Atif Aslam (Urdu: عاطف اسلم), born Mohammad Atif Aslam; 12 March 1983 in Wazirabad, Pakistan) is a Pakistani pop singer. He is widely recognized in South Asia and has given several hit songs such as Aadat, Woh Lamhe, Tere Bin, Pehli Nazar Mein, Tera Hone Laga Hoon, Tu Jaane Na, Tere Liye, Meri Kahani and Jalpari. He is best known for his powerful vocal belting technique. In 2008, he was awarded the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz by the Government of Pakistan.
Early life and education
Atif Aslam was born in 1983 in Wazirabad, Pakistan. His kindergarten started in Model town, Lahore at Kimberley Hall School, where he studied from grade one to three. His first stage performance was in a fancy dress show at his school when he was in first grade, where he performed as Imran Khan (former captain of the Pakistani Cricket Team). Since then cricket was a passion for him. At that time he did not listen to any particular kind of songs.
At the age of 9, he moved to Rawalpindi and studied at Saint Paul's Cambridge School from grade four to eight. He came back to Lahore in 1995 where he continued his studies in Divisional Public School, Model Town, Lahore. He was selected in his school cricket team as a bowler. He cleared his tenth grade at the age of 14 with a distinctive edge of always being the youngest boy in the class because of his double promotions. During that period he put his best efforts into becoming a professional cricketer.[citation needed] He passed out of Divisional Public School after completing his matriculation.
He further continued his education at PAF College, Lahore where he completed his F.Sc (Pre-engineering) with the class of 2001. He used to be the main attack bowler of his college cricket team and represented his college in various other cities and ultimately got selected in under 19 National cricket team of Pakistan. He won his first singing competition on Independence Day celebrations in the college. He then went to the University of Central Punjab and completed his Bachelors in Computer Science.[1]
Music career
Jal
He used to sing at the college canteen when his friends urged him to participate in the singing competition on Independence Day celebrations at PAF College Lahore in 1998. He performed there and won the competition. Thereafter, he also won several other college competitions.
He met Goher- a guitarist who became his future Jal band-mate, at his college. Together they practiced and started doing mini-concerts for their friends. Atif used to perform on the songs of Junoon and Strings at these concerts. They started performing in their college, McDonalds, Uncle Bubba's Rabba Dabba and other restaurants. Thus began the original line up of Jal.
Jal recorded their first song Aadat at Mekal Hassan's Studio. The song became popular on different musical websites in Pakistan and was also aired on major radio stations of Pakistan like City FM 89, FM 100, Mast FM 103, FM 105 etc. The video for this song was released on ARY Digital and The Musik and then it was played on almost all the channels.
Solo career
After leaving Jal due to personal differences, Atif released his first solo album, Jal Pari on 19 July 2004, under Sound Master and IC records. Its promoters declared it to be the best selling album of that year within just 5 months of its release.[2] Besides his native country, he also became popular in India and his career took off to fame in both the countries. In the meantime he also cleared his Bachelors in Computer Science (Hons.) from the University of Central Punjab. His second album, Doorie was released on 22 December 2006.
His first major concert was at Al Hamra Hall, Mall Road Lahore where he performed during the break of a stage drama Moulin Rouge. On 14 April 2007, Atif performed in Royal Albert Hall. His first international concert was at W. StarDreamz Entertainment Group during his tour of USA and Canada with RDB and Annie.
Bollywood
Atif has also sung many songs for Bollywood films, like Pehli Nazar Mein in Race, Bakuda Tum Hi Ho in Kismat Konnection, Tera Hone Laga Hoon and Tu Jaane Na in Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, both of which have been well-received by the Indian audience.
His last Indian venture was Prince in which he sang four songs, Tere Liye, Aa Bhi Ja Sanam, Kaun Hoon Main and O Mere Khuda. The songs were composed by musician Sachin Gupta.