Celebrate romance with Javed Ali

CELEBRATE romance in a unique way as the Daily News, in association with ZEE TV and AA Events, presents the Celebrate Bollywood Romance Concert with Javed Ali.

Born Javed Hussain, he is the son of Hamid Hussain, a popular qawwali singer.

Javed’s talent was evident as a child: when he was five years old, ghazal legend Ghulam Ali heard his voice and felt he could become a great singer.

The maestro not only guided him, but also gave him a chance to perform. Javed then changed his name to Javed Ali.

“I am a student of Ghulam Ali, who was like my guru. I changed my name in his honour,” he said.

Besides working with Ghulam, Javed accompanied his father whenever he performed on stage. Javed has gone full circle, from singing chart-busters for leading actors such as Amitabh Bachan, Hrithik Roshan and Shahrukh Khan to judging the TV show ZEE TV Lil Champ and anchoring ZEE TV’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa.

He shot to fame in 2007 with the song Ek Din Teri Raahon Mein from the film Naqaab, and won an award for best male playback singer for Jashne Bahara Hai and a Colors Screen Award for Ishaqzaade.

Today he is one of the leading playback singers in Hindi and Tamil, juggling time between his singing assignments, TV shows and international concerts.

You can catch Javed on stage at the Daily News Celebrate Bollywood Romance Concert on March 24 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC) in Durban.

Commenting on how it felt to be returning to Durban, Javed said: “Durban showered me with so much love the first time I came to perform. The sold-out crowd was amazing at the ICC, although I was relatively new at that time, with few hits.

“I can’t wait to perform my recent Sufi numbers, Maula Maula from Delhi 6, and Kun Faya Kun from Rockstar, which has been appreciated, and my romantic songs from Jab Tak Hai Jaan – Ishaqzaade, Tum Mile and Raaz 3.

“I hope they prepared for a journey of emotional performances of Sufi, romantic, qawwali, and masti songs and ghazals. When you hear a romantic song, the feeling is incomparable. I feel it’s important to render all kinds of songs. I’ve sung Kajrare and Tinku jia, Nagada Nagada from Jab We Met and all have been hugely popular.”

Javed considers the turning point in his career to have come with Ek Din Teri Raahon Mein (Naqaab).

“People sat up and took note. After that, Rahman saab kept coming. He had confidence in me. Working with Rahman saab is like a dream. In fact, it doesn’t even feel like work. It’s like you are engrossed in something you are passionate about. He also gives you freedom within the framework of a film song, which comes with many restraints. He encourages input from a singer.”

So, has it all been smooth sailing for the popular singer?

“In this industry, your work speaks like nothing else. In the beginning, many composers didn’t have confidence in me. It’s not their fault. It only comes after you’ve delivered your first hit. The luck factor is important. That doesn’t mean, however, that you sit back thinking, ‘This is where my fate will take me, I’ve worked hard and can see Lady Luck smiling on me’.”

Javed’s belief is that music is a blessing. He is inspired by Ghulam, and the poetic expression of the beauty of love and its loss.

His songs have enchanted Bollywood moviegoers for more than a decade and now you can be romanced by Javed on March 23 at Emperors Palace’s Centre Court and March 24 at ICC Durban.

Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000; AA Bollywood Stores, Overport: 031 207 4504; uMhlanga: 031 584 6160; Reservoir Hills: 031 262 4534; Razina Laudium: 082 638 7866 or send an e-mail to sales@aaevents.co.za

WIN! WIN! WIN!

The Daily News and AA Events have 10 double tickets to the Javed Ali Concert to give away. To win SMS “Javed DN” and your name to 33963 before 9am tomorrow. SMSes cost R1.50 and winners will be contacted by phone.

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