RIZWAN Wali Mohammad, settled in Los Angeles, is well-known among Pakistanis and Indians, living in the US and Canada, for his outstanding singing abilities.

Son of, Habib Wali Mohammad, Rizwan has inherited his father’s singing style and mostly sings the latter’s songs. Who will forget Habib Wali’s film hits like ‘Aaj janey ki zid na karo’ and ‘Ratein theen chandni, joban pe thee bahar’.

Raaz Allahabadi’s ghazal ‘Aashiyan jal gaya’ was made so famous by Habib Wali that EMI Pakistan had acknowledged it by presenting him with Golden Disk on launching the first long-play record in stereo titled ‘Unforgettable songs by Habib Wali Mohammad.’

This ghazal had scored the highest sale of any record in Pakistan up to 1972.

Rizwan remained under the tutelage of his father since childhood. He is a mirror reflection of his father inheriting the vocal talent that Habib Wali was most known for. Unlike the modern-day singers, Rizwan possesses a voice with strong base, which he fully exploits to the delight of his audience.

On March 23 last, i.e. Pakistan Day, he was invited to perform at the residence of Pakistan’s Consul-General in Beverly Hills, California, where he was awarded a certificate for best performance.

Rizwan had last visited Karachi in November last and gave solo performances at two of the prestigious clubs and lastly at a private gathering. Most of the people interested in music in Pakistan have a craze for old film songs and Rizwan brings that nostalgia to his listeners.

Qaisra Rahim

Karachi.

Published in Dawn, April 15th, 2016