Arshad Mehmood

Acting career

Arshad Mehmood is perhaps best known for his acting role in Aangan Terha, a popular TV drama serial. He also played a secondary but important role of “Baba” (Dr Ahmer’s foster father) in the drama serial Dhoop Kinare. Other acting performance includes Ankahi.

Music composition

Arshad Mehmood has composed music for many Ghazals sung by Nayyara Noor and Tina Sani. He composed music for many Pakistani drama serials and long plays including Dhoop Kinare. Some of the ghazals included in the music of the drama Dhoop Kinare were performed by Nayyara Noor including “Main tum se na puchun”, “Raat yun dil mein teri” and “Hansi khanakti hui” (the theme song). He is also supported Ali Haider from the very beginning of his careeron his first musical album Jane-Jan-Sun which was released by EMI pakistan . In this album the song DOSTI KI MEHK was included which was also included in Dhoop Kinare. If the recording is seen carefully his music is all over serial . He has also composed music for many Milli naghmas (National songs) including “Watan ki mitti gwah rehna”.

Recent works

He acted in Khamosh Pani (2003), a movie set in Pakistan of 1970’s. He is a faculty member at National Academy of Performing Arts, Karachi, Pakistan. He also took part in a very famous comedy skit play called 50 50

Currently, he is composing music for an Indian film named, ‘YAMLA PAGAL DEWANA’ which is produced under the banner of Dharma Productions. The whole music of the film is directed by Nouman Javaid. He also sung two song of the film including, ‘CHALO’ and ‘PYAR MAIN’. He introduced ‘Ali Pervaiz’ a new singer from Pakistan in his bollywood movie. Ali Pervaiz is the son of Legendary Mr. Parvaiz Mehdi. Mr. Dharmandar, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol are the star cast of the film and the film is directed by Sameer Kartick. Recently, Nouman did two title songs for TV Dramas of Six Sigma Production. Noman wrote the lyrics of title track ‘Kya Karoon’ for the drama serial ‘Tere Bina’. The Title track of the other drama serial has been composed by Waqar Ali.

Title of the song is DHERRY DHERRY of drama serial DADDY.

Now days, he is in Karachi working in a drama Serial of BULZ EYE PRODUCTION. The Drama is directed by Mr. Zaheer Khan. Star Cast of the Drama includes, Mr. Qazi Wajid, Sajjid Hassan, Arjumand Rahim, Mehwish Hayat and Myra Khan. Young Nouman Javaid is very excited and passionate about his debut in acting. He also wants to work hard and get success in his acting career.

FAVORITES:

Games: In PS -2, Stunt Man, Medal of Honor, Resident Evil

Actors: Jackie Chan, Kamal Hassan, Talat Hussain, Tom Hangs, Salman Shahid.

Actress: Babra Sharif, Rani Mukherjee, Aisha Takia and Bipasha Basu.

Food: Daal Chawal, Chinese, Pizza

Fruit: Peach

Film: Andaz Apna Apna, Jism, Jab We Meet, Perfume, Howard the Duck and Tremors

Song: Dard-e-Tanhai

Director:  Steven Spielberg, Maheash Bhatt, Shoaib Mansoor and Saqib Malik.

TV Shows: House, Super Natural, Malcolm in the Middle.

REGRETS:

When we ask, Nouman about the regret of his life he said, my life is full of regrets, there is a series of loses in my life which effects me a lot in past, during the discussion he narrates a stanza of a poem,

Zindagi Jabar-e-Musalsal Ke Tarha Kati hai

Jan e Kis Jurm ke Pai Hay Saza Yad Nahi

He loves his family and fans. For him, his fans are also his family. He has many friends but he doesn’t have any close friend. Micheal Jacson, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Muhammad Rafi and Reshma are his inspirations.

INSPIRATIONS:

Michael Jackson, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Muhammad Rafi and Reshma are his inspirations. According to Nouman, he learns a lot from them.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

It’s better to flame out, then to burn out

FUTURE PLAN:

In future he wants to make his mother, ‘the most happiest woman on the earth’ and he wants to become the most well reputed name of the Industry.

LAST WORDS:

I request people that, be more positive, be rational and don’t be judgmental.

