A young boy was born in 1954 in what is now Bangladesh. At the age of around 15, he moved to Karachi in search of a future in the music industry. He had brought nothing else with him but a guitar and a passion to sing. He settled in the PECHS area of Karachi and started singing in the evenings at a small cafe called “Cafe D Khan” on Tariq Road. He would not get paid for his gig, but did get a free meal each day. For an aspiring musician, just a free meal and an attentive audience was worth the effort.
And that is how a legend emerged. Who among us has not heard of Alamgir? From that small dimly lit cafe he got introduced to Khushbakhat Shujaat from the Karachi TV station and then to Sohail Rana, the music maestro who made careers for so many people. His guitar skills and rendition of a famous spanish song “Guanatanamera“, altered to be “Albela Rahi“ in Urdu landed him a spot on TV, and from there on he never looked back. In his own words he kept singing because it was his passion, and mesmerisingly watched himself become a superstar right before his own eyes.
Alamgir was the King of Pakistan Pop Music until mid 90’s, and then, he disappeared. Yes, nobody has known for the past decade or so where Alamgir went. The guy who was ubiquitous on TV, who sang popular songs on TV and film, and who had one super hit after another, from “Dekha Na Thaa“ to “Yeh Shaam Aur Tera Naam“, “Neeley Neeley Amber per”, “Cococorina“, “Mainey Tumharee Gagar Sey“ and “Maaon Kee Dua“ just left his fans hanging and disappeared from the scene.
But this weekend I had a chance to meet Alamgir in person in Boston and listen to his songs again. Backstage I asked him about his story and it was intriguing. But before that, let me tell you how inspired I felt meeting someone so simple and down to earth. He has been on top of the world once, and yet he only speaks about his life long passion for music and singing. He has received numerous awards in absentia, but his biggest disappointment has been leaving his fans behind and not taking the time to tell them what he was going through.
Alamgir had become a star from the age of 15 and 25+ years of stardom took its toll on him. The hectic schedule, and pressure of moving from show to show, music studios to film recordings, and then to TV performances, simply sapped the energy out of him. He turned 40 and realized he had given so much to his fans, to his country, but had had not set aside any time for himself. That is when he moved to the USA and settled here, trying to find some space for his own life and family.
For the past 10-12 years he has been in the USA, shying away from public spotlight in Pakistan. But his passion for music continues. He has built a studio at home where sings and rehearses every day, he still performs on the weekends at small events around the US cities, and to his fans like myself, his voice still sounds the same as it did back in the 80’s and 90’s in Pakistan.
This weekend when he got on stage he did not have flashy clothes on, neither did his performance stage have glittering lights or a large band of musicians – but his energy was infectious. He danced around, making even people in their mid-60’s move their arms around to join his rhythm. As for me, I was probably singing louder than he was. It was fabulous singing the classics I grew up with.
Alamgir is known to have composed and sung over 400 songs in 20+ languages. Besides Urdu, his songs in Bengali are also well known to his fans in both Pakistan and Bangladesh. Since the 1970’s, and we are talking of the days before Nazia and Zoheb Hassan, Vital Signs, Junoon etc, he was the heart throb of the young generation. He brought Elvis like energy to his live and TV performances and brought the audience on its feet. I still remember an uncle trying to imitate him on “Dekha Na Thaa” at a family party, and I wonder how many of us have participated in, or at least witnessed, mehndi functions with Dandia dancing to the tune of “Mainey Tumharee Gagar Sey“.
Alamgir went back to Pakistan last year after more than 10 years. He was invited to TMA ceremony where he received the Lifetime Achievement Award. He sang, and he sang like never before. In his own words he was overwhelmed by emotions, by the love he saw his fans still had for him, and how much they wanted him back. Well, he told me he does plan to go back now for a few months, release 1 or 2 new videos, and give a proper good bye to his fans. Until then, he sends his hello from Atlanta, Georgia where he is now settled with his wife and son.
Below, I am attaching links to a few videos that show the versatility of his talent.
The following is a song from Pakistani movie Jageer. The song is “Hum Chalay to Hamarey“:
The next video is that of Alamgir performing “Maoon Ki Dua” on PTV:
And finally, watch one of Alamgir’s recent performances in the US singing Mehndi Hasan’s “Gulon mein rang bharey“:
The younger generation now cant even imagine how alamgir came as a wave of fresh air in those days. He really was impressive and had that special thing in his voice.
Lets see how many of us can list some of his outstanding melodies: Here’s my attempt.
– Shaam se pehle aana
– Soona Soona jeewan apna
– Dil ke sub raaste, tere hi waaste
– Woh mera kya hae maen us ka kya hun
– Tum meri aankhen ho, maen khwaab jaisa hun
– Gae dino ki musaafaton ko……..Khayal Rakhna
– Kabhi tum idher se guzar ke dekho
– Maano mera kehna
Amazing songs.
Nice post. Thanks for an update on Almgir. Alamgir was an icon of music in Pakistan during 80’s. My favourite song of Alamgir is “Kabhi tum idhar sey guzar kay tou dekho, in ankhoon say dil mein utar kay tou dekho”. I think this is one of the less remembered gem by Alamgir.
I think that it was Alamgir who brought the real pop revolution to Pakistani Music Industry. His singing, his movements and his style was very unique and in those times he looked like the Elvis of Pakistan.
Besides pop songs, Alamgir has sung some of the best national songs “Milli Taranas”. I was and still am a big fan of him and will continue to enjoy his music. The younger generation of today might not have a good idea about Alamgir’s music as todays stars like Atif Aslam, Ali Zafer etc are popular among them but for those like me, who were growing up in 80’s, like and understand Alamgir’s music better.
Unfortunately Alamgir’s was a part of an era where the downfall of Pakistan’s film industry had started, therefore, he could not play an active role in film music. However, Robin Gosh took confidence in him and songs of film “Aiena” were a huge huge success.
Alamgir has a very special place in Pakistan’s music and will always be remembered with fond memories.
“Hum chalay” and “Dekha Na Tha” are my Alamgir favourites. He has made tremendous contributions to Pakistani music. So, I hate to nitpick but, imo, it’s a stretch to say that he was a superstar much less THE superstar by the mid 90s. I think VS, Ali Haider, Sajjad Ali, Junoon, Najam had firmly taken over the youth’s imagination by that time.
Either way, it’s good to hear about him and a little sad that he doesn’t intend on making a return to music. At the TMA, he said that he will come back and do music with the new generation like Immu, Shallum etc. But I guess he’s binned that idea.
Thanks for all the music, Alamgir. You will always be remembered.