Concerts in Auckland (October 12) and Wellington (October 13)
Venkat Raman
Versatile Pakistani artiste Sajjad Ali will perform in Auckland and Wellington next month.
Organised by ‘Flair N Fun,’ a New Zealand based event management and entertainment company, the Sajjad Ali show will be held at the Victory Convention Centre (98 Beaumont Street, Freemans Bay), Auckland on Friday, October 12, 2018 and at the Lower Hutt Event Centre (30 Laings Road) Lower Hutt, Wellington region on Saturday, October 13, 2018.
Tickets for the two performances, priced between $38.88 and $229 (which includes a meal with the visiting artiste in Auckland) are now on sale.
For details, please contact Ali Surhio, Director of ‘Flair N Fun,’ on (09) 2143272 or 021-1804146. Email: info@flairnfun.co.nz; Tickets can be booked at www.eventfinda.co.nz
Multitalented Star
Sajjad Ali is a Pakistani Semi-Classical, Pop and Rock Singer, Poet, Actor, Film Director and Film Producer from Karachi, Pakistan. His father, Shafqat Hussain (Sajan), was a Pakistani film actor (he debuted in ‘Badal Aur Bijli,’ a box-office hit released in 1973) and a Cricketer.
Following his graduation, Sajjad came under the tutelage of his uncle Tassaduq Hussain who taught him classical music. He was inspired by famous artistes (and granduncles) including Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Ustad Barkat Ali Khan and Ustad Mubarak Ali Khan.
He was also briefly trained by his uncle Ustad Munawar Ali Khan, son of Ghulam Ali Khan.
Sajjad belongs to the Patiala Gharana of classical musicians.
Classical Album
Sajjad’s Ali first classical hit album, ‘Master Sajjad Sings Memorable Classics,’ released in 1979, featured Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Mehdi Hassan, Ghulam Ali and Amanat Ali Khan, with most of the songs written by Hasrat Mohani and Momin.
He has to his credit three Music Albums, namely, ‘Babia 93,’ ‘Chief Saab’ and ‘Sohni Lag Di.’
He collaborates with his brother Waqar in writing lyrics for most of the songs in his albums, while Sabir Zafar, Mohammad Nasir, Nadeem Asad, and Ali Moin have also written some songs.
Sajjad Ali has performed at the launch of a US sponsored music video to promote health awareness about mothers and new-borns.
Telefilms over the years
He made his television debut with ‘Aap Janab’ by Athar Shah Khan, followed by in ‘Rung Barangi Duniya’ by musician Sohail Rana. He also performed in ‘Rag Rung’ in 1980 when he was 14 years old. He reached the height of fame with ‘Shoaib Mansoor,’ to mark the Silver Jubilee of Pakistan TV at which he rendered, ‘Banwari Chakori,’ originally sung by Noor Jehan.
He directed ‘Love Letter,’ his first telefilm in 1989 and then his first full-length motion picture ‘Aik Aur Love Story’ in 1998.
Earlier, he performed as an actor and singer in ‘Munda Tera Deewana,’ directed by Zahoor Husain Gillani. Sajjad has also sung songs for drama serials on Pakistan Television.
Rahman extols Sajjad
India’s Oscar-winning musician A R Rahman has described Sajjad as ‘the original crossover.’
“From the realm of the classical, he metamorphosed into one of the brightest lights of Pakistani Pop. Always striking the right note and never missing a beat, even the most hardened purist has to give Sajjad his due. This man can breathe life into a Ghazal even as he puts the V back into verve. He is one of the very few ‘complete’ singers in Pakistan.”
Married to Noreen, the couple have four children (two sons and two daughters).
He lives in Dubai with his family.
About Flair N Fun’
An event management established in Pakistan by the late Mukhtiar Surhio, Fair N Fun boasts of more than 30 years of experience in organising International Concerts, Rock, Sufi Programmes, Classic Music and Ghazals, Fashion Shows, Road shows, Private and Birthday Parties and Corporate Events.
The late Mr Mukhtiar appeared in several television shows including ‘50/50,’ ‘Mithi Jia Marhoun,’ ‘Bayghar,’ and ‘Dil Jee Duniya,’ and organised many events in Pakistan.
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Picture of Sajjad Ali from brecorder.com