Interviewee: Nouman Javaid

Interviewer: Rass Qureshi (Special Project Executive-24World Online)

Readers Sensory Appeal: If you are interested to lead your event, you are more than welcome, do write us on info@24worldonline.com

Ali Azmat

Early career

Azmat grew up in Lahore, which he credits for his unconventional attitude. He went to Australia for his higher studies, but due to financial difficulties he returned to Pakistan before completing university. His first band ‘Jupiters’ was known for performing covers at small gigs, such as weddings, in Lahore. While with them, Azmat wrote his legendary hit song Dosti. He later sang and recorded Dosti with Junoon, after which the song gained national fame.

Junoon

Junoon was Pakistan’s biggest band famous for combining traditional poetry and instruments with rock music. Azmat was the lead vocalist of the band. With Junoon, he toured extensively, doing two North American tours a year since 1992. He performed in Europe, the Middle East and China and at the European rock festival, Roskilde in June 2000. He left Junoon in 2005 to pursue a solo career.

Solo career

Ali Azmat released his first solo album, Social Circus, in March 2005 to critical acclaim. Social Circus was a massive departure from Junoon’s style and won 23 awards in Pakistan, including Best Album and Best Producer. In India, Azmat was nominated for Best Soundtrack and Best Song at the Sahara Awards held in London, for his single “Garaj Baras” in the Pooja Bhatt film Paap. Azmat’s second album, Klashinfolk, was released in August 2008 and recorded at Mekaal Hasan Studios in Lahore. Klashinfolk also received significant critical acclaim across Pakistan, although (like Social Circus) it was not a huge commercial success.

Bollywood

The hit song Sayooni was chosen by Azmat to be used for his debut as a Bollywood music director and singer. He also signed for one of Rahul Dholakia’s episode on Mumbai-11 and the film, Tera Kya Hoga Johnny, which was directed by Sudhir Mishra.

Najam Sheraz

Najam Sheraz was born in Multan, Pakistan on August 2, 1969. A natural sportsman, he played professional cricket with cricketing legends such as Inzamam-ul-Haq, Waqar Younis, and Mushtaq Ahmed. He is graduate of University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore where he studied and graduate in B. Tech. in civil engineering. He formed his first band with his elder brothers Booby (Dr. Zubair Adnan in Rawalpindi Pakistan) and Joji (Salman Nadeem in Brampton, ON, Canada) called Brother Rhythm in 1987. Both brothers till date seriously consider themselves better, more sophisticated music lovers and musicians than the much famous younger brother.

His second band came together in 1989. Wet Metal was at that time considered the best live band in the circuit. Performing in almost 1,000 shows all over the country, Najam Sheraz established himself as one of the strongest voices on stage.

He has sung and composed song for the new Aditya Narayan Movie Shaapit, titled “TERE BINA JIYA NA JAYE”

Solo career

In December 1993 the band members parted ways and Najam Sheraz began working on his solo career. His first solo single, ‘In Sae Nain’, was released in September 1994. It was an instant hit, selling more than 300,000 copies. ‘Sohna Chata Hoon’ his second single, received critical acclaim with its release in March 1995. It was soon followed by the release of his first solo album ‘Khazana’ in February 1996 and the video release of ‘Larki’, which brought him to the forefront of the musical mainstream. ‘Khazana’ sold a million copies, supported by the videos ‘Aajana’ ‘Yeh Baat Kise Maloom Nahin’ and ‘Pyar Ki Piyas’. This album took Najam on his first foreign tour to Bahrain where he achieved huge success.

The lyrics of the song “Pyar Ki Pyas” were penned by Tahir Gul Hasan for a pop band named Wet Metal that had Najam Sheraz as the lead singer. The music was composed, played (except the lead guitar), recorded and mixed by Tahir at his own studios: Sound On Sound, Karachi.

Wet Metal’s entire album’s lyrics, music and recording came from Tahir Gul Hasan but the group disbanded before the album was finished. In 1993, “Pyar Ki Piyas” became the band’s first single on TV. Najam Sheraz would later use “Pyar Ki Pyas” in his successful studio album: Khazana.

His next project was an experimental album, an eastern classical-rock fusion called ‘Rakh Aas’ with the band Karavan in November 1997.

