‘Sufi music praised for its healing effects’

By Hina Farooq

LAHORE: Sufi music is popular all over the world for its healing touch, playback singer Kashif Raja says.

Raja, who has recently performed with some Bollywood singers, said the poetry of Bulleh Shah, Shah Hussain, Baba Fareed, Mian Muhammad Buksh and Waris Shah had been translated into many languages and was read all over the world.

Raja has been settled in the United Kingdom. He said there was a limited circle of the classical music lovers because governments had done nothing for its promotion.

He said classical singers visited studios and TV stations but nobody took notice of them. “Some classical singers get an opportunity once a while to perform on TV or radio on the recommendation of a bureaucrat,” he added.

Raja said that he had visited India on an invitation by violinist Uttam Singh who had recently composed the music for films Taj Mahal and Dil toe Pagal Hai.

“I sang a song Sari Sari Raat Teri Yaad Satawe and Uttam Singh composed the music for it,” he added.

He said that working with Adnan Sami Khan, Piyarelal and Ulka Yagnik had been his dream. He said the Indian music industry had been flourishing because of new talent.

“The Pakistani film industry will crumble, if some revolutionary measures are not taken to protect it,” he added.

He said that Indian people and artists were very cooperative. He said the exchange of cultural programmes between Pakistan and India could promote peace in South Asia.

He said that he had been hosting a programme in London in which interviews of renowned artistes were recorded.

Home | National