Who is Atif Aslam?

Atif Aslam was born March 12, 1983, in Wazirabad Gujranwala. In First Grade, he was in a play, where he played the part of the Captain of a Cricket team. And he was hooked. His passion became Cricket, and his goal in life was to play professionally. He would play in his yard, as a child, for hours, rain or shine. Back then, he had no interest, at all, in any type of music. Funny, how things change.

Later, in college, while concentrating on Cricket, his oldest brother introduced him to various types of music. And he began to sing along with these songs. And his life would change.

It was the Independence Day celebration at the college campus in Lahore, Pakistan, 1998. Atif's college friends had heard him sing, and convinced him to enter the singing competition. He entered, and won.

Later, Atif went to the Punjab Institute of Computer Science Gulberg Campus. He didn't have time for Cricket, there. But he continued to play music in his small amounts of spare time. This had become a side-hobby for him. The local small-time media had heard of him, as he was something of a small-time celebrity. They entered him into the next local competition, at the last minute. Again, he won. This put him in contact with some locals, who put together a band with him. They began performing at the local McDonald's, and putting on concerts at the college.

He and his band, which they called Jal (which means "water, the essence of life"), went to a local recording studio and recorded the song "Aadat". The song gained popularity on local music sites, and local radio stations began to play it. He was later approached by another local, to shoot an amateur video of the song. The girl who plays as the angel in the video distributed it, to get word out. In December of that year, his video was released on "Ary the Music", and it became an overnight sensation.

July 18, 2004, the band released their first album, "Jal Pari". Two of the songs from that album were used by Bollywood film directors, in 2005. This was what first made him popular in India, as well as Pakistan. His third song "Tere Bin" is also being considered as one of the most touching and heart melting numbers of the year 2006.

Three of his songs, "Aadat", "Ehsaas", and "Yakeen", were chosen to be played in the Hollywood art movie "Man Push Cart". This was a big thing for a Pakistani singer! This movie did great at the International Film Festival.

Atif has been nominated for many international awards, during his short career. This is a matter of great pride, in his country. This man is a big star in Pakistan and India. But he isn't well-known here, in the States. I can't imagine why.

How did I learn of Atif Asam? I happened across an Indian video on YouTube, one day, with "funny translations". That led from one of those to another. Until I came upon one called "Mehboob Mere", and mentioned in a comment that I wanted to know what she was singing in that song. A Pakistani girl answered my call, and translated the song for me. And she linked me to the song "Aadat". And that began my passion for Atif.

The sound of Atif Aslam's voice is so pure, and true. It's almost angelic. He writes all of his songs, and puts such passion in his singing. It's beautiful. My favorite song of his is "Kuch is Tarah."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YrWDBp-DG8

This video was from one of their television shows. But this song has been played in movies and television. It is one of the best love songs ever. Let me provide a translation:

Kuch is tarah, teri palkein, meri palkon se mila de
(In such a way, your eyelashes, join them to my eyelashes)
Aansoo tere saari, meri palkon pe sajaa de
(All of your tears, decorate them on my eyelashes)

(Meaning, let our eyes join, so that your tears may fall into my eyes. In other words, let me cry with you.)

Tu har ghari har waqt mere saath raha hai
(You are with me, every second, every day)
Haan yeh jism kabhi door, kabhi paas raha hai
(Whether you're far away or near)
Jo bhi gham hain yeh tere, unhein tu mera pataa de
(Whatever problems you have, give them to me)

Mujhko toh tere chehre pe yeh ghum nahin janchta
(That sadness doesn't fit on your face)
Jaayiz nahin laghta mujha ghum se tere rishta
(Your relationship with sadness isn't just)
Sun meri ghuzarish ise chehre se hataa de
(Listen to my request, wipe it from your face.)

Such a beautiful song. Not enough people in this world are willing to share someone's pain. Listen to the songs of Atif Aslam. It's an uplifting experience.