'You can't earn revenues from albums anymore': Shafqat Amanat Ali

Ahead of his concert in Dubai, Pakistani singer Shafqat Amanat Ali on what brings him back to the city... again and again (and it's not just music)

For those who follow his music, Shafqat Amanat Ali's voice is synonymous with purity. It is a voice that doesn't need an instrument to back it up. It holds its own, has a rich musical stock, and continues to surprise the listeners with sheer range. Fresh from the success of two playback songs - one for Lollywood film Yalghaar and one from Salman Khan's Tubelight - the talented singer will be in town on September 8 to perform at Legends @ DXB concert, alongside Rekha Bhardwaj, at the World Trade Centre. In a conversation, the Pakistani singer shares his thoughts on the prospect of returning to Dubai... and Coke Studio.
As a performer, what draws you to Dubai?
I totally love Dubai. This concert is going to be a continuation of the Eid celebrations and it gives me another chance to perform with the dynamic Rekha Bhardwaj. It will be a grand event at the Sheikh Rashid Hall. Rekhaji's voice is very sweet and being with her on stage is pure fun. One of the songs we used to do together during a tour was so much fun. The audiences loved the collaboration, and we've had a great time performing it on stage too. The time spent off stage with her was just as much fun.
What can your fans look forward to in this concert? Any new songs?
I will be singing all the new hits that have been added to my repertoire over the years. The classics will obviously be part of the show as well. I will also be performing a song, which will be a tribute to our great guitarist Aamir Zaki, who passed away recently.

You will be part of Coke Studio Season 10, after a long gap of eight seasons. Why such a long break?
I had my reasons for not doing it for a while, including some issues with the format of Coke Studio. I was offered Season 9, but refused as I didn't agree with a few things. But since Strings (the producing duo) are great friends, I couldn't say no to them when they asked me this second time for Season 10. I am doing two new compositions - one by Shani and one by Shuja Haider. The third is an old but very celebrated song and I am extremely excited about it.
You sang a version of Kuch Nahin for the film Tubelight. With the current ban on Pakistani artists in India, how do you manage to record songs for Bollywood?
It's the digital age, so it's not really difficult to dub anything from any part of the world. Once the producer decides that your voice should be in the movie, the rest is just logistics. Dubbing songs from here (Pakistan) is not difficult at all given how technology works. I was doing this in Bollywood even before, as songs needed to be dubbed almost as soon as I was approached. Since it was not possible to travel all the time, I would dub from home and send.
Your recent song for the Pakistani film Yalghaar, Yaad Na Aawein, became popular due to its emotional appeal. You've had many such songs in your repertoire. Do you feel your voice has become synonymous with pathos?
Not really. Considering all my songs are so different in their genres and feel, I wouldn't say that. But I am often approached to sing soulful songs, and some of my most popular ones do fit into that category. Yaad Na Aawein was a song that I had composed and written; I felt that any sad song stays with the listeners for a very long time. The very line Yaad Na Aawein sounded fresh and new to me. That's why I was inspired to compose it. I was thinking of using this song somewhere else as a single, but when Dr Hasan Rana (the director) came to offer me another song in the movie, I played this one for him and he instantly asked me not to give it to anyone as he was taking it for the film.
You've recently launched a new single. Do you prefer singles over albums? Is the age of albums over?
Well, to some extent it is. Perhaps it works only for those who are producing music for money, but you can't earn revenues from albums anymore. Times have changed for singers or musicians, but, for me, the reason behind doing singles is different. I don't get a lot of time right now because of various concerts and performances. However, I need to keep producing and releasing fresh content other than what I sing for the film and television industries of Pakistan and India. So, in a way, this is a perfect solution. Tonnes of ideas come to my mind and I would like to do justice to all of them. I feel each song gets better focus when released as a single. I also feel it is better to release them as singles as it's also faster; albums just take so much more time to create and release.
You are a huge fan of Bollywood retro music. What are the three songs that are staples in your playlist?
Those will be Tere Bina Zindagi Se Koi Shiqwa Toh Nahi (from Aandhi), Kuch Toh Log Kahenge and Yeh Kya Hua, Kaise Hua (both from Amar Prem).
Those who know you claim that your love for music is probably surpassed by your love for food. Last time, we met at a steakhouse, you were raving about the food in the UAE. Given that Dubai is such a culinary hub, what do you like to indulge in?
I love Lebanese cuisine, so I always look forward to that when I come to Dubai. I also like trying new dishes in every cuisine. Usually, when I sit down with friends to eat, I scan what everyone else is eating. If I like what I see, I get myself that dish (laughs). So, I think this time it will be three Lebanese dishes. Also, I will look for a new steakhouse this time.
wknd@khaleejtimes.com