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mideastMix
Pakistani hit musicians salute 2011 in Dubai
Praseeda Nair
Khaleej Times
Pakistani music icons Atif
Aslam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan took Dubai by storm in their first ever
on-stage collaboration, Salam 2011, on Thursday.
Khaleej Times spoke with the vocalists just ahead of the concert.
As a student and nephew of
legendary qawwali singer Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Rahat began
performing on stage at the age of 11 with his ustad in 1985. What keeps us going as musicians is a strong belief and passion for music and its power to unite, he said.
As a renowned qawwali singer
who is equally well known for his contributions to the Bollywood music
scene, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has garnered a huge fan-base in India after
composing over 50 songs for box office hits like Dabangg and My Name Is
Khan.
Both countries share common
passion -- a love for films and cricket. Through this, we all must
surely try to bring the neighbours together. I have always tried to
advocate peace on both sides of the border through my singing and will
continue to do so, the singer told Khaleej Times. Pakistani bands are
much popular in India as Indian songs are popular in Pakistan. Since the
audiences look for change, they accept the new thing that comes their
way.
Rahat recently won the Best
International Act award at the UK Asian Music Awards for his
composition in Dabangg (Tere Mast Mast do Nain), suggesting a revival
of more traditional forms of music that challenges the popular
auto-tuned melodies and electro-beats of contemporary South Asian music. There
is no definition of what is good or bad in music, but I feel that there
is always going to be a future for qawwali. Its the music of the
soul, Rahat stated.
Sharing the stage with the king of qawwali is pop sensation Atif Aslam. With
more than five international stage shows this year under his wing, Atif
has been more on stage than in the studios. I prefer the stage as a
vehicle of expression. Its an immediate medium and I feel more in touch
with the world around me, the Pakistani youth icon said.
I think Prince (his recent
Bollywood project) was over-commercial -- which is totally not my style.
I dont want to be a six-pack hero with no substance. I want to do
something that will reflect reality. With the flood situation in
Pakistan having displaced so many people, I felt disconnected, like I
was getting too commercial. I needed more time to explore myself, work
on my music and get back to reality, he added.
Fans can look forward to Atifs
new album, a collaboration with Guns n Roses and a film project in
the wings, ready to be released soon.
Salam 2011 is our chance to
have fun with our fans. We are experimenting with new compositions and
styles since we re singing together for the first time,Atif said.
The duo ended the concert with a
tribute to the late Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan while ringing in the
new decade in his honour as a Pakistani music legend that inspired a
whole generation of artistes. | 