His second solo album, ‘Roop Nagar’, was released in 1999 in Pakistan. Its first video release, ‘Pal Do Pal Ki Chahat’, was the first 35 mm music video to ever be produced in Pakistan. Najam was instantly signed by Pepsi Cola International in Pakistan and BMG-Cresendo in India. This album took him on his first North American tour to more than 10 cities. He also performed in Kuwait, where he was the first ever live act from Pakistan, and was especially well received.He has worked intensively in Europe and India with frequent visits to North America as well. His song for Anti Narcotics Force in 2007 became the Force’s anthem and he has been acclaimed as an Ambassador-at-large by the ANF for his work with youth and deprived classes.

Breakout

Sheraz’s first international release in 2000 was ‘Pal Do Pal Ki Chahat’. In the same year, 20th Century Fox launched the film Split Wide Open. Sheraz’s song ‘Mera Jee Nahin Laage’ was included on the soundtrack along with Air Supply, Asha Bhosle and Garbage. With this achievement, Najam Sheraz became the second Pakistani artist after Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan to be included on the soundtrack of an international film.

In February 2000, Sheraz released his first Punjabi album, ‘Pyar Karannu Dil Karda’, which produced hits like ‘Pyar Karannu Dil Karda’, ‘Rabba’, and ‘Kajla’.

In February 2002 he released his fifth album, ‘Jaisay Chaho Jiyo’, which produced hits like ‘Jaisay Chaho Jiyo’, ‘Ahista Ahista’ and the huge success ‘Aao Wahan Chalen’.

The Cricket World Cup of 2002 saw the success of ‘Jeeto Mere Laal’, which was also dedicated to the Pakistani Blind Cricket World Cup Champions.

In the Ramadan of 2002, the hamd ‘Yeh Mamla Koi Aur Hai’ became a major hit. The intensity and spirit of the song became so popular that it precedes every concert performance and audiences of every age and creed join voices in its recitation.

On 14 August, 2003 saw the launch of ‘Hamari Pehchan’ and ‘Gillay Shikway Sub Bhula Do’. ‘Hamari Pehchan’ was directed towards raising nationalistic spirit, whereas ‘Gillay Shikway Sub Bhula Do’ focused on reuniting towards peace and brotherhood.

‘Shahpar’, a song about the Pakistan Air Force, was released on 6 September, 2003.

The Ramadan of 2003 saw the release of the album ‘Yeh Mamla Koi Aur Hai’. Its release was imminent due to the success of the single of the same name in 2002. It included other naats such as ‘Rahain Bhatakne Walay’, ‘In Fizaon Sae Aage’, ‘Gillay Shikway Sub Bhula Do’, ‘Shahpar’, ‘Aae Watan Pyare Watan’, Allama Iqbal’s ‘Lab Pae Aati Hai Dua’ and ‘Kar Liya Sauda’.

Amanat Ali

Early years

During Ali’s teenage years he organized musical shows. Ali once performed with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, who paid him five hundred rupees for his performance.

Amanat is the son of singer Nazakat Ali. His uncle Hasan Sadiq is a Shia recitor who sings religious eulogies for Hazrat Muhammad (Sallah ho Ally hy Wa Salam) and his household. His other uncle Sharafat Ali also sings religious eulogies, which are called Nohas. They also sing dhamals for Qalanders. Hassan Sadiq is also one of Ali’s instructors.

Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2007

Amanat was billed to be from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, but it was later revealed that he is originally from Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Kohram

He also launched his first album named ‘Kohram’.was sponsored by telenor.

Habib Wali Mohammad

Early life

Born in Rangoon to a conservative memon family. His family, Tabani, an industrial house has large business holdings in Pakistan.

He received his MBA from Syracuse University in 1947, and then lived in Bombay for about 10 years before moving to Pakistan. His brother Ashraf W. Tabani was governor of the province of Sindh around 1988.)

Career

Habib Wali is practically from the very second group of singers ever to record the art form and is still at his peak today. But probably because of his background and place as a member of a well-established family, Habib Wali has never pursued as aggressive and mainstream a career as a singer as others, though is still highly regarded.

He is known for singing ghazal of last Moghul Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, Lagta Nahin Hai Jee Mera Ujray Diyar Mein.

