INFORMATION
Artist Birthday : | 12/03/1983 (Age 41) |
Born In : | Wazirabad, Punjab, Pakistan |
Occupation(s) : | Singer, Songwriter, Actor |
Genres : | Pop, Rock, Sufi, filmi |
Atif Aslam is a shining example of the old adage that music can remove boundaries. Atif has been the go-to romantic voice for an entire generation, and he continues to enthrall the audience with his impeccable style and unique singing style.
Atif was born on March 12, 1983, in Wazirabad, Pakistan. His education began at the Kimberley Hall School in Lahore, but in 1991, he moved to Rawalpindi to study at St. Paul’s Cambridge School. He moved back to Lahore in 1995 to study at the Divisional Public School, before completing his bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at PICS. It was during his college days that he met composer Goher Mumtaz and together they formed the popular band ‘Jal.’
The band recorded the hugely popular song “Aadat” with help from prominent Pakistani musician Salman Albert. The song went viral and was a raging hit in both Pakistan and India. The band soon began touring, but due to ongoing tensions between the duo, Atif broke off to begin a solo career while Mumtaz continued with the band.
In 2004, he released his first album Jal Pari, which became an instant hit and songs like “Bheegi Yaadein” became immensely popular in the subcontinent. Atif’s biggest break was when celebrated Indian director Mahesh Bhatt intended to use his song “Woh Lamhey” for the movie Zeher. The singer’s popularity grew by leaps and bounds as he released to more successful albums Doorie and Meri Kahani.
Both Jal Pari and Doorie won Best Album Lux Style Award in 2005 and 2007 respectively. “Aadat” also won him Indus Music Awards for Best Lyrics, Best Song, Best Composition, Best Playback Singer and Best Debut Singer in 2005. He was nominated for Best Male Playback Singer five times in Filmfare and three times at IIFA.
The government of Pakistan has also bestowed upon him the ‘Tamgha-i-Imtiaz,’ the fourth highest civilian award in the country.
Some of his most popular Indian movie songs include “Tere Bin,” “Piya O Re Piya,” “Beintehaan,” “Pehli Nazar Mein” and more. He made his acting debut in 2011 Pakistani movie Bol in which he sang very popular songs like “Hona tha Pyar.”
Most popular song till date is “Tajdar-e-Haram.” Aslam’s version of the Sabri Brothers’ qawwali, was released as a part of Coke Studio Season 8. It quickly crossed 100 million views on YouTube, becoming the first Pakistani video to achieve the landmark.
Aslam married Sara Bharwana in Lahore in 2013 and has a son with the educationist wife.