He arrived in Abu Dhabi to work as a delivery man but less than a year later has made his debut as a singer on the first Indian TV serial to be shot entirely in the UAE.
Aejaz Ahmed, a 27-year-old Pakistani who moved country to seek a better livelihood, is the voice behind the Sufi version of Parwaaz's title track.
The series, which began broadcasting on Saturday on Zee TV, tells the rags-to-riches story of two friends who come to Dubai looking for a better life — one from India and one from Pakistan.
“This is a story of dreams, perseverance and success,” says Manoj Mathew, Zee TV’s chief content and creative officer. “And the best part is that there are aspects of this production which reflect in real life.”
Just as is the case with the lead characters in the series, Ahmed had humble origins. After graduating with a degree in economics from Azad Kashmir Open University in Pakistan, he moved to Islamabad and eventually the UAE in search of a job. Early this year, he joined a small Abu Dhabi cafeteria — he won’t reveal which one — as a deliveryman.
It was by chance that he happened to hear a radio announcement about Smart Idol, the annual singing competition organised by the SmartLife Foundation.
The Dubai-based NGO works with blue-collar workers in the city, giving them a chance to compete with each other for the title of best performer.
At the Parwaaz launch on Saturday, Ahmed delivered a live performance to a full house in the Tresind restaurant at Radisson Royal Hotel in Dubai. Visibly pleased, yet bashful after the standing ovation, Ahmed recounted his story in Urdu.
"I went and auditioned for Smart Idol," he says. "I was successful and moved on to the next round, and then the semi-finals, and then the finals. Before you know it, I won."
That was in March. Rohit Gupta from Raaga Factory, a group of Dubai-based musicians, spotted him and brought him on board.
Ahmed has since given two public performances with Raaga Factory and, in August, gave up his job at the cafeteria to pursue his passion for singing. At a recent Raaga Factory performance at the Dubai Marina Mall, he was spotted by Zee TV’s Mathew.
“When Manoj told me the story, and said that they want me to sing the Sufi version of the title track, I was so happy, I couldn’t believe it!” says Ahmed. “I mean, look at where I come from and what I am being offered now.”
The singer, who had never set foot in a studio, let alone recorded a song, got a last-minute call about his first day on the job from the show’s music composer Atif Ali.
"Atif [Ali — the music composer of Parwaaz] called me one day and said we need to start recording in one hour. I listened to the original track for the first time on my way to the studio; we recorded it and it turned out great."
Ahmed’s family, who live back in a region of Kashmir that is administrated by Pakistan, has no idea about how big his career is about to become.
“I come from Azad Kashmir (administrative territory under Pakistan), where no one really understands the concept of a career in music,” explains Ahmed.
“We don’t even have musicians in the family,” he says. “As a child, I would take part in musical competitions and win. My family has a vague idea about my new singing career, but its not a huge deal for them. They haven’t even heard the song yet.”
Ahmed lists India’s Sonu Nigam and Pakistan’s Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Shafqat Amanat Ali as his inspiration.
"I haven't had any formal training in singing," he says. "I just listen to my favourite singers and try to follow them. Let's see where the future takes me. A person cannot fly alone. You need the support of others. After giving me this break with Parwaaz, Zee TV has promised to take me to Sa Re Ga Ma."
Sa Re Ga Ma is an Indian reality TV show, which, since its debut in 1995, has been hosted by famous singers including Nigam, Shaan and Purab Kohli. Its biggest success story is the 2000-edition winner Shreya Ghoshal who is now one of Bollywood’s most popular playback vocalists.
“Ahmed is an unsung hero with an immense passion for singing,” says Mathew. “This is his first, original paid recorded single. At Zee TV, we have played a small part. Now we need the world to know what an amazing talent we have here in Abu Dhabi.”
artslife@thenational.ae
