Monday, February 2, 2009


SAJJAD ALI
Sajjad Ali (Urdu: سجاد علی. Born 1966) is a Pakistani semi-classical, pop singer, film actor, director and producer. He was one of the pioneers of pop music and emerged to fame in the early 1980s. However, he was already known to some people as a semi-classical singer due to his work in the classical industry and his family popularity. He is one of very few Pakistani pop singers with full training in classical singing.

Life & Career

Sajjad Ali was born in 1966 in Karachi in a Shia Muslim family. He was born into a cricketer family and showed visible signs of musical talents at a very young age. His father, Shafqat Hussain (Sajan), was a Indian Malayalam movie director before Sajjad was born. In 1972, when Sajjad was in his sixth year, Tasadduq Husain, his uncle, a cricketer and a music lover was overwhelmed by his musical abilities. Due to this, Husain started teaching music to Sajjad with his classical collection. During Sajjad's training, Husain played music from legendary classical artists such as Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan and Ustaad Barkat Ali Khan and Ustad Mubarak Ali Khan. As time went on Sajjad learnt and familiarized himself with the various styles of music and instruments such as ragas that allowed Sajjad to build his musical talent.

Sajjad released his first classical hit album "Master Sajjad sings Memorable Classics in 1979 the musicians were Great Bade Ghulam Ali Khan Sab, Mehdi Hassan Khan Sahab and Ghulam Ali and Amanat Ali Khan Sab, most of the songs were written by Hasrat Mohani, Momin and many more.

Sajjad made his debut on the 25th anniversary of PTV's stage show, called Silver Jubilee, on November 26, 1983. During the show, Sajjad sung the song Lagi ray lagay lagan yehe dil mein and Bawari Chakuri. The song was a huge hit in Pakistan and allowed Sajjad to take the first few steps in the music industry. Sajjad great talent went on with major hits such as Babia 93, Chief Saab, Sohni Lag Di, and many more.

Sajjad and his brother, Waqar Ali, wrote lyrics for Sajjad's album. Also, lyricists, Sabir Zafar, Mohammad Nasir, Nadeem Asad, and Ali Moin also wrote songs for Sajjad. In the film industry, Sajjad also directed his first movie Love letter in 1989 and then his first full length motion picture Aik Aur love story in 1998.

His brother Waqar Ali is also in the music industry. Sajjad Ali sang the song "Teri Yaad, Na Boloon Gi and Sunn Leyna" for drama serials. His brother, Waqar also helped during the making of the songs as is credited too.

Nowadays, Sajjad Ali is a widely acclaimed Pakistani singer, whose trial and tribulation with singing reflects his own profound belief in the power of music. During July 2006, Sajjad released a brand new single called "Chal Rein De" in which he has a complete make over and has produced a more classical song rather than a pop version which is more popular for. However, the song has been a smash hit. He has entered hearts of millions of people in Pakistan with his soulfull classical singing.

In the September 3, 2006, Sajjad Ali released another little known single in a totally different genre with the help of Meloscience Corp. The song is known as Sajjad-Ali Sinsym Flight, and it is an experimental, jazzy, sufi beat, different then anything he has ever created.

In late April 2008, Sajjad Ali his released latest album, Chahar Balish, which contained new tracks as well as previous tracks such as Chal Rein De.

Discography

Albums

Singles

Filmography

As Composer

As Director

As Actor

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