Asad Amanat Ali Khan

 Asad Amanat Ali Khan (25 September 1955 – 8 April 2007) was a popular classical,semi-classical and ghazal singer from Pakistan. Hailing from famous Patiala Gharana, Asad was son of famous musician Ustad Amanat Ali Khan. Asad Amanat Ali Khan died relatively young of a heart attack on 8 April 2007 in London.

Early life and background

Asad Amanat Ali Khan was born in Lahore, Dominion of Pakistan. His great-grandfather, Ali Baksh Khan, was the founder of thePatiala Gharana. His grandfather, Akhtar Hussain, was a prominent musician of his time who added to his repute by coaching two of his sons into becoming a formidable singing duo(Amanat Ali Khan and Fateh Ali Khan). Amanat Ali Khan, Asad's father, died in 1974. Asad's younger brother Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan is a popular pop and classical singer he was the lead singer of band Fuzön.

Singing career

When he was 10 years old Asad recorded his first song, which featured on his grandfather’s debut album. He had also been interested in academics and often said if not a singer, he would love to be a pilot. He joined a private institution however and began singing professionally after completing his F.A. He started his musical career performing "Thumri" and then went on to record some of his most popular Punjabi numbers and Ghazals, such as "Umra Lagian", "Zara Zara", "Kal Chaudwin Ki Raat", and "Ghar Wapas Jab". One of the songs that featured in almost every concert he performed, arguably his biggest hit, was "Insha Ji Utho" (Originally sung by his father).

Asad worked for Pakistan Television for several years. Nisar Bazmi, composer and PTV producer, who died one week before him, gave him his first break, introducing the artist to the world on live television. He retained his affiliation with television through the years, recording over 1,000 songs. Asad also contributed to the Pakistani film industry, featuring on a number of soundtracks. Moreover, he caught the attention of neighbouring Bollywood and contributed to soundtracks there too.

Asad also sang as a member of singing duo with his uncle Hamid Ali Khan. Asad owed much of his early recognition to his late father's famous numbers. Quite often his concert would round off with "Insha'a Jee utho, abb cooch karo" (Get up O Insha! It's time to leave the world)—[Ibn -e-Insha wrote this song. I am from Pakistan and I know.) who wrote it, a song that finds another ironic reference in Asad's death., Amanat Ali and Asad Amanat who sang it—both died relatively young. Other than music and the family name, Asad inherited from his father a passion to act in films. But the affair was cut short after an unsuccessful attempt.

Asad Amanat Ali was also famed for his "soz-o-salam" recitations in Urdu describing the events of Karbala during Ashura in Muharram, and appeared on many radio and television specials about Karbala over the years before his death.

Awards

Like his father, Asad was given the president’s award for Pride of Performance. The government of Pakistan acknowledged Asad Amanat Ali Khan’s immense contribution to Pakistani music by awarding him the Pride of Performance on 23 March 2007 (2 weeks before his death).

Discography

Some of his superhit songs are listed below.

• Awaz Who Jado sa (Saheli)
• Insha Ji Utho (Originally sung by his father)
• Ghar Wapis Jub ao gai tum
• Umraan langiyaan pabbaan paahr
• Pyaar Nahii Hai Sur Se Jisko
• Abhi Kalion Mein
• Diyaar Yaar Geya
• Doob Gai Sub
• Ghum Tera Hum Ne
• Jo Bhi Dil Ki
• Kal Chowdhwein Ki Raat
• Zara zara dil meiN dard huaa
• Apne haathoN kii lakiiroN meiN
• Piya dekhan ko tarseiN morey
• Kisi aur gham meiN itni khalish-e-nihaN nahiN hai (lyrics: Mustafa Zaidi)
• Ek lamha-e-wisal tha wapas na aa saka (Poet: Raees Warsi)
• Youn bhi tou raas rooh ko tanhai aa gaaee (Poet: Raees Warsi)

Death

He had visited London in January and was receiving treatment for a condition known as Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. He returned to Pakistan however during his treatment to receive the President's award of Pride of Performance. After receiving the award he had left Pakistan on 3 April 2007 for medical consultation, and while in England, on 8 April 2007 died in Cassiobury Park in London whilst enjoying an outing with the family. He had fallen to the ground and many attempts were made to revive him however, he had died instantaneously. His medical tests were scheduled for the following week but he never got a chance to continue his treatment. His body was brought back to his home country Pakistan for the burial. He was buried in Mominpura Graveyard Lahore.

MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE

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