-Photo by Hassan Rana

Though it was the first time I met classical vocalist Akbar Ali, it felt like meeting a long-lost friend, with whom one could talk to about anything for hours and it seemed like just a few minutes had gone by.

It was during my recent visit to Lahore that I had the pleasure of meeting a son of Jalandhar’s Naalan Gharana. Enjoying kebabs and mutton karahi with rumali roti at a Mughlai restaurant in the walled city we talked about Akbar’s love for music and his on going journey as a musician.

“Our entire family would sing in a setting filled with love, and honesty,” Akbar said reminiscing his childhood.

A qawwal by training and tradition, Akbar fondly spoke about his musical lineage and how the tradition of qawwali was an integral part of his upbringing. His real interest, however, is in performing khayal, thumri and kafi. These he learned from him uncle, Ustad Mubarak Ali Khan, a student of the venerated Sham Chaurasi gharana and follower of Ustad Amir Khan's style of singing.

Despite his strong classical roots in Pakistan, Akbar didn’t gain recognition as a musical artist till his appearance in an Indian talent show, Junoon Kuch Kar Dikhane Ka.

Producers of the show found a video of Akbar on YouTube, now banned in Pakistan, through which he was selected. The show was just the platform the young artist needed.

“The success and popularity that I was able to achieve while being in India is priceless. I grew both as a person and an artist. The people in India were extremely warm, accommodating, and loving.

My success will always be attributable in large part to my time in India.

Personally I was a bit disheartened that Akbar has to cross the border for his talent to be recognised and appreciated. But Akbar explained the situation.

“Pakistan still has a long road ahead in terms of allowing classical music to flourish. Our platform is weak and much has been lost to political instability, rampant poverty, and the inability to recognise and nurture talent.”

Speaking on the limited platforms for displaying one’s talent he said: “I was discovered on YouTube, and this forum allowed emerging musicians to easily showcase their talent. But YouTube is now banned in Pakistan. This is an inexcusable offence”.

Pakistan seriously needs to focus on providing avenues for the country’s talent to surface and prosper, as there are still many ‘capable musicians with tremendous potential’ who are going unnoticed, Akbar said.

Bringing the night to a well-fitted end Akbar Ali enchanted us with his performance on Raga Charukeshi, a new entrant into Hindustani sangeet (a blend of Pakistani and North Indian music) borrowed from Carnatic.

Since the raga is new to our music, it does not have a rigidly established method of rendition and is subject to the individual interpretation of the singer. Akbar’s Charukeshi was pacifying, serene, and meditative. As I listened carefully, I felt a pleasant sense of joy and fulfilment. He followed the raga with an emotional thumri.

Listen to one of Akbar’s enthralling performances here: