Arif Hayat, the singing painter, releases new song

Painter gained popularity after his video went viral last year


ADNAN LODHI July 01, 2019
PHOTO: FILE

LAHORE: Last year, a video of a painter singing went viral on social media.  Artist Muhammad Arif Hayat's voice impressed millions of Pakistanis within 11 minutes of the clip being released.



Ace Indian playback singer, Sonu Nigam took to Facebook back then and lauded Arif’s singing capabilities. He wrote, "Arif has already become extremely famous in India, too. Little taleem (music education) and he will become someone whom people will vouch for. God bless him. God willing he will be getting his due musically henceforth. Hope you are good. Lots of love and prayers.”

https://www.facebook.com/sonuniigaam/videos/10155423696031126/

After the video made headlines, Arif, a resident of Mirpur Khas was immediately given the chance to open a live show for singer Aima Baig on August 14, 2018.

PHOTO: FACEBOOK PHOTO: FACEBOOK

Arif’s debut video track, Thoko Taali was a tribute to Indian Culture Minister, Navjot Singh Sidhu. People found his choice of lyrics humorous and the video garnered over 22,000 views in one day.

Here is the music video of the song Thoko Taali:



Arif has now returned with another single, Ho Kar Khuda, being launched under the UK based music company BIZZ Music which released his debut song. The music video features him in a transformed avatar, showing to the world that he has got what it takes to become a singing sensation.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Arif expressed his disregard for the local music industry. "I am delighted to be doing another song with a foreign music banner. No one from the local music industry was signing me for work."

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The painter-turned-singer added, "My financial situation got worse as I left painting and was looking to build my musical career."

Asif also revealed that he got an opportunity to work with musicians across the border after his video went viral. However, he turned it down because working in his home country is his first priority.

PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: FILE

The new song is composed by Tahir Abas and Asif Samrat while Sofiya Nasir is the producer of the video.

Edited by Haddiqua Siddiqui

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