The 61-year-old singer, famous for his renditions Acha Sila Diya and Bedardi Se Pyar
New Delhi:
Renowned Pakistani singerAttaullah Khan Esakhelvi, who enjoys an immense fan followingin India, will perform for the first time in the country nextmonth.
The 61-year-old singer, famous for his renditions AchaSila Diya and Bedardi Se Pyar, will perform at a series ofconcerts in various cities including Delhi, Mumbai andHyderabad between October 12 to November 15.
Despite his popularity here, it will be Mr Khan's first everconcert in India.
"I always wanted to perform in India but never got thechance. I know that I have a decent fan following across theborder. It is very unfortunate that I could never performin India until now," the singer told PTI from Lahore.
Mr Khan feels that musical and cultural exchange is a mustbetween India and Pakistan and he has no apprehensions abouthis proposed visit.
"Many Indian artistes are coming to Pakistan now and ourartistes are going to India. This cross border musicalexchange is a must to normalise things," said the singer, whoused to sing Mohammad Rafi and Mukesh's songs in his schooldays.
Mr Khan has recorded more than 4,000 songs in sevenlanguages. By 2006, he had released 403 music albums.During his much-awaited India visit he wishes to meetmelody queen Lata Mangeshkar.
"I am a huge fan of her. I want to meet her when Iperform in Mumbai. I will seek her blessings," he said.
There were rumours in India that he has been jailed formurdering his beloved. A film called Bewafa Sanam was alsomade and marketed saying that it is the real life story ofAttaullah Khan.
"This is completely false. I have heard that they didthis for the success of some movie. My fans were hurt and soam I," said the artist who has been honoured with the Pride ofPerformance Award by the Pakistan government.
Currently working on folk and Sufi fusion, Mr Khan isworried about the standard of Shayari and lyrics these days.
"Shayari in Rafi and Mukesh saab's era was different.Songs were meaningful and melodious. Nowadays the life of asong is maximum six months. No one remembers any song for longas they lack soul. But I am hopeful that the trend will changesomeday," said Khan.
He does not endorse the idea of musical reality shows tofind talent nor does he want to be a part of it.
"I have noticed that reality show winners do not get workin the long run. The name and fame is temporary plus they tendto lose concentration. I will not judge any reality show sinceI consider myself a learner," he said.
Since some political parties are against Pakistaniartistes and cricketers coming to India, organisers of Mr Khan'sshows do have some apprehensions but they are hopeful that theconcerts will be successful due to Mr Khan's popularity here.
"There are some apprehensions due to the threats fromsome political parties but we are conveying the message ofbrotherhood through these shows. Artistes are not bound by anyborder. We wanted to invite him in 2008 but it was postponedbecause of the Mumbai terror attack," said Manmeet Singh, CEOof artistebooking.com, who is organising Mr Khan's shows.
The 61-year-old singer, famous for his renditions AchaSila Diya and Bedardi Se Pyar, will perform at a series ofconcerts in various cities including Delhi, Mumbai andHyderabad between October 12 to November 15.
Despite his popularity here, it will be Mr Khan's first everconcert in India.
"I always wanted to perform in India but never got thechance. I know that I have a decent fan following across theborder. It is very unfortunate that I could never performin India until now," the singer told PTI from Lahore.
Mr Khan feels that musical and cultural exchange is a mustbetween India and Pakistan and he has no apprehensions abouthis proposed visit.
"Many Indian artistes are coming to Pakistan now and ourartistes are going to India. This cross border musicalexchange is a must to normalise things," said the singer, whoused to sing Mohammad Rafi and Mukesh's songs in his schooldays.
Mr Khan has recorded more than 4,000 songs in sevenlanguages. By 2006, he had released 403 music albums.During his much-awaited India visit he wishes to meetmelody queen Lata Mangeshkar.
"I am a huge fan of her. I want to meet her when Iperform in Mumbai. I will seek her blessings," he said.
There were rumours in India that he has been jailed formurdering his beloved. A film called Bewafa Sanam was alsomade and marketed saying that it is the real life story ofAttaullah Khan.
"This is completely false. I have heard that they didthis for the success of some movie. My fans were hurt and soam I," said the artist who has been honoured with the Pride ofPerformance Award by the Pakistan government.
Currently working on folk and Sufi fusion, Mr Khan isworried about the standard of Shayari and lyrics these days.
"Shayari in Rafi and Mukesh saab's era was different.Songs were meaningful and melodious. Nowadays the life of asong is maximum six months. No one remembers any song for longas they lack soul. But I am hopeful that the trend will changesomeday," said Khan.
He does not endorse the idea of musical reality shows tofind talent nor does he want to be a part of it.
"I have noticed that reality show winners do not get workin the long run. The name and fame is temporary plus they tendto lose concentration. I will not judge any reality show sinceI consider myself a learner," he said.
Since some political parties are against Pakistaniartistes and cricketers coming to India, organisers of Mr Khan'sshows do have some apprehensions but they are hopeful that theconcerts will be successful due to Mr Khan's popularity here.
"There are some apprehensions due to the threats fromsome political parties but we are conveying the message ofbrotherhood through these shows. Artistes are not bound by anyborder. We wanted to invite him in 2008 but it was postponedbecause of the Mumbai terror attack," said Manmeet Singh, CEOof artistebooking.com, who is organising Mr Khan's shows.
