Pakistan is the home to some of the greatest musicians of all times. Such is the talent and voice of these singers that Bollywood, today, is filled with such great talents as Atif Aslam, Adnan Sami and Ali Zafar, to name just a few. There are also some excellent bands like Strings, Fuzön and Jal, which are doing excellently well in India, and have fans from both sides of the border. While these contemporary artistes have been able to unite the countries with modern popular music, there are some traditional Pakistani singers who have held on to the essence true to the music and culture of the two countries. Let’s remember some of the legendary Pakistani singers (male) famous in India for holding onto or reviving the originality of the two brother-countries.
1. Bade Ghulam Ali Khan (2 April, 1902 – 25 April, 1928)
Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali is probably the most prominent of classical singers. Born in the then Punjab province of British India named Kasur that became a part of Pakistan after Partition, he was well-versed in Sarangi, and received vocal training from a very early age, which eventually led him to become one of the most accomplished artistes in the Pakistan and India. He was the true representative of the commonness between Pakistan and India: he did not believe in the Partition, and thought that if one child trained in Hindustani classical music in each household could prevent the Partition. He lived and performed in Lahore, Bombay, Calcutta and Hyderabad. Yaad Piya Ki Aaye, Ka Karu Sajni, etc. are songs sung innumerable time and turned into different renditions in India. It is not right to give him a nationality because his home was the world of music.
2. Amanat Ali Khan (1922 – 1974)
Ustad Amanat Ali Khan was a Pakistani classical singer born to a musical family in Hoshiarpur of Punjab. He was the grandson of Ali Baksh Jarnail, the founder of the Patiala Gharana. His strength in Hindustani classical music was, naturally, unparalleled, and he became famous at an early age with his Mehfil performances. After the Partition, he continued his singing career in Pakistan and became famous throughout South Asia as a representative of the Patiala Gharana. He has gifted the world with songs like Yeh Na Thi Hamari Qismat, Yaar Ko Maine and many more, written by the best poets of the time, such as Mirza Ghalib and the like.
3. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (13 October, 1948 – 16 August, 1997)
Shahenshah-e-Qawwali, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, was known for his eminence in the Sufi genre of music, as well as Qawwali. He also won hearts with his renditions of traditional folk music. Born in Faisalabad, his father wanted him to become a doctor, since he was of the idea that Qawwali singers had a low social status, But, Khan’s talent completed his father to relent, finally. He has left behind a plethora of the masterpieces in Urdu, Punjabi, Persian, Braj Bhasha and Hindi. Kinna Sohna, Kacche Dhaage, Piya Re, Dulhe Ka Sehra, and many more of his songs have been used in Bollywood films, the western fusions of the traditional songs have also won over hearts.
4. Mehdi Hassan Khan (18 July, 1927 – 13 June, 2012)
Born in Rajasthan to a family with a long tradition of music, Khan Saab received his training from his father and his uncle. As he grew up, he had to face financial hardships that led him to become a mechanic. But, his love for music never died, and he kept practising with diligence. As luck would have it, he eventually became a noted playback singer. His calibre as a singer of Thumri, Dhrupad, Kheyal, etc. have been proven. But, he is most renowned as King of Ghazals. Even Lata Mangeshkar, with whom he had the duet, Tera Milna, was full of praise for him. Perhaps, the most soulful song which he is associated with is Ranjish Hi Sahi. His husky voice reverberates in the mind of every Ghazal patron.
5. Salamat Ali Khan (1934 – 11 July, 2001)
Ustad Salamat Ali Khan is a member of a musical dynasty of Pakistan. He has a glorious career with his brother, Nazakat Ali, as they together gave some of the most stirring performances in Indian music. He was an exponent of the Chamchaurasi Gharana that specialized in Jugalbandis in Dhrupad style. After the death of Nazakat Ali, Salamat Ali Saab continued to record solo as he believed that as a part of such a musical family as his, it is his responsibility to sin, irrespective of professionalism or emotions. He is considered one of the greatest vocalists of the 20th century, for his Khayal singing.
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