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"All set to release her first ever album, Humaira
Channa looks equally ambitious new project taken up for mother and child health
care"
Has she shied away from showbiz is she coming with something new to take the by
surprise. But whatever it is people whatever it starved for entertainment,
irksome by watch Channels, desire to listen some melodious music from their
electronic media.
In the gap of more than a decade many singers have popped up yet hardly a
handful have been success( the music scene. While the audience love for serious
listening remains insatiate. In doing so they t songs of Madam Noor Jehan,
Nayyara Noor and Mehnaz, they still long more from the likes of Humaira and Tina
Sani.
After the demise of many of our music maestros, the scene is devoid of the very
best of voices. In playback singing in Shamim Ara's Kaun Baney Ga Carorpati,
Sangeeta's Sar Uta Kar Jyeeo, Humaira been giving much time to television.
When asked about her absence, she surprises us by an offer of music show, which
she is seriously thinking to take up. She asks us for our suggestion and we
gleeful consent.
Though she has been doing a lot of work behind scenes, people want to see her
singing some hot nr front of the camera. Graduated from a classical background
under the guidance of Ustad Bashir Ahmad and Nisar Bazmi, Humaira Channa is one
of the few who can sing the most difficult of songs.
with untie Recently Reema asked her to sing a pure classical song for her
special Kathak performance in America Main Tak Ghitak To Tadieg Dieg along with
the beat, demands nothing short of a sound classical.
Since her appearance in 1988 PTV Silver Jubilee and her timeless numbers Asan
Jan Ke Meeth Lai Teray Chareye Da Kala Kai Til Way, people can't seem to forget
her. Much to the demand of listener to do a remix of the same
Seeing the present trend, we asked her where are we heading. "Through our
classical music we have reached a height where the Western musicians are turning
to now while we go on to follow their trend enough we will realize the
difference in both", she says with an air of optimism.
Whether singing solos or duets for films, she along with Shaz'ia Manzoor,
emerges as the only one maximum number of hit songs to her credit. While the
latter has two of her albums, Humaira could much time to album details but now
with her brother being involved in composing and direction, she launch one.
Dressed up casually in a blue Shalwar Kameez, a dab of lipstick and a liner,
looking charming comfortably for the interview. For a singer like her this is
what we least expected of.
As we sent on it she obliged to answer whatever was asked of her in what was
more of a conversation than an interview asked for opinions on how would people
like to see her,
everyone present there agreed that she shot her sober image but definitely
insisted on more of her presence on television shows from where she successful
singing career.
Besides singing she clearly looked ambitious about something else a new project
she had recently as she poured out more details about it, we were confirmed more
than ever that this singer had a ca serve.
What inspired her to setup a mother and childcare hospital in the rural areas of
Haloki came question. Is it a catching trend and a way to win hearts? Nothing of
the sort. She feels deeply for mother and malnourished children roaming on the
streets. And perhaps this will be the first ever hospital to
Exclusively for mothers. "On my way for recordings, I happened to pass by
different villages and cases of suffering women. I promised myself to do
something and from now onwards I am raising fund General Hospital," narrates
Humaira Channa.
When delving into her personal life, she talks about some of her pas times.
Listening to classical song cooking dishes is what she loves to do in her spar
time. "Whenever I am dispirited, songs of Madam Jehan, Mehndi Hasan inspire me
each time to do something new," she confides.
Before I drop in another question she takes the cue and replies, "Indian
industry owes much to its media and vast audience recognized. On the same basis,
many artistes on not finding an encouraging response back home of release their
albums in Indian markets.
She has been getting offers left, right and center, mostly directors for
playback singing but she has turned them down and plans to launch one of her own
album.
And as she sips tea and nibbles on her biscuit, she reflects on the institution
of Ghaiki and how rich subcontinent is for its culture and music. "We have some
of the most beautiful of voices but unfortunately only age old institution of
Ustaad and Shaagirdi is not the same anymore.
The trend to suddenly taken as a profession for instant fame and money has
affected our music industry immensely. Whereas classical singing demands a
lifetime."
She stays as one of the most talented artiste of whom we could be proud o. Dil
Mein Basa Laay, As , Meeth Lai Ankh Way etc. are but a few of her unforgettable
while her songs for Jeeva, Miss Istanbul Mera Saathi are besides these.
Even after being too much engrossed in the conversation, how could a request
from her. And as she hummed a tune, we gladly joined in. truly mesmerized, I was
lucky e meet one fine artiste.
At around the same time I got an offer from Interflow to be a concept writer and
took that job as well (which I did for about 4 years). After this, I did a few
more programs sponsored by Pepsi such as Ask For More, Tez Raftaar, World Cup 99
Deewane and Inside Edge. Inside Edge was a 5 minute program basically about
cricket in which we gave cricket tips by cricketers scripted and directed by me.
I wanted to do more filming as I had grown out of advertising and since I knew
Ghazanfar Ali since ages, I talked to him and we worked out a deal. So I started
reading news on the Indus Network and around that time IM was happening so I
started directing promos for it and eventually became a VJ.
So how was your experience? Did you face any problems with anything or anyone?
Not at all. Indus had a chilled, relaxing atmosphere. I mean I used to read the
news while wearing shorts at times!
Being a VJ, how important do you think it is to be involved in the Music
scenario?
I feel it’s extremely important for a VJ to be involved in the music scene. I
know that it was easy being a VJ for me since I had always been into media
related stuff and knew about the history of the people directly involved in the
music scene. Furthermore, I believe in ‘intellectual fulfillment.’ For
example, I would ‘recharge’ my self before every show by reading up on
virtually anything and then discussing that on my show.
Moving onto other grounds, what exactly happened at Indus that made you, amongst
the others, leave?
Basically the new channels that were coming up were giving really good offers
and had really good financial backing. There were newer markets to explore which
everyone looking forward to and all these factors influenced us.
News is that you were being forced to sign a contract. Either that or you leave?
Yes the contract was there and it was quite unfair. But the biggest factor for
me leaving IM was the excitement of doing something new due to so many offers.
Money was not a problem since we got good money from IM. Indus might have a bad
reputation regarding financial stuff but they took good care of us.
And what would you say about the new VJs at IM?
I saw ‘Café Current’ and I think they’re doing a pretty good job there
but there’s a definite room for improvement.
I haven’t seen my show yet so I can’t really comment on that.
Which bands top your list right now and what would you say about the current
music scene?
I see The Call on top right now. They’re making really good music. E.P is
improving as well and I’ really looking forward to Ali Azmat’s album.
Thanks for your time.
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