Singer Altamash Faridi

MUSIC GIVES ME SOLACE

Singer Altamash Faridi





Singer Altamash Faridi is delighted to be part of the ensembles for Deewani Mastani and Aaj Ibaadat from Bajirao Mastani

Altamash Faridi has spent four short but fruitful years in Mumbai with a roster of songs he has steadily built up, including His latest is his songs in Bajirao Mastani. Excerpts from an interview:

How did Deewani Mastani and Aaj Ibaadat happen?

I had just come back from a show in Delhi and had a bad throat. I was pleasantly surprised to get a call from Shail Hada who works with Sanjay Leela Bhansali (filmmaker and music director of Bajirao Mastani). He said, `Sanjayji wants to record you. He appreciates the songs you have done before so come to the studio.' He had heard my voice in Awaara (Alone). I was happy to get such a big opportunity for a big film with Sanjayji. I went there with my brother Shadab Sabri and they liked my voice. The first song we recorded was Deewani Mastani. He briefed me about how he wanted me to sound and it went off smoothly.
After Deewani Mastani, Sanjayji asked me to sing the part in Aaj Ibaadat. The song goes `Aaj ibaadat rubaru ho gayi. Jo maangi thi uss dua se guftagu ho gayi.' It's a love song. It also means my prayers are answered so it's a Sufi love song. My training in Hindustani classical with my dad helped me execute this difficult song. I didn't have to pretend to be anything else with Sanjayji. It was a breeze working with him.

What was it like singing with your brother?

I had sung with Shadab before in Mann Kunto Maula (Gunday). Pritamda asked us to do the vocals together for the theme song of Dhoom 3. Shadab and I have been doing live shows together for a couple of years. Our synergy on stage is superb. Shadab has been living in Mumbai for a while and I moved here four years ago.

How did your journey into music happen?

I was crazy about cricket and wouldn't study when I was small. It would get dad worried.Music is my life. If it wasn't for music, I don't know what would have happened to me.Music gives me solace. I learnt classical music from my father Ustad Mehtab Faridi. He's quite a strict teacher. He tells us rightly, `If I hadn't scolded you both while training, you wouldn't have reached the heights today.' I was obsessed with going to Mumbai and singing for films. I would dream about the day my songs would be shown on TV, and by God's grace, those days have come.
I left college to come to Mumbai. I loved to sing at functions. Teachers used to shout at me for not studying. One professor told me, `You are wasting your time and your parents' money.' The students used to make fun of me in college. When I would walk by, they would jibe, `Arre, woh dekho singer aa raha hai.' I used to forget the taunts and jokes when I got on the stage. I had a feeling that one day, I would make a name for myself and be appreciated. The same people are happy to see me when I go back to Saharanpur. It used to be a small town back then, today it's more of a cosmopolitan city.

How did your career in Bollywood start?

I was sitting idle for a long time after coming to Mumbai. I didn't know who to meet and what to do for a few months. Someone advised me to return home and complete my studies. It angered me but I was considering going back.That was when I was selected for a reality singing show on Doordarshan. The same guy said that I would be outed in a couple of rounds but Shadab encouraged me. I feel honoured that I got to sing in front of yesteryear music director Ravindra Jainji. He encouraged me a lot and I went on to win. My confidence came back. After that, stage shows started and I got the title track of No Problem. That started my career in Bollywood music. Mithoon is another person I owe a lot to.

Who is your idol?

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
What's next?
I am doing live shows with Kanika Kapoor and am looking forward to my next song Jeena Sikha Diya in Do Lafzon Ki Kahani.