4 mainstream musicians who ventured into Naat, Hamd recitals

Shortly after exiting the world of music, Junaid Jamshed, released the naat titled, Muhammad Ka Roza. Following its release the naat received tremendous airplay on radio and television during the holy month of Ramazan. While the popularity of the naat propelled Jamshed to fame as a nasheed reciter, he was not the only mainstream Pakistani musician to foray into these recitals. Here is a list of four other artists who have tried their hand at religious hymns in their singing careers.



Najam Sheraz

The former Karavan singer recorded the hamd, Na Tera Khuda Koi Aur Hai. Sheraz later went on to  record another naat, Maula Tu Rab Rehman Hai. Unlike his contemporaries who had left the world of music to professionally recite nasheeds, Sheraz continued to release mainstream music on the side. His single Menu Tere Naal was also included on the Emraan Hashmi-starrer, Murder, whereas he also released numerous patriotic songs, such as Hamari Pehchaan and a 10-year anniversary version of In Say Nain, featuring a host of Pakistani musicians.





Fariha Pervez

While the Coke Studio singer is fondly remembered for her single Bo Kata, Fariha Pervez also recorded a naat titled, Nabi De Daar. The naat is dedicated to Pervez’s grandmother as suggested by the title card at the start of the video, ‘A Tribute to my Grandmother’. Following the release of the naat, the singer went on to enjoy an illustrious music career, later even going on to featuring in the sixth and seventh season of Coke Studio where she featured alongside living legends Alamgir and Sajjad Ali.



Ali Haider

Six years ago, Ali Haider stepped away from the spotlight — a decision which many people thought had sealed the career of Pakistan’s pop music poster boy. But, audiences were taken aback once the singer resurfaced in a more traditional avatar, reciting sufi kalams, naats and hamds including Maula Dil Badal De. His time away from music was short lived as he soon went onto release several new songs and appeared on the eighth season of Coke Studio.



Ali Hamza

In between the second and third album, Noori band member Ali Hamza decided to pursue some of his own passion projects. After proving his mettle as a vocalist with Coke Studio Season 2’s runaway hit, Aik Alif, Hamza released the naat, Madinay Main. Like their previous releases the naat proved to be popular among Noori fans. The video for Madinay Main was directed by frequent collaborator Mandana Zaidi.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 29^th, 2016.

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