From the Pakistani land of Sufi singers, we have yet another talented singer knocking at the doors of Indian film industry. With his album Laut Aao, Ahmed Jehanzeb is making his entry into the Indian music world. Dreaming of creating better music, this young singer is all set to kiss success through his seer hard work and dedication. Sabir Rahman has shared some melodious moment with this talented singer and composer.

Q. What is special about your new album Laut Aao?
A. You will get the different shades of vocals, music and everything according to the taste of today’s trend. Many singers in Bollywood bear the influence of the legends in their voice. But I have a different tonal quality and it does not match with anyone. The album is also blessed with powerful lyrics. It is melodious and soothing to the ears.

Q. Is it a romantic album?
A. Yes, I would call it a romantic album.

Q. While working on the album, which audience did you have in your mind, Indian or Pakistani?
A. I only had Indian audience in my mind because Pakistani audience have not reached that state now and have gone towards more serious kind of things. The style of music across the border is very different from that of Bollywood.

Q. How did music happen to you?
A. During my time music was not given so much encouragement but my father was always fond of music. Ever since I was born I had all the music instruments in front of me. I was always attracted towards music and wanted to learn and play all the instruments. I loved the harmonium and one day my Abba asked me if I liked harmonium or not and when I said yes, he gifted me a keyboard on my fourth birthday. He made me rehearse with him and he never forced me to learn music. I started my journey at the age of four and at nine I released my first album named Ahmed Jehanzeb – The Wonder Boy.

Q. What kind of songs did the album have?
A. It contained national based songs (Kaumi songs). These kinds of songs were more in trend; individual singing was not in trend at that time. My Abba made me familiar with the stage from the very tender age of mine, so that I don’t get nervous or hesitate in facing audience while performing.

 Q. At what age did you start your journey of stage shows?
A. I started my journey at the age of eleven or twelve. I used to experiment singing different kinds of songs then.

Q. What kind of songs did you sing?
A. I used to sing ghazals as well as the hit songs of that time like "Papa Kehte Hai…" and all other Bollywood hit numbers. 

Q. When did you release your second album?
A. My second album got released in 2001 with the name Parastish, which came after a gap of 15 years from my first album. In the meantime I was doing stage shows all over the world.

Q. What kind of songs did it contain?
A. It had compilation of solid classical numbers. It was a big hit and gave me a lot of fame.

Q. How did coming to India happen?
A. There was a song of mine in my second album Parastish which became famous through internet. Then one day Sanjay Dutt called me when he had organized a Tsunami relief fund show and he wanted me to participate there. Two singers came at that time from Pakistan, one was Strings and the other was me and the other celebs for the show were film stars from Pakistan like Meera, Md. Rana and all. During this time I met Rajiv Sivani who was vice president of Tips.

Q. Do you feel that you are lucky?
A. I feel that I am lucky because Khuda gave me opportunities and I met right people at the right time. It is my good luck that I met someone like Rajiv who gave me a chance. I got all the facilities from the company while recording with them. They provide me very good directors, lyrics, crew members etc.

Q. You have given music in Khuda Ke Liye, any other films after that?
A. I had composed five songs for Khuda Ke Liye and I have sung those songs, too. This film changed the whole scenario of Pakistani film and no other film is being made yet to match that one. And if we talk about music it has to be something which will be cherished and enjoyed by all for a long time.

Q. Any film offers in India?
A. Who would not like to work in Bollywood movies but as of now I want to concentrate in composing good music only. 

Sabir Rahman (SAMPURN)

Singer-composer-actor Himesh Reshammiya is all set to replay the role of a judge in Zee’s singing based reality show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. The singer turned actor shares his views on the unreal drama happening in reality shows and many more.

Q. What do you have to say about the new season of Zee’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa?
A. This is a great show and has produced quality singers with times. I wish that this time it will give the industry even 10 times better singers than before. I wish that Indian singers should occupy places in the chart of top singers of the world.
 
