Mahima Thombre

Renowned singer Javed Ali recently enthralled the audience in Pune with his soulful Sufi music concert. In this interview, Javed Ali shares insights into his musical journey, his thoughts on singing, and more. Excerpts from his conversation with Awaz-the Voice:

Due to the influence of Ustad Ghulam Ali Khan, you changed your name; beyond that, how did he impact your personality and singing?

Since childhood, I have immensely enjoyed listening to the ghazals of Ustad Ghulam Ali Khan. He has been my idol. When you are deeply influenced by someone, elements of their work inevitably reflect in yours; it must happen.

Therefore, when people say that there is a glimpse of Ghulam Ali Khan's singing in my voice, it makes me extremely happy. I have a somewhat natural 'first' in my voice, and I try to use it in some songs.

You inherited music from your family. Your father was also a singer. How was the environment at your home?

Although there was a musical environment at home, not everyone was necessarily interested in music. Having a sense of music and inherent knowledge of it is a divine gift. Only a few among millions receive this gift. I am grateful to have received it. All members of my family were in the performing arts, so there was always a musical atmosphere at home. I inherited the musical thought from my father. Since childhood, I have been inclined toward it. People often praised me while I performed with my father. Listening to the ghazals of Ustad Ghulam Ali Khan deeply influenced me, and I decided to pursue this field.

Moving from Delhi to Mumbai and starting from scratch to establish yourself in the Hindi film industry must have been challenging. What was your journey like?

This journey was full of challenges and difficulties. We were a middle-class family without much financial stability. Since childhood, I was accustomed to waiting patiently for things; nothing came easily my way. However, I always desired to change this situation for my parents. I turned towards the Hindi film industry. Through persistent struggle, I gradually established my identity as a playback singer.

You have sung in various styles like classical, ghazal, Sufi, and romantic. Which style do you enjoy the most?

In my opinion, to sing in all styles, you need inherent knowledge and a musical thought process. You cannot learn every aspect and every style. When I entered the Hindi film industry, I decided to attempt every style with full capacity. I did not limit myself to any single style. With the necessary mindset, I could sing in various styles and establish myself as a versatile singer.

Which song among those you have sung so far was the most challenging, and which gave you the most satisfaction?

There are many such songs, but the two most satisfying songs are 'Arziyan' and 'Jashn-E-Bahaara.' Besides these, 'Tu Jo Mila' and 'Kun Faya Kun' were also challenging. In the song 'Srivalli,' I did a unique experiment, which was also accepted by the audience, bringing me joy. However, every time I sing a song or perform in a concert, there is always a fear of whether people will like it or not. Hence, I treat every opportunity as my last chance and strive to sing with utmost honesty and full capacity.

You have judged many 'Reality Shows.' Nowadays, many singers see these shows as a quick path to fame and entry into the music industry. What would you say to aspiring singers?

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Many singers think that joining a reality show will make their journey easy. For those who aim to become playback singers or independent musicians, it can be beneficial. With the right goals and hard work, they can utilize this platform. However, those who come for only fame often lose out, as the fame gained from such shows is temporary. Once new singers arrive in the next season, people forget the previous ones. Hence, coming to a reality show to do something good rather than just seeking fame can be beneficial.