His family name was Tabani, though he became famous as Habib Wali Mohammad. His family migrated to Bombay, where he took classical music lessons from Ustad Latafath Husain, nephew of Ustad Fayyaz Khan. But due to economic reasons, he gave priority to academics. His musical activities were limited to singing ghazals in college functions. After completing bachelors in Bombay, he studied for his MBA in USA. In mid 1940s he returned to Bombay.

In Bombay he won first prize in a large music competition. This propelled him to release his first album of ghazals. This record was to make him a celebrated singer. After partition, his family migrated to Pakistan and established an industrial group. He gave most of his time to the family business, recording ghazals and geet-s for films in his spare time. Concerts though were limited. In the eighties he released an album of ghazals composed by Nisar Bazmi.

He has been awarded the Nigar award. His famous ghazals include Bahadur Shah Zafar’s ‘Na kisi ki Aankh ka noor hoon’ and Qamar Jalalavi’s ‘Kab mera nasheman ahelay chaman’. He is now retired and lives in California with his family.

His other well known ghazal includes “Aaj jane ki zidd na karo”. He also sang the famous national song, “Roshan-o-Rakhshan, Nayyar-o-Tabaan, Pakistan rahay”.

Way back in 1941, in Bombay, some young music lovers between 17 and 19 years of age were waiting outside a room for an audition.One by one, each candidate went in the room and was tested for his voice, diction, pronunciation and other technicalities necessary to become a singer. Amongst those enthusiastic teenagers was an eighteen year old lad, whose name was Mukesh Chand Mathur. Behind Mukesh was another young boy and whose family name was Habib Tabani (popularly known as Habib Wali Mohammad). Both of these young gentlemen passed the audition!

Habib Wali Mohammad was born in 1921, in Rangoon, to a conservative memon family. He migrated to Bombay at a young age. He was very fond of listening to Qawwali since his childhood. Innocent as he was, he thought that Qawwali is what the music is all about. A little later, he started taking interest in classical music in Bombay. He took lessons in classical music from Ustaad Fayyaz khan’s nephew, Latafath Husain. However, due to academic pursuits, his interest in music was pushed aside.

With the passage of time, he was more inclined towards ghazal singing. He participated in college musical functions and came to be known as the ‘Taan sain’ in his college. As soon as he finished his college education, his parents sent him to America and he completed his MBA degree in the U.S.A.

He returned to Bombay in the mid forties, and took part in a music competition, in which 1200 singers had participated. Habib Wali Mohammad had sung Bahadur Shah Zafar’s immortal ghazal: ‘Lagta nahi hai jee mera, ujray dayar mein’ and a panel of judges awarded him the first prize.

Encouraged by this honor, at a young age, he took more interest in ghazal singing. During his stay in America, he had been out of touch with music. Hence, he felt lonely and missed his earlier college functions in Bombay. In his own words: He was not happy in ‘Ujray dayar mein’ the same ghazal which had won him an award of a life time. He put a lot of effort and came out with a gramophone record of ghazals in his voice. On one side of the record, he dubbed Bahadur Shah Zafar’s ghazals and on the other side, Ghalib’s ghazals.

Unfortunately, the Indian public was reluctant to buy them.

In those days, a prominent Indian actress, Meena Kumari, was affiliated with Radio Ceylon, she happened to listen to those ghazals and liked them so much, that she made it a point to broadcast them daily from Radio Ceylon. Thousands of listeners heard those ghazals on radio and rushed to the music stores to buy the gramophone records: Habib Wali Mohammad became a celebrity.

After partition, he migrated to Pakistan and sang ghazals for the gramophone companies.(including a geeth written by Perveen Shakir: ‘Gori karath singhar’) In eighties, he recorded ghazals in audio cassettes which were composed by renowned music director Nisar Bazmi. Also, he received offers to record play back songs for the Pakistan film industry.

First and foremost, he is a businessman.(Shalimar silk mills is owned by Tabani group), however, at his leisure, he did record quite a few numbers for movies. He never made music his profession. Music has always been a hobby for him.

Every now and then, he took some time off for radio, television, film or private concerts.

Apart from this, he also received the prestigious nigar award.

