Saagar | EverythingShafqat

shafqat-amanat-ali

There are some songs that you keep returning to again and again. They are the songs with a memory tag- it could be the memory of a moment, a season, a time in the day, something from the past that haunts you, or something in the future that you anticipate…it could be an emotion- joy, despair, hope, love…anything.

There are many songs by Shafqat Amanat Ali, which I keep returning to again and again… happily, because to hear him sing is always a joy…even if he is singing sad songs.

Here are some of them…mostly the lesser heard and underrated.

His album Saagar as a part of the Fuzon band was a runaway success. Khamaj and Aankhon ke Saagar are still as popular today as they were back then in 2002 when the album was released. But my two favourites from the album, based on 2 beautiful raags, are these:

Madhbanti

Malhar

Tabeer was Shafqat’s first solo album after breaking away from Fuzon. It showed his prowess as a vocalist and composer. It had big hits like Khedeyan de naal and Darabri, and also his interpretation of the evergreen Dumadum mast kalandar. But what stole my heart was this beautiful little song tucked in between all these big ones… the singing in antara is to die for.

Naina

The album also had a heartfelt prayer to the almighty…it says everything everyone ever would want to say to God in times of distress…

Manqabat

Kyun Dooriyan his second solo album has atleast 3 songs that I absolutely love

Mahiya, the lamenting for a loved one who has gone away.

Naukar tere : I have a special connection with this one. Whenever things go haywire and seem out of control I turn to this joyful surrender to the will of God.

And then there is this one called Pahari because of the raag on which it is based. I love this guitar version in particular which keeps the focus on the voice…

Muh Dikhai came in 2015 and contained many a gem but the ones that I loop the most are these two:

Rang, because of the immense love I have for Amir Khusrau and the fact that Shafqat made it sound like no other previous rendition of this…it is soft, and sweet and feminine and I love it!

Teri Khoj– What do I say about this one except that I just wish more and more people would have the time and inclination to listen to this one for what it has to say. Just the fact that Shafqat had the sensibility to pick up this beautiful poem by Prof Mohan Singh and sing it for the world is worth admiring. You can find the whole poem with translation here. These are words everyone needs to hear and feel…

Moving on to some other singles…

Lang aaja -This languid, semi-classical version of this lovely Punjabi folk is so delightful..

Ram Rai– A shabad by Bhakt Bhikan…This is food for soul

Shafqat shows his light, romantic side in this one…this shall remain forever my happy song!

Tu hi tu hai

He has sung scores of songs for Pakistani TV series and this one remains the one that I keep revisiting every now and then…

Jiya jaaye na :

Yahan : This was done as a promotion for tourism in the Gilgit –Baltistan and has a beautiful video. But I always listen to it with eyes closed and get transported to my home in the hills.