Atif!!

Atif Aslam has come a long way since his "Jalpari" days. He rules the musical scene in Pakistan and I saw some days back that his latest offering "Doorie" had been the top album on countdowns everywhere in India for some 25 weeks or so.People flock to his concerts. And what a live performance he gives. From Adnan Sami’s "Bheegi Raatein" to Kishore Kumar’s "Pyar Deewan Hota Hai" he gives them more than their money’s worth. Not to mention even after three years may have passed he still mesmerizes by singing "Aadat" for the millionth time.Currently his upcoming album "Hungami Haalat" has been controversially leaked. And those who have downloaded better sounding versions realize that it too will be another blockbuster.Many of his contemporaries like Ali Zafar are unable to match his popularity and talent. Even accomplished and critically acclaimed artists like Mekal Hassan, Abrar Ul Haq, Noori etc currently seem like a B-grade act in front of him.But the question is why and how?Atif Aslam has a rare and unique voice but surely not the most melodious one.His musical compostion is very raw as well and seems aimless in some of his songs.And sometimes he sounds like a broken loud speaker.Plus, critics accuse him of over doing his "Alaaps" (Aaaaa-aaa-hoooo...)Even with all this he is at the moment the king of the mountain. ....The answer to that is pain and depression.Surprised? You shouldn’t be.Had Atif Aslam sung in the 90s he would not have lasted long. But as the the new millennium came and stress levels and depressions started reaching an all time high, the taste in music also underwent a change.Be it "Aadat", "Lamhay", "Tere Bin", "Kuch is Tarah" ...(even some potential hits from his leaked album) all of his blockbuster songs have been sad songs which make people remember pain, lost love, anguish, injustice from their past, present and even the suffering they will possibly e going through in the future.As long as pain and depression will remain, Atif Aslam will rule the roost and no matter how peppy Ali Zafar & Co. get, they will not be able to mathc him as the masses suffer from despondence.

Usman Nadeem