He sang a ghazal written by Ustaad Qamar Jalalavi which was an instant hit: ‘Kab mera nasheman ahelay chaman’. All ghazals of Bahadur Shah Zafar, sung by Habib Wali Mohammad were mega hits, including: ‘Na kisi ki Aankh ka noor hoon’

Personal life

Habib Wali Mohammad lives in California, United States with his wife, Rehana and his family, including his son, Nadeem Wali Mohammad

Discography

Some of the ghazals, recorded in the voice of Habib Wali Mohammad are listed here below:

‘Ye na thi hamari Qismath’: poet: Ghalib

‘Ja kahio unsay naseem-e-sahar’: poet: Bahadur Shah Zafar.

‘Gajra bana kay lay Aa malaniya’: poet: Afshan Rana.

Following are the ghazals, which are considered as a treasure for the Pakistani films:

‘Aaj janay ki zid na karo’: poet: Fayyaz Hashmi, picturised on Nadeem

‘Aashiyan jal gaya’ :poet: Raaz Illahabadi, film: ‘Baazi’

‘Raatain theen chandni’:Film: ‘Baazi’

National songs like: ‘Roshan-o- afshan, nayyar-o-taban’

Recent Concerts

Habib Wali Mohammad Recently had a ghazal concert on Saturday February 27, 2010 in Edison, NJ and on February 28 in West Virginia, performing with his son Nadeem Wali Mohammad, and former singer Bela modi

Faakhir Mehmood

Faakhir has produced three albums as prior to 2006. His 2000 debut album, Aatish, was a big hit. His song in the album called Dil Na Lagey was the number one song for many weeks and was the best national song of the year 2000.

His latest album is Mantra. On that album there is a song called Jiya Na Jaye, in which Faakhir shares a duet with Indian singer Sunidhi Chauhan. Another song in that album called Mahi Ve won two awards in the India Sangeet Awards, in which he also performed.

One reason why Faakhir’s music is popular is because of its unique use of diverse music and lyrics. He has a lot of Western and European influences in his music. His song Dil Ruba which is a track with Spanish influence and his song Kabhi Kabhi Pyar Mein were also instant hits. His single Sub To Suniyeh was also a big hit. As of 2007, Faakhir has decided to take a break on his music career so he can spend more time with his family.

Awaz

Faakhi attended the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore but moved to United States. After graduating with a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from the George Washington University in the United States in the early 1990. It was his university years when he met with Asad Ahmed and Haroon. Together, they formed the band Awaz.

Solo career

Faakhir started working on his album ‘Aatish’ in July 2000 by releasing his 1st single in August, a national song ‘Dil Na Lagay’. This national song become an instant hit and topped the music charts in Pakistan..

Riding on his wave of success he performed in New York and Washington DC where he sang to crowd of more than 30,000 people.

The same year he charmed a large audience in Dubai, UAE.

2001 was perhaps the most gratifying year for Faakhir as an artist as his other two releases, ‘Kabhi Kabhi Pyaar Mein’ and ‘Dilruba’ both topped the charts and became instant hits.

The song ‘Kabhi Kabhi Pyaar Mein’ won a Lux Style Awards while his other single ‘Dilruba’ (Pakistan’s most expensive Music Video, shot in Spain) was also nominated for best video and Direction at the same prestigious ceremony.

To me music is like the stars in the sky, it does to the soul, what the stars do to break the muteness of the stark black sky” -Faakhir

His acts are filled with energy, charged with unmistakable enthusiasm and a charismatic voice to compliment all the magic that unfolds on stage.

His ‘Sage Traits’ has enabled him as a much sought-after and liked performer. His heartthrob personality and melodious songs come together in perfect harmony to create a ‘concert; out of any ordinary ‘show’.

“The most promising act to come up these days is surely Faakhir” -The News July 22, 2001

Faakhir’s live shows have taken his ’music and magic’ to many countries in the world including the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia in addition to big and small cities across Pakistan.

Faakhir has performed alongside International contemporaries from the region and Europe including, Sukhbir and Stereo Nation to name a few.

Faakhir has to his credit having done the most numbers of shows with International Artists in Pakistan.