Q. Are you happy with the progress of the show?
A. Yes, of course I am happy because many singers have got a better platform with this show and are doing good work now all over. Earlier there were few singers who made a name in this industry with their brilliant works. And as people used to say that new talents should also get chance to show their talents, so I think this platform is a good platform for all and is fulfilling everyone’s desire to make it big in this industry.
 
Q. Where do all the singers go after the show ends? Do they get work?
A. Today more than 50 to 60 singers are doing very good job and are singing in almost all good projects. Near about 100 to 150 singers are doing good work and are also moving in their own cars and are well established in their lives. I think India is progressing. We through this show will try to give a good voice to the nation which will make all of us proud to be Indians.
 
Q. Like in the previous season the winner was from your gharana, so can we expect the same from you this year also?
A. First of all I would like to say that all the mentor’s want that their students to win the competition. I would like to say that I, too, wish that my baccha wins this time also.
 
Q. Do you think that all the dramas shown in the show are meant for raising the TRP?
A. If the concept of the show is to raise the TRP of the show then I don’t think it will harm anyone because indirectly it is adding advantage to the candidates also. It will have to be made entertaining because as the saying goes jungle mein morr nacha kisne dekha hai! So for that cause and for making it entertaining along with reality facts, if the mentors are fighting for their own students then I don’t think there is any harm to it. There is nothing like opposition or enmity kind of things between us. 
 
Q. Why a singing competition like this has been named as vishwa yudh or maha yudh not as competition?
A. I think that this question should be put to the channel why they have made the concept in such a way. We have only accepted to work in it because we have liked the concept of the show.
 
Q. How much of the reality and drama will be there in this show?
A. Look, these types of things you are talking about are the pioneers of the show. The concept of the show was not mended for creating any kind of drama or any such thing. All mentors fight for the students of their own gharana and that is not a drama. Indirectly whatever happens there in the show happens within the limit of the concept of the show and not beyond that.

Q. How have you prepared yourself for the finale?
A. There is no preparation as such. I only wish that the show does well even more than before so that the whole world watches it and the contestants become superstars. We need your blessings and support and I promise you that like before this time also quality singers will be produced through this show.

-Sabbir Rehman (SAMPURN)

Zubeen Garg, the voice that touches every heart of Indian music lovers. Zubeen Garg, the man who dreams a lot, conceptualise more and concretize the most. Always keeping himself busy with various activities, it’s the same Zubeen who takes out his time to squiggle his struggling past, comfortable present and dreamy future…

Old school and college days of an unknown singer Zubeen…
I used to roam with my father as he was a magistrate. So I had my schooling in three languages, English, Bengali and Assamese. But at the end of the day it was fun. It basically made me the bohemian and restless Zubeen that you see me today.
            
Who was your guru at that time?
My first guru was my mother and then Pandit Robin Benerjee taught me tabla for many years. From Guru Ramani Rai I learnt about Assamese folk music also.

How were you inspired to leave Assam? Was s/he the same person who inspired you to sing?
Leaving Assam was just like a quick decision. I came to Mumbai to mix my album in 1995-96 and I stayed for few months. Afterwards, I tried to stay here as long as possible. But I was always feeling for Assam. I still try to be in Assam for at least one week every month. I never liked the filmy life in Mumbai. I always feel about the expectations of my North East people. I’m here to represent them and their culture i.e. our culture. So, I have miles to go to make them even prouder.

Your journey from Assam to Mumbai…
That was a different kind of journey. When I came to Mumbai, I was fully established as a singer and music director in Assam. So I had a solid platform to back me. Basically, I never struggled in Mumbai. Whatever struggle I did, I did it in Assam. I started playing keyboards for 50 bucks in my college days. After that I played with most of the singers there. Slowly I started composing and singing. Then I did my first album Anamika in 1993. It was a super hit. After that I started running restlessly.

How did you start your struggle? Please tell us about your struggling days. Including your meetings with producers or other media persons…
As I came to Mumbai, after getting established in Assam as a singer and composer, I did not have to struggle as such. I was already a well established star in Assam with all my Assamese songs which gave me a big support.

With whom did you use to share your sad or happy moments at that time?
Mostly with my close friends. That time was very crucial.

How did you plan your struggle?
I never plan anything. I work with my natural creative instinct.

