‘Pune’s audience has a refined taste in music’

PUNE: He started his career with singing ad jingles and title tracks of television serials. Today, he boasts of hits like ‘Jashn-E-Bahaaraan’ from ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ (2008), ‘Kajrare’ from ‘Bunty Aur Babli’ (2004), ‘Ek Din Teri Rahon Mein’ from ‘Naqaab’ (2007) and ‘Tu Muskura’ from ‘Yuvvraaj’ (2008). He has a deep, rich and mellifluous voice. He is Javed Ali.
Javed will be giving his maiden performance in the city on Friday as part of the Times Pune Festival. “I am aware that Pune’s audience has a refined taste when it comes to music and I’m very excited about performing in the city. I will do my best to entertain Puneites with my songs,” he says.
Initially, he trained under his father, popular qawwali singer Ustad Hamid Hussain, and aspired to become a ghazal singer. “Ustad Ghulam Ali has been a huge influence and has guided me constantly. In fact, it was he who suggested I change my stage name to Javed Ali from Javed Hussain. As I grew older, I realised that I could be versatile. I decided to try out a variety of singing styles by becoming a playback singer. Mohammad Rafiji, too, has inspired me immensely,” says Javed.
With a creditable body of work with songs rendered for Hindi, Bengali, Tamil and Telugu films, Javed is much sought-after by gifted and established composers. “My confidence has certainly surged, but I’m not very choosy when it comes to songs. I know that composers know my voice type and what songs will suit me. I have been able to mould my voice according to the nature of the song given to me, be it rock, pop or jazz,” Javed says.
Playback singing in the film industries, Hindi and regional, is very competitive but talented individuals like Javed are getting their due share of recognition. “This is possible as I see quite a bit of openmindedness among the professionals in the industry. Composers are willing to take the risk with upcoming singers. A lot of experimentation is happening in the film industry and the results we show are entirely merit-oriented,” he adds.
Javed has also done shows and world tours with his band Javed Ali Group. “We’ve been active for the last five years and have done around 300 shows across India and other parts of the world.” This year, he is doing playback for films by Yash Raj Productions, the Bhatt camp as well as other big names in the industry.
Right now, his hands are full with another project. “I’m planning to cut an album of my own very soon. It’s still in the concept stage. I want to do it, since an album will allow me to further strengthen my identity as a singer,” Javed signs off.
TODAY
CULTURE CURRY Javed Ali (Bollywood) Shaniwarwada 7 pm (Complimentary invites available on a first-come-first-serve basis at The Times of India office, Fergusson College Road, between 10 am and 5 pm)
COOKING FIESTA Harajuku, O Hotel 4 pm to 6 pm (To register for free cooking classes, call 30112321)