistan
has been in a state of emergency ever since the memory jogs back (one
does see hope rising on the horizon of a new democratic system) but as
experts say, from oppression rises some of the best art and literature
and our music industry is solid proof of that. While the government has
done little to facilitate the music scene back home, thus squeezing
musicians over and across the border, it has been gracious enough to
recognize some of the formidable forces. At
the President's Awards ceremony held at the Governor's House (Lahore)
on March 23 (Pakistan Day), a couple of the industry's biggest players
were brought into a limelight of another kind - a kind they're not
quite used to! Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan received the Presidential Award,
Atif Aslam and Zulfiqar Ali alias Pappu Saein received the
Tamgha-e-Imtiaz and vocalists Reshma and Ustad Hamid Ali Khan along
with film director Shoaib Mansoor received the prestigious
Sitara-i-Imtiaz. While many of
these artistes were inaccessible, Instep Today managed to get in touch
with Shafqat Amanat Ali and Atif Aslam on receiving this honour and how
they feel it can change anything about the way entertainment and music
is promoted in Pakistan. Here's Atif on the hotline …. 
strong criticism by singers like Sunidhi Chauhan and Abhijeet who say that you can't sing…
facilitate the progress of this industry? 
