Voice of reason

Mona

Javed Ali learnt to value music as soon he learnt to eat and drink on his own. When his father practised music, the five-year-old Javed would sit next to him, forgetting to play. 

After an extensive training, he found himself in Mumbai where he has been living for last decade-and-a-half (almost half his life), singing for films. You heard him in Tu Jo Mila in Bajrangi Bhaijaan and some select audience had a chance to hear his soulful Sufi numbers, some retro, some Bollywood on Tuesday night in Chandigarh.

Early Wednesday morning, Javed before catching a flight back to Mumbai, opened up on his incredible journey over breakfast.

Head start 

I grasped music early in life. By God’s grace I belong to a musical family and accompanied my father on his performances, saw him practice and often chose to sit with him than play with kids my age. It was early on when my family decided, ‘Javed ko music sikhana chahiye’. My early influences came from the ghazals by Ghulam Ali Khan. I listened to Lata Ji, Rafi Saheb, Bade Ghulam Ali Khan and Barkat Ali khan Saheb.

Soulful connection 

Sufi is a thought that connects one to God. When I sing Sufi everything else obliterates into nothingness and I can feel that bond with the higher self. And I consider myself fortunate if I am able to pass on that experience to my listeners. Last evening was one such night, such wonderful audience who only enhanced my experience. It was a welcome break from Bollywood when I could sing Sufi and retro and thumri, a mix masala, so to say.

Technology vs talent

The music industry has undergone immense change ever since I called it home. There is so much advancement that if your voice texture is good and you can’t even sing in ‘sur’, one can put that right with the help of technology. Everybody is singing, there is work for everyone. I am happy about that. Recordings apart, the real test of the singer is when he goes live. It’s like an arrow shot, that’s when one realises the true worth of a vocalist. I am friends with most in my field and enjoy their way of working. However, I enjoy making music with the composers who let me be.

Khan controversy

The surname ‘Khan’ has never come in my way of working. On the contrary, we have got all and more that we could expect from our country. Everyone sees it, knows it, realises it and values it. I don’t see the need to harp on it every now and then. What Aamir Khan said, I might not be the best person to comment on. He is a celebrity. But let’s admit that sometimes everyone ends up giving statements and one bears the burnt of it. I don’t think he feels  it from heart. 

What next?

It’s just the beginning. There is so much more I want to do. Do my kind of ghazals, try more genres — semi-classical and others. My efforts are on. And, on this journey, I expect my fans, my well-wishers to show me the path. Their feedbacks on what I do keep me on the right path. They say, "Zabaan-e-khalq ko naqqaara-e-khuda samjho (voice of people is the voice of the God). And, it’s their love and blessings that I have got in bounty and hope to keep getting!

mona@tribunemail.com