Our beloved singer, Atif Aslam, has given an interview to the Khaleej Times. Also, he was prepared for his concert with the Firdaus Orchestra musicians on Saturday, March 4, at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. In the interview, Atif expressed his gratitude towards his fans and the support they have shown him throughout his career. He also talked about the challenges he faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has affected the music industry. As for the concert, he promised his fans an unforgettable experience filled with his famous hits and new songs from his latest album.
In the interview, Atif said that “I am just surprised,” he says, referencing the fact that some of his old time songs are still a rage with people. He claims that music is a blessing and a joy, even though it eventually becomes out of date. “I am blessed enough to sing the Bollywood numbers as well as my own compositions,” so that they still enjoy and listen to my music. classic remains a classic. Despite this, Aadat has a cult following, which is why my fans refer to themselves as “Aadeez.” They find it very challenging to separate themselves from that song, and I adore them. They also don’t want their name to be discredited. We know we’re made to feel a certain way listening to the lyrics in Atif’s songs, but what motivates him to write lyrics like these? “Well, mostly my stories,” he says. “How I would approach a conversation with another person; how other people have influenced my life and music; and how other people have influenced me. Or, on occasion, I will also write about what I am hearing as I listen to someone else’s story.” That is the case with Atif’s own compositions, but when it comes to Bollywood songs, according to the circumstances of the films, other lyricists write the majority of the songs. Atif’s fans appreciate his personal touch in his own compositions, but he still manages to bring life to other lyricists’ work when needed for movie soundtracks. It is all about adapting to the story being told through the music. Although Atif is best known for his own compositions, he skillfully collaborates with other lyricists to create unforgettable Bollywood hits that match the mood and feel of the films they accompany. This demonstrates his versatility as an artist and his ability to adapt to different styles and genres.
He says, “I am fortunate enough to be able to sing the Bollywood numbers as well as my own compositions.” It is almost like playing the role of an actor, singing songs with lyrics written by other lyricists, and switching between characters. Atif, a playback singer who has worked on numerous Bollywood projects, concurs that you need to act when you’re in the studio. Since you’re confined to a specific space and feel very claustrophobic, I don’t particularly enjoy singing in studios. However, you must comprehend the situation and put yourself in the character’s position. What would they be doing at this point in the film? Is it a love song? Or a sad song? So you have to emote the emotion.” That’s the beauty of music: It allows you to express and convey emotions that words alone cannot. And it’s up to the listener to interpret and connect with it in their own way. Music has a way of touching our deepest emotions and connecting us with others who feel the same way. A sad song may make us cry, but it also allows us to process and release our emotions.
Atif has been in the music industry for around two decades now, from his initial days in the band Jal to becoming a playback singer for Bollywood films, being a part of Coke Studio, and returning to single track releases, and his fans have remained loyal to him throughout it all. So how does he gauge his level of achievement? He claims that his definition of success is completely different from what most people would consider it to be. “It is not materialistic at all. We’ve been to places, performed pretty much everywhere in the world, and played in great venues, but it is never enough. It is how you improve yourself and offer more to the audience. And for me, success is sort of connecting through my music to the one above everything, who has created us. Tajdar-e-Haram is one song that, when we performed it live, gave us that feeling. And the rest is irrelevant. On March 4, Atif will treat fans to a live performance of some of his most well-known songs. They (fans) can anticipate hearing some of our classic songs that have never been performed live, as well as some new arrangements of our classic songs, he says. This time, they are prominently featured in the set list. The singing sensation will also honour A.R. Rahman, a mentor of the Firdaus Orchestra, during the concert. The Firdaus Orchestra is excited to showcase their unique sound to fans and is thrilled to perform alongside a legendary artist. They hope to pay homage to A.R. Rahman through their music and create a memorable experience for all in attendance.
Atif has shared the stage with orchestras, but not with one as big as the Firdaus Orchestra. We have 32 musicians on stage, and every single one of them is incredible, claims Atif. The flute player, our engineers, and everyone else are amazing and doing a fantastic job, and I especially love the Arabic section. Atif recalled the time he was invited to a concert at the studio and was asked about his opinions of A.R. Rahman. Rahman wanted to show him the facility, and Atif was nothing less than impressed. “He’s phenomenal,” says Atif of Rahman. He deserves a lot of praise because he supports live performances and orchestral music, which is sort of going out of style. Kudos to him for how he has formed this band and brought all these musicians from different cultures and countries together. They can adapt to a variety of scores and have a very tight, distinctive sound. I’ve grown up listening to his music, and to be able to come to his studio and perform his songs and share the stage with him is just unbelievable and unmatchable.” It’s evident that their music has transcended over time, attracting fans from different generations. Their live performances are also a testament to the fact that they are seasoned musicians who know how to keep their audience entertained. Being able to collaborate with such an accomplished musician is truly an honour, and it’s something that I will always treasure for the rest of my life. His unique style has had a profound impact on my music, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with him.
Atif’s upcoming concert will be his first overseas appearance of the year, and the Pakistani singer is thrilled and energised to perform. The singer of Woh Lamhe believes that Dubai is the ideal location for this concert. “It is because you get to see a lot of different cultures and hear very different stories from people,” he said. “Some have met me long ago, some tell me about the progress, and some try not to like my music. And I appreciate all of them.”
Atif is thankful to his fans for making him a part of their special moments, be it their break-ups, their love relationships, etc. “I can’t tell you enough how blessed I am to feel that I am,” he writes in a final note to his fans. “Thank you for making my music a part of your lives.”
