Amanat Ali- Don’t run after the world

1. How old were you when you started getting involved in music and how did you figure out you can sing?

I have a musical family background so it was a responsibility for me to continue music and in my family they start teaching you music at a very young age. I think when I had my first music class I was only three years old and my dad made me do my first alaap. My grandfather was a singer, they were two brothers who were both into music and they sang a lot of songs for Pakistani movies. There was a movie called “Bow ji”, they sang a song for it which was a hit.

2. Who are your inspirations?

I have always been inspired by people like Noor Jehan jee, Mehdi Hassan sahab, Muhammad Rafi sahab, Lata jee, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan sahab. My dad Nazakat Ali who is my music guru as well, my taya ji Hassan Sadiq sahab who is my music teacher as well so all these have always been a great inspiration for me.

3. What is your favorite song to sing live?

I think this is the only question that a singer should not be asked because there is always a long list of songs or at least I have one so I think I won’t be able to choose one. But one song that totally changed my life was “Tujhse naraz nahin zindagi” which I sang in Sa Re Ga Ma Pa in 2007. Whatever I am today is because of that song.

4. What are some of the problems you have faced working in this industry and who do you owe your success to?

I don’t think I have faced any kind of problems. Maybe when I started my career and that too because I was probably the youngest artist out there. For the record, I was only 18 when I started it. I have always received a lot of love and appreciation from my elders so I guess I have been always lucky in this case.

5. What is one thing you cannot live without?

It’s my mom. She is everything to me. And music of course. And my specs.

6. You have made your mark in the music industry but you always have been very humble when it comes to your fashion statement either on stage or everywhere else, why is that so? What is your own fashion statement?

I believe in very decent fashion and I design my clothes myself. I am not at all materialistic/brand conscious when it comes to fashion. I believe one should know how to carry their stuff though.

7. Does your fashion sense define your music as well?

No I don’t think so. Music is a different world I don’t think it is related to fashion at all. Yeah if you were to talk about hip hop and all then yes! You need to dress up in a specific way. But in today’s world I think it’s a must to be all glammed up while singing because the people notice how you look and what you wear.

8. Do you have a favorite quote or a saying which is always on your mind?

“Don’t run after the world; let the world run after you.”

9. How do feel about all the awards that you have achieved so far?

The first award that I won was in 2007 in Dubai for “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa”. It was a music contest. That was my first trophy which was a victory for me. And after that I won world cup of singers and the third award that I got was for the song “thumri” from my debut album. It was a semi-classical track. And I got the “best song of the year” award for that in India.

10. Do you have any events coming up or recordings going on right now?

Yeah there is a lot stuff coming up. I’ll soon be leaving for my concerts and then I’ll be working on my second music album which is releasing soon InshaAllah. It’s called “Aas”.

11. Which Genre of music is your personal favorite?

I think a singer should be versatile. My base of music is classical. Classical ghazal is what I have learnt. I think classical is the genre after which you can get into any genre that you like. One’s base should be strong.

12. Do you spend time on getting dressed up?

I am very lazy. I do give time to think how I look and that is what my manager always complains about because as a result of that, I am never on time.

13. Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to sing as a career or just advice about careers in general?

To all the young generation across the globe who want to get into music I think they should learn music because it’s very common these days that singers come up without the proper knowledge of music. If you are trained, you’ll be able to produce good music and that will get you more respect and honor.

Contributed by: Team Kluchit.