Experience of your first recording day.
That was in Guwahati. It was wonderful and full of fun. I recorded 8 songs in the span of 3 hours.

How was your first taste of success?
Success has no taste. It can be felt. I felt it from my very first day in music because I am born musician which itself I received as legacy from my family.

Please say something about your first album Anamika that gave you a solid base to your career.
I was composing songs from my school days. Anamika was a compilation of my best compositions. I took a loan of 40 thousand for it. It was risky because I was only 20 at that time, but I was confident because I knew I had a different style in my songs. That’s why people loved it.

You sang few Hindi songs before ‘Ya Ali’. How did that happen?
I sang one great number in Fiza for Ranjit Barot. He was like a mentor to me at that time. He helped me a lot like a big brother. Also Anand Raaj Anand and Annu Malik knew my talent and offered me some wonderful works. I will never forget them.

‘Zubeen the musical sensation’, how does Zubeen personally react to that?
I like to be sensational always. But I regard myself as a simple musician who is always hungry for creation.

What kind of music do you prefer?
I prefer world music, folk music.

Are you comfortable in singing or composing?
I am comfortable with both singing and composing. Singing is in my blood. Composing is my extension.

What is the future of Zubeen the singer and Zubeen the human being?
It’s critical because I am extending myself in too many things, like filmmaking, social service, wildlife projects and some other business. So let’s see. But for me dreams are unlimited because I am an eternal dreamer.

-Sabir Rahman (SAMPURN)

One of the VIVA girl’s Anushka Manchanda has come a long way in this industry. After the group spilt because of differences, Anushka got to work as VJ for Channel [V] for a short time. She has also been in the modelling world.

In a tete- e- tete this vivacious singer cum VJ cum model talks to us about her stint on television and big screen. Alongside she speaks about the music liked by the junta in our country.

What are you doing these days?
I have been working very hard for the past 6 months but since 10-15 days I got free from all my commitments from work, so enjoying and relaxing at home. I have completed my recordings for the films and now desperately want to put on some weight.

I had been travelling for some shows abroad and was also having food outside but still I lost weight.
 
You have sung in movies Pyaar Impossible and Kambakkht Ishq?
I was with Salim Suleman for the background music but it came to my surprise when that thing became the part of the main section in the film. It was my great pleasure to work with them. I also recorded a song with Pritam ‘Lak Lak…’ for KI, it was great fun and his music is also fabulous.

Talking about your television stint, the buzz is that you have won the second season of Khatro Ke Khiladi?
I can’t speak about that but all I would say is that the finale of the show is yet to be shot. I wish and hope this buzz becomes true and I win the show.

You have been much into music. How did singing happen to you then?
I never use to sing so much and my interest was always in instrumental music. I know to play piano and guitar. About singing it just happened. Basically I did not want to study on the day of the audition so went ahead and tried my luck there. Fortunately I was selected and then after it was never looking back.

This was the time I realise that I want to sing and over the last couple of years I have started listening to Bollywood music. This has helped me a lot to understand the world of music and singing.

Which kind of music has maximum reach in India?
I feel Bollywood music has the maximum reach in our country. There are various kinds of platforms like radio, internet beside cinema and television which gives us so much of variety of music.

Do you think that the music director are getting their face in this country? Who is your favourite from Hindi Film Industry?
They create a wonderful music and they should be given respect. Today there are much known music directors who are well recognised by the audience because of their appearance on screen which is necessary.

My favourites are Vishal-Shekhar, Shanker, Eshaan and Loy to name few. It’s cool to listen to their music as they have not lost the richness in the melody. I am also working in a project where Big B will be singing. There are various things to do in this genre.

Are there any plans to come up with your own album?
I write my own music but there are no plans to cut my own album at this point of time. Today in the market the pop music doesn’t sell. I had formed a group and we were working towards the album but I stopped everything in the middle as this is not the right time.

For now I am looking forward for my 15 songs to release from the movies like Pyaar Impossible, Luck, Kambakkht Ishq and few other flicks.
 
Rachana Trivedi / Sampurn Media