Pakistani
veteran singer Shazia Manzoor talks to Daily Times about her current projects,
her music experience with upcoming movie 'Ishq Khuda', and how Pakistani
artists should actively work in their home country more.
Q. Tell us
a little about the music of 'Ishq Khuda'.
A. As the title suggests, most tracks have a Sufi element to
them. Most importantly, the songs are not just classical and commercial but
situational as well. You see, a good script makes room for good situational
songs. That's what the film's music is about. The songs are composed by Wajahat
Attre and the lyrics are penned by Riazur Rehman Saghar.
Q. Why did
you take a 12-year gap from music?
A. It was just the circumstances. Hardly any good movies were
being released, plus I was busy with my own music albums, 'Ishq Sona', 'Tu
Badal Gaya' and 'Balle Balle', all which were released internationally. That
took up most of my time. But, nevertheless, I'm happy now with my current music
projects, especially lending my voice for 'Ishq Khuda' music.
Q. What
genre of music are you most comfortable in?
A. Playback singing is something in which you can't be picky
and choosy about genres. Had that been the case, for romantic songs we would
have had other singers, for fast tracks, there would have been others. You have
just got to be versatile and seasoned in your attitude towards music.
Q. Tell us
about your inspirations and musicians you look up to.
A. Oh many! From Whitney Houston to Lata Mangeshkar. From
Mariah Carey to Mehdi Hassan. From Noor Jehan to Mehnaz Begum. I'm just crazy
about music. Mehnaz had the most beautiful voice I had ever heard. There has
never been anyone like her.
Q. Would
you collaborate with foreign artists if given a choice?
A. Why not? I have, in fact, worked with Kailash Kher,
Sukhshinder Shinda and Balli Jabpal in the recent past. It's always a joy
working with foreign artists. A true artist loves experimenting. I'm also
working with an American singer 'Doll' on an album.
Q. Did you
compose any songs for 'Ishq Khuda' other than singing for it?
A. Actually no. The songs themselves were so well-written and
amazingly composed, I was more than honoured to just lend my voice. You see
I've worked with Shehzad Rafique in his last projects as well, so I know how
beautifully composed music his films offer.
Q. In that
case, which is your favourite song of 'Ishq Khuda'?
A. I have two favourites. 'Din Langda Nahin' and 'Pul Pul
Janda'. People would just fall in love with these songs. The background score
of 'Ishq Khuda' itself is just mind-blowing. You can say music is at its best
in 'Ishq Khuda', with stupendous picturisation.
Q. What's
next for you?
A. As I mentioned earlier, I'm collaborating with an American
singer on an album. I'm really looking forward to that as it's going to be
something exclusive, I just know. Also, I'm working on the music of a new drama
serial 'Annie Ki Aaegi Baraat'. It's music album would be launched by the name
of 'Baraati Song'. Next up is my world tour starting from June this year. I'm
really excited for all this.
Q. We wish
you all the best for that. Please tell us what's music for you?
A. Thank you. Well, for me, music is something that I cherish
and hold dear more than life itself. I can't live without it.
Q. Comment
a little on the current music scenario of Pakistan.
A. Pakistani artists are making some tremendous and beautiful
music. However, the sad thing is that most of them are working anywhere but
here. No doubt they are international artists now; Ali Zafar, Rahat Fateh Ali
Khan, Annie to name a few. But why not work actively in Pakistan? There seems
to be hardly any music situation here.
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