KARACHI:
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has probably had the smoothest of all transitions from traditional qawwali to mainstream playback singing. He has not given up qawwali as such and Pata Yaar Daa from Zinda Bhaag is a testimony to that fact. However, it is his playback singing that has made him the most sought after artist in the Asian sub-continent.
This time around, due to the declining state of the music industry, the maestro has decided to do something many Pakistani artistes shy away from. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan finally launched his second studio album Back2Love, which was initially unveiled at the IIFA awards earlier this year.
Since then, the singer has been travelling world over to launch the album on various platforms, and his recent visit to McDonald’s Pakistan was an extension of that. On Saturday, night the singer visited the Sea View Karachi branch of the fast food outlet, and interacted with his fans and friends as details regarding his new album were shared.
Wearing a white Shalwar Kameez, Khan was welcomed with flowers and a huge round of applause, as fans milled around him to get pictures taken even before he could sit down! In his short and sweet visit, Khan started by apologizing to fans for the delay in his arrival, and followed up with a quick take on Back2Love.
“Like any other creative process, music requires a lot of concentration and time,” Khan said at the press conference at McDonald’s. “And I have tried my level best to not compromise on anything and bring you the best I have yet to offer.”
He further elaborated that the experimental approach of newcomers towards fusion music has given Pakistani music a new identity, and that gives him a sense of pride whenever he visits other countries.
Later on, he announced Sadia Hussain as one of the winners who would travel with him on a UK tour later this year. Names of other winners will be announced every ten days from now.
Khan was in awe of Express Media Group’s support for creative arts, and said that music is a very important cause to support these days. “I appreciate Express Group for supporting music and am very thankful to the media for supporting this cause.” Said Khan
Back2Love comprises ten love songs, as it is the message of love that Khan wants to propagate through this album. “Love is everything and that is my message to all my fans and listeners “
The video of Zaroori Tha from the album, has already been released and has so far received more than 3.5 million views on YouTube.
At the end of the press conference, Khan mingled with the young crowd at the popular food franchise, and gave away free copies of his album.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 24th, 2014.
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@Np: Bhajji have you seen any videos of Nargis or Deedar? And if Rahat is targeting Indian audience so what? Music has no boundaries my friend. I wish him a successful career, and hope his album does well !!
NP
What PAKISTANI movie you find Hijabi touch. Have you seen anjuman dancing on the tunes of ekoo Manji banday doo wearing hijab
Going by the video of Zaroori Tha, it looks like Rahat has targetted the Indian audience not the Pakistani one. Why do I say this? - the main characters are Indian models - the way both the girls (including Gauhar who is Muslim) are dressed is hardly the modest hijaabi look.
Nice song by the way.