I really like Tina Sani. Her calm mesmerizing voice and her way of singing ghazals has made her the choice of ghazal listeners all around the world. While Bahaar Aai, Koi Baat Karo, Ye Haseen Shaam etc have been my all time favorites, I am just absolutely in love with this Ghazal, Gar Mujhe Is Ka Yaqeen Ho… written by another legend, Faiz Ahmed Faiz.

One can clearly feel the pain and helplessness Faiz has conveyed through the lyrics. Tina Sani has sung that equally well. So without much ado, here’s the ghazal for download. Read the rest of this entry »

While my wife is watching episodes of LOST I have already seen, I thought to post something. And since Ramazan is round the corner, I thought of sharing a qawwali which I consider one of the best qawwalis ever sung. It’s Tajdar-e-Haram by Sabri brothers

I remember listening to it since I was a kid. Then once, from god knows where, I found the original version of this qawali. It’s a good 17-18 mins long, filled with spiritually moving lyrics, sung exceptionally well by the duo. Read the rest of this entry »

Three years ago on this date, Asad Amanat Ali Khan, one of most accomplished ghazal singers of our times passed away. Relatively young, fifty-two only, Asad Amanat Ali passed away leaving behind a gap never to be filled again. One of the glaring stars of the famous Patyala Gharana,  son of Ustad Amanat Ali Khan, Asad learned the art and science of classical Hindi ghazal singing at an early age and recorded his first song at the age of ten. Read the rest of this entry »

After a small yet a memorable trip to Skardu and adjoining areas, I plan to write this mini-travel guide to Skardu, for those who haven’t yet been to this most amazing and wonderful place in the world.

About Skardu:
Skardu is a small town in the Baltistan Region of Pakistan. The popular languages are Balti and Urdu, spoken by the natives, who are very friendly, peaceful and welcoming people. Contrary to what some might think, Skardu (up till now) has been a very safe place and you should feel free to travel with friends and family anytime you want. Read the rest of this entry »

It was quite an awful day to start. Went to office and was just checking my email when I saw this news in one of the email items. At first I couldn’t believe it, then I followed the story and it was everywhere, yes, it’s true, he is no more. I called up a few friends and most of them were yeah surprised a little but not depressed and gloomy like I was.

It was the year 1984 my Abbu brought home this thriller video. We sat down and watched it through. As a kid I was frightened a little but I absolutely fell in love with the song and this where I first heard his name, Michael Jackson. I asked my mom, if I could get the jacket he’s wearing in the thriller song with an M embossed right on shoulder (if I remember correctly). Then I remember watching the Billi Jean, what superb number, totally took me away, the dance, that moon walking was so unreal and so exciting. I tried to do that a lot, unsuccessfully though while at home.

Then time passed by, I connected to his music again when Dangerous was released. The black and white, do you remember and all the numbers were just so great, oh i forgot the song I most admired was GIVE IN TO ME … wow what a number.

Michael Jackson was THE pop star. Everything he did, the videos he made, the way he performed was all out of this world, and I know I really can’t justify his art with my words. For me, he was my childhood, my first pop star. At one point, we also made a website called MJ Mania as a tribute to the legend. I tried to get to that site today but for some reason it was not there. I will hopefully put up the link soon.

I know a lot of people just love to talk about the controversial side of his life. I really don’t care much. I mean we should just stop judging people and take them as they are. I have reasons to believe, he was a good guy, supporting more than 29 charities at one point.

Well, thought my heart is all heavy and depressed, and I can keep on writing about him, but I guess all I am trying is to give back a little to him, for all the everlasting entertainment and music that he made for us.

Long live Michael.

Pakistan’s Ghazal music so deeply romantic, touching and full of soul, that if someone would ask me to pick one favorite, i would certainly won’t be able to do so. Yet, this one ghazal, always always stands out. I am listening to it while I write this and I am engrossed in the romance of the poetry, the melody and lyrics. Nothing, no one ghazal can be compared to this Ghazal which I rate as the Ghazal of all times. Read the rest of this entry »

Written by Noon Meem Rashid, Mujhe Vidaa Kar is an exceptionally well written nazm beautifully sung by our favorite Nayyara Noor. I can’t write enough wonderful things about this piece of poetry. You can feel the pain and sadness it carries deep down in your heart as you listen to this. Read the rest of this entry »

Teri yaad satandi is an exceptionally well sung number by Sajjad Ali. It’s deeply melodious, touching and will you along with it. Not many people know that this song was originally sung by Medam Noor Jehan and composed by Master Abdullah. Sajjad Ali recomposed and sung it for a drama called  Thori Khushi Thora Ghum. Read the rest of this entry »

The other day, someone asked me If I have this song, sung by Ali Haider. I am not a big fan of Ali Haider, but this song holds a special place in my heart. The composition by Arshad Mehmood is as usual melodious and soothing. This song, written by Nasir Kazmi is from the PTV Drama Parosi (Padosi).

Here’s the link to download MP3 file of the song to your computer. Simply right click and save. Enjoy!

Click here to download MP3 (Ga raha tha koi darakhton mein)

Here’s the video in case you want to see.

Here’s the online presentation I gave recently at the Digital Marketing Workshop, I am publishing it here for you all. Alternatively, you can also view the presentation here, online. Read the rest of this entry »