The 21-year-old musical genius Usman Riaz, who made a debut in the music industry with his single Firefly, is now widely recognised as an outstanding guitarist.
From one project to another, Riaz has been busy making his mark in the music world. Some time back, the buzz about Riaz’s performance with world’s renowned music producer AR Rahman was doing rounds. But sadly, the performance he was anxiously waiting for, is now just a dream.
With visa being a major hurdle, Riaz was unable to go to India. “I am upset that a small issue such as visa could stop me from learning from and performing with a master musician such as AR Rahman,” says Riaz.
He further adds, “I was looking forward to it. I was honoured that he noticed my work and invited me to come share the stage with him. I had applied well in advance and even the organisers in India were certain that it would come through in time.” He continues: “When the deadline began to approach even AR Rahman’s personal letter was not enough to get my visa to me in time.”
“Am I disappointed? Yes. Am I upset? Yes. It’s difficult to accept that with all the arrangements they made and all the rehearsal I was putting in, I could not go join him for the show on the December 29. Regardless, I have nothing to complain about.”
With the completion and release of his Orchestral Album Circus in the Sky and short film Ruckus, Riaz is content with what he has achieved. With his selection as a TED Fellow, performances and talks at TED Global 2012, various TEDx Conferences all over the world, OneBeat Fellowship and tour of the East Coast of the US — where he performed solo — Riaz says he cannot thank God enough for all the wonderful things that have happened.
“It would have been a wonderful opportunity to learn from a brilliant composer and would also have strengthened the artistic ties between India and Pakistan. Something we desperately need in this day and age,” Riaz concludes.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 1st, 2013.
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he is a guitarist and most certainly an outstanding one
@sobriquet:
i was about to say that
Tribune experts: Usman Riaz is a sitar player so don't label him "an outstanding guitarist".
Interesting, I thought there was some "amn kee asha" causing a new visa regime between the 2 nations??? what happened to that???
Why do Pakistani musicians have to perform in India to get a "stamp of approval"? Talented artists can shine anywhere.Problem is with Pakistani music lovers who do not encourage artists;hence Pakistani artists need Indian audience!!! Pakistan has still not given visas to Lata Mangeshkar to Sonu Nigam;it is outrageous to demand reciprocity from Indians........
@Nauman Ghauri: grow up ! Our artists always praise India and we should be thankful to Indians for giving our artists bigger avenues to learn grow prosper and bring good name to our country
@Nauman Ghauri - get a life dude!!
That's the scared india from Pakistani Musicians like Rahat, Atif and Now a Kid! Huh
Too bad, I wish someone from the Official takes a notice.