“Music is dying a slow death in Kashmir. Radio Kashmir and DD kashir are not serious about composing new songs. I was called to record only one song about a decade back and then forgotten,” Mudasir Ali
When he once sang LIVE at DD Kashir studio, Farooq Abdullah was so impressed by his singing that he got up on the stage and gifted him his wrist watch. While Imitating the voice of Nusrat fateh Ali Khan is his forte-a thing he says he is proud of-the 32-year-old hunk Mudasir Ali made every one proud in his hometown Srinagar when he made it to the top ten of the international musical reality show Sur Shetra. Life has been a struggle for Mudasir from being an
undisguised commoner on the streets of Srinagar to a television celebrity known throughout the length and breadth of India.
While talking to Jamsheed Rasool of The Kashmir Scenario, Mudasir feels that music in the state of Jammu and Kashmir is dying a slow death and the government is oblivious to any plans of reviving it.
When was for the first time that you felt there was a singer inside you? What made you bypass other palatable alternatives to opt for singing?
As a six-year-old I recognized my elder brother was a singer. I started singing with him at home and sooner my brother like an astute jeweler saw the singing talent in me. He got me in touch with Akhoon sahib, a program officer at Radio Kashmir. Akhoon told me that my voice was fit for Sufi songs. I took his advice and began singing in that genre only.
(While stressing his memory) I remember I was in eighth standard when I sang my first song for Commercial Broadcasting Service and then I did regular shows for the channel.
What did the knack of imitating Ustaad Nusrat Fateh Ali khan’s voice catch you?
The voice of Nusrat fateh Ali Khan had magic. It was my first love of sorts. I was smitten by his voice. Right from my school days I used to sing like him. Prior to him I used to imitate Kishore Kumar.
The ‘Sangam’ album of Nusrat fateh Ali Khan impressed me a lot. I began to imitate his voice and got a lot of appreciation from people. I made it sure Nusrat was part of my itinerary wherever I sang. I pride myself in being able to imitate his voice so well.
You have had your brushes with DD Kashir as well. How did your stint at DD Kashir go?
In 2001, I came in to contact with a private producer N A Qazi. He was instrumental in introducing me at Dordarshan Kendra Srinagar. I recorded a song for them which became an instant hit. They also used to invite for certain functions where I would perform. At one LIVE performance at DD Kashir in 1998, Farooq Abdullah was so impressed by my singing that he got up on the stage and gifted me his wrist watch. That was the proudest moment of my singing career.
Your albums where quite a rage among youth a few years ago. How did you take the response of people towards your albums?
Yes my albums which include Shaan, Jab Bahaar Aayi, Deedar, Aadnuk yaaar and jigar sold like hot cakes in Srinagar and other districts of the valley. It gave me a confidence that I could perform at a bigger stage.
The reality show ‘Sur Shetra’ on Colours was a watershed event in your career. How did you feel when Mudasir who was till then just another face in the crowd became talk of the town all of a sudden?
(Smiles) Sur Shetra was an important event in my life. It gave me an instant fame. Only yesterday I was walking on the Boulevard road. A boy rowing his boat recognized me and instantly cried,”Hey Mudasir Surshetra”. A strange sense of joy dawned on me. People recognize me. They know I am a singer. For an artist that is the greatest appreciation than awards and medals. In metropolitan cities like New Delhi and Mumbai, I bump into people who recognize me by my face. That is why I sing. I want to be remembered as a Kashmiri who struggled hard to make a name for him.
Bollywood is a dream place for any singer. How did you fare in the city of dreams?
For a Kashmiri boy, I tell you, Mumbai was too big a place. An acquaintance of mine somehow made me talk to Sonu Nigam over phone. Sonu sir wanted me to sing a song over the phone and at that point only Sonu Nigam told me if I could sing for his upcoming album. My joy knew no bounds. Alhamdulillah, it was the first of many to come. I also sang a duet with Shubha Mudgal for Sonu Nigam’s yet to be released album. I was lucky to be singing with her. Not many have got the chance, I tell you.
What keeps Mudasir busy these days?
Well I am doing shows not only in India but also in foreign countries. I have done shows in Malysia, Bnagkok, Singapore, and Dubai. These days I am composing music for an upcoming Bollywood movie ‘Imaandaari Ki Maa Ki Aankh’. I think many in Mumbai have begun to realise my talent. It is always a great feeling.
Your message to budding singers of the valley and for youth in general.
For the budding singers I seriously advise to learn from established singers. If youth manage to ward of their ego then there are a lot of opportunities there. Having said that, I must admit there always people who try to bog you down. Pay as less attention to those people as possible. There is no short cut to success. Practice is absolutely necessary. Hard work holds the key.