Love for music runs in Amanat Ali’s blood. The singer who comes from a musician family has captivated the hearts of audiences globally with his soulful voice. Classically trained singer made his debut in 2007 in India by contesting at the platform Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge and ended up as the third runner up on the show.
Amanat proved his mettle with the famous songs like Kohraam, Thumri, Paheli and Aisha of Coke Studio. With several hits and high profile shows to his credit, he is regarded as one of the talented singers of Pakistani music industry. His charismatic personality and effortless style make him a youth icon.
In an interview with Sunday Plus Amanat Ali gives peep into his musical career, experiences and future ventures.
Talking about his arrival in industry, the young singer told, “I have been in showbiz since I was three. I used to travel with him and attended his shows but professionally I started my career in 2006. I worked as a lead singer with Mikaal Hassan band. I always wanted to achieve something. I had some goals in my life. My family is based in Faisalabad and I had to come to Lahore with the band. My parents wanted me to concentrate on my studies. They assured me that when the time would be right they will financially support me to make my debut in the industry. I refused that offer as I wanted to achieve something on my own self.”
Sa Re Ga Ma Pa had been a wonderful journey for Amanat. “It changed my life completely. I was student when I went to India. It was my struggling time. My dreams were high. I feel blessed that in a very young age I have worked with legendry artistes. We all contestants were good friends. It was a great learning time period for me,” Amanat said.
Amanat ali was trained by his uncle Noha Hassan Sadiq and his father….. . Being inspired by Sonu nigam, Lata Mangeshkar, Madam Noor Jahan, Mehdi Hassan and Ustad Salamat Ali Khan, he has talent to play more than ten musical instruments.
He is versatile singer who does not believe to stick to one genre of music. “I don’t have one style of singing. I always wanted to be a versatile singer and so I am. I don’t think a singer should restrict himself to one genre only. When I was performing in Sa Re Ga Me Pa show, a compliment was given to me that I was the most versatile singer on the show. I listens all singers of all genres. It helps me a lot in learning,” the singer told.
We grabbed the opportunity to ask the question which puzzled many i.e. why Pakistani singers prefer Indian to start their career, the musician told, “There are less explorers in Pakistan. India has big musical industry and resources to promote a singer.” He further added, “The reason behind the decline of our music industry is that we don’t have proper musical channels and platform from where a singer can be noticed. Our musical channels have been shut down. Consequently our public is more influenced by Indian music. Social media is only the source for promoting Pakistani music. My song Nina Lagay’s video was not on air on TV channels. However it created much hype on social media and my co-singer Maria Meer became popular over night.”
Amanat’s collaboration with Maria Meer got much attention on media. The young girl came from a poor family and despite her melodious voice was turned down by Pakistan Idol platform. Amanat was switching through channels when he saw Maria being rejected by Pakistan Idol. He decided to give young girl a chance by collaborating with her. “She is very very talented and all she needed was a proper platform. You can’t hide or stop the talent. The judges were humiliating her by telling that her voice was very childish. I think the judges were wrong. Now you can judge for yourself by listening to our song.”
The talent singer and his management team supported and helped Maria Meer unconditionally. “I have given her management team who is managing her and supporting her but on the backhand I am there. Now I have planned a solo song for her and I know she will do it very well and soon you will listen it,” said Amanat.
There are rumors that Amanat Ali collaborated with Meer out of vengeance. The judges had insulted his brother Aoun Ali on Pakistan Idol platform. The singer told that he was angry at judges’ behavior however; he helped Maria because she was talented and deserved recognition. “My brother was invited to participate in Pakistan Idol. However when he was giving the audition, the judges stopped him and started degrading him. My pictures were displayed in the background and judges were mocking my brother. I really felt bad and was very angry on this. If I had to take revenge from them then I would be promoting my brother first. ” He further said, “Singers, actors and host, these people are inspiration for young generation and people follow them so they should take care while doing these types of things.”
In recent times, Pakistani singers come into lime light by singing about socio political problems. Amanat does not endorse this pop approach. In this regard he said, “I don’t think I would ever do this. People who want to do something or they want some type of support to start their career they find ways by such thing. Thank god I have already so much work. My career is going good and I am happy with it.”
Amanat has also been the part of coke studio. He enjoyed working with Rohail Hayyat appreciated his efforts for coke studio and his music sense. Amanat also shared his critical view about next coke studio season.
“We all artistes felt bad that Rohail left this platform. The hype which he gave to coke studio, no one can do that. I think after him, season seven should not be given to one band or one particular producer. Each episode should be given to different producers. We have many good producers. In this way we will be able to give chance to different people and we could have some diversity in music. ”
Soon we will be seeing this aspiring soloist as a judge in a musical show ‘Voice of Pakistan’. The contestants have seen selected through the audition and soon this show will be on air of TV channels. “Me, Rahat Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Sajjad Ali are the judges of this show. We have taken audition from all over the Pakistan and selected 300 contestants from our country. This show is the part of Sindh festival. I would like to mention here that I have selected the contestants on the merit. Luckily there was no burden on me while selecting any person. I am very impressed and on the other hand shocked that we have so much talent. It’s a very surprising thing that why Pakistan Idol could not find this talent.”
We asked about the secret behind Amanat’s success. He mentioned, “The person behind my success is my mother and her prayers.”
Every person has some hidden talent. Amanat has also one hidden talent which he shared.” I am a great composer. My dad was a great composer. So I am. One song which Sajjad Ali sang ‘Teri Yaad Satandi’ that was my dad composition,” said the singer.
Besides singing, he is also interested in acting. He did two serials ‘Ishq samandar and Hum Parindey’. “After singing, acting is my passion. I am not too much in this filed because it’s a very time consuming job.” Amanat said.
Amanat is keen to do something for his country and in this regard he is focusing on a project which he shared with us. He states that he is setting up a musical academy for coming generation. “Soon I will be opening a musical academy which will be on my name. In that school we will have music studio, production house and music school. My dad, me and my team will teach and promote them. We will train the student. We will sponsor them. After every two months I will give a new singer to my country. We are working on this project right now.”
Amanat doesn’t want to leave showbiz industry. In coming years we will see him as a good actor too.
Coming up to his future ventures, Amanat tells he will soon be realizing his next album “I am working on my second album. I had planned to launch it on new years but it could not happen just because of hectic schedules. I am almost done with all the work. It has all kind of music. It has pop, rock, sufi Punjabi songs, one ghazal, different tributes which I have given to Madam Noor Jahan and Ustad Abduallah khan and Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali khan. From June onwards my international tours will be started.”