As a soloist

“Multi skilled Faakhir has been compared with Adnan Sami Khan because he is trained as a musician, writes his lyrics, composes music, produces and sings”

Eastern Eye, London June 29, 2001

Now that I have started singing, I know there is no turning back. And the more I get involved in it now, the more I realize what I have been missing- at least not any more. -Faakhir

Faakhir’s long association with Awaz was a satisfying experience. His dedication, compositions and arrangements for the band led to many smash hits. Its success can be measured from the fact that these hits still echo in people’s mind and come to their lips besides being aired on TV and radio regularly. His famous works include, ‘Mr. Fraudiye’, ‘Ae Jawan’, and ‘Shawa’ just to name a few.

After deciding to go solo, Faakhir started work on his debut Album, ‘Aatish’.

In July 2000, his efforts bore fruit as his very first song for the album; Dil Na lagey won him instantaneous approval and recognition as a singer. He song stayed on music charts as ‘Number one’ of many weeks before being declared as the best national song for the year 2000 by a local FM Radio Station.

Awards

• Pride of Performance Award (Musics)

Albums

• Aatish (2002)
• Sub Tun Sohniyeh (2003)
• Mantra (2005)

Salma Agha

Early life

Salma was grand daughter of 30’s/40’s famous actress Anwari Begum who played the role of Heer in the first ever Punjabi film in the Indian sub-continent Heer Ranjha (1932). Famous musician Rafiq Ghaznavi was her grand father and her mother Nasreen worked with K. L. Saigal in Shahjahan (1946) and Aik roz (1947). She was born to a wealthy father in Karachi and moved to London at the age of 9. Agha is the granddaughter of famous Indian actor – Prithviraj Kapoor’s brother-in-law; thus she is related to the famous Indian film family – Kapoors.

Career

Salma along with sister Sabina produced and sang for a record called AGHA – Salma and Sabina Agha sing ABBA hits in Hindi. The record made a few waves and was applauded by critics. However, it didn’t create any major ripples in the Hindi film circles at the time.

When acclaimed Indian director Raj Kapoor was at the London reception of his son Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh’s wedding, he invited his cousin Zarina Agha (Salma’s mother) to the reception. Present at the wedding were many prominent Indian directors, including B.R. Chopra. Chopra had just finished a female oriented hit with Zeenat Aman called Insaf Ka Tarazu. He had just commissioned a heroine-oriented movie called Talaq Talaq Talaq and was on the look out for a Muslim actress. Zeenat Aman (even though, half Muslim) he felt had a much too urban look to portray the character of Neelofar in his movie. Raj Kappor too was on the lookout for a Muslim girl his movie Heena. Soon Raj Kapoor nixed plans and went ahead with Prem Rog. Hearing that Chopra was looking for a Muslim girl, Salma flew to Bombay to meet him. Using her uncle Raj Kapoor’s connection, Salma was soon hired.

When the music directors heard Salma’s ABBA hits they signed her on to sing her own playback songs. The songs were a huge success even before the movie was released. The movie got stuck with the Islamic clerics who were to approve the movie before its release. They insisted on a name change and Chopra rechristened the movie Nikah. The movie went on to be a huge success and is considered a classic. It is one of the strongest debuts for an actress and a huge vehicle for a newcomer. She earned a Filmfare nomination as Best Actress. In addition to winning the Filmfare Best Female Playback Award for the song “Dil Ke Armaan,” she also earned two Filmfare nominations: one for the song “Pyar Bhi Hai Jawan” and the other for the song “Dil Ki Yeh Arzo”.

Salma soon purchased Reena Roy’s apartment in Bandra, while Reena packed bags to move to London with her new husband cricketer Mohsin Khan. However, Salma wasn’t interested in movies much, she soon was introduced to Mehmood Sipra, a New York City business man, who made Salma drop all her movie assignments and produced movies for her, beginning with Begum Sahiba and Bebasi. Sipra’s divorce came through while his love affair with Salma began to fade. Both movies were shelved and Salma was left without a husband or career.

Thankfully, her photos were constantly in magazines even though she hadn’t had a release since Nikaah and refused most offers made to her. Finally, after her break with Mehmood Sipra, she signed Babbar Subhash’s Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki with Mithun Chakraborty and Smita Patil. The movie was publicised with huge pictures of Salma, which in turn upset and overshadowed Mithun. This movie became Salma’s second release and another hit. She earned a Filmfare nomination for the song “Jhoom Jhoom Baba.” Salma went to Pakistan to visit her now married sister Sabina, living in Karachi and while visiting relatives in Lahore, she was offered Pakistani movies. She debuted in Hum aur Tum with Javed Sheikh. They both fell in love and Javed divorced his wife of 15 years and tied the knot with Salma. They were in such a rush for marriage that Salma Agha didn’t even dub for the Hum aur Tum. The bad dubbing job and the horrible story line killed the movie. Though the curiosity of seeing Salma and her box office power made the movie a hit in Pakistan.

Salma worked on many other movies in Pakistan, none with major recognition other than a movie that later got adopted into a Hindi version Pati, Patni aur Tawaif. Salma played the same character she had, in the Pakistani version and was once again teamed with Mithun. While shooting in Mumbai she also did Oonche Log with Rajesh Khanna and Salma . All of these movies flopped massively at the box office.

She recently went on tour promoting her album Husn.

Personal life

She was married at 16 years of age to a prominent Pakistani settled in London. A divorce soon followed.

After that Salma was married to actor Javed Sheikh. Soon Salma was going through another divorce. She carried on with a few more Pakistani movies then settled with the squash coach Rehmat Khan. She now shuttles between Islamabad and London with Khan and puts out an album of ghazals every few years.

Aamir Saleem

History

Aamir Saleem started singing when he was in school and he bought his first guittar after working in a hotel as a receptionist in summer holidays. He formed his first music band with the name “Image”,his best friend naveed mugees was on guittar and alim arshid was on keyboard .After that he moved to Karachi in 1987. He used to sing with different bands to make money and record his first solo album that took three years to complete.

His first solo album, “Musafir” was a hit in 1991 among all age groups. His song “Woh Taron Bhari” was hit and his album sold well. It was released by Shalimar recording Company but unfortunately Aamir Saleem could not get financial benefits from his best selling album.

Albums

• Musafir – 1991
• Ajnabi – 1993
• Humsafar – 1995
• Mohabbat – 1997
• Khwaab – 2001
• Dil Da Quater – 2006

Ustad Khyal Muhammad

Career

Khyal Mohammad belongs to the Afridi tribe of Pushtuns. He was born in Peshawar in 1946 to a musical family. His brother Saif Ul-Maluk was a popular singer in the 1960s, who often performed on Radio Peshawar. Saif introduced him to the radio station, where he first performed in 1958 at age of thirteen. However, for the next ten years he mainly restricted himself to playing instruments such as the tabla and harmonium. In the late 1960s he began singing and recording ghazals, traditional Pashto poems, a daring gamble since the music scene at that time was dominated by folk music. His unique style soon became popular in Peshawar and the NWFP.

After establishing his name on the local radio, in 1973-74 Khyal Mohammad appeared in his first movie, Dara-i-Khyber, one of the first “Pollywood” pashto movies. This gave his career a kick-start, and since then he has appeared in many other movies. As his popularity continued to grow, he has often toured in Afghanistan, Europe, the UAR and the USA.Over the years he has recorded a huge volume of music, and has also appeared as a playback singer in many movies, winning many awards. He has been called the Elvis Presley of pashto music.

Musical style

Khyal Muhammad renders ghazal songs in a traditional manner, choosing pieces that combine mysticism, romance and philosophy, usually with an undertone of melancholy. His voice has impressive range, but is always fully under control. Radio, television and movie producers have paid tribute to his professionalism and ability to produce flawless performances with minimal rehearsal.Zahoor Khan Zaiby, a Pakhtoon composer of Balochi and Sindhi tunes, says “Lala is an expert at harnessing the mood of the moment and the poetry through his voice. The songs from his films are considered Pashto anthems.”

Awards

In 1991, Khyal was given the National Film Award for playback singer. Khyal Muhammad has received a Pride of Performance presidential award, two National Awards and a gold medal from Pakistan Television Corporation presented by the late Madame Noor Jehan. In April 2009, Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti presented a cheque for Rs one million to Khyal Muhammad on behalf of the provincial government for his services to Pushto music and ghazals