Rahat Fateh Ali Khan: Technology connects me to the world

Renowned Sufi Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan talks about his appearance on the show ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’ to inaugurate the Taaleem Studio by Sajid Wajid on the occasion of their completion of 20 years in the industry only on Zee TV. Below are excerpts from his interview.

How important is a reality show for an artist?
A reality show is a platform through which an artist gains immensely in terms of confidence. To represent himself in front of the entire world. He also gets to know what do people like in him and what they don’t. So when the artist reviews his performance after the day ends, he tries to work on things where he lacked.

You are considered one of the most talented Sufi singers. How do you plan to take this genre forward?
Well, Sufi songs are evergreen. Whenever a Sufi music chunk comes in a normal song, it creates a different mood all together. It has an absolutely soothing effect on people.

These days, the artists experiments a lot with their voice and songs. What’s your take on this?
I think it’s justified, when done with the right objective. It adds to a vocalist’s versatility.

How important are technical aspects while singing?
Singing at home is very different from singing at a studio. While recording at a studio, you have to take care of various technical details. ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’ is amongst the best places for budding singers to learn these technicalities and emerge as refined music professionals.

How do you cherish the moments with your fans from India?
The world wants to meet an artist but it is impossible to meet everyone. Technology connects me to the world and with all my well-wishers onTwitter, e-mails, fan pages on social networking sites.

You have been associated with a reality show in the past. What is your thought about ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’?
I have been a part of two reality shows and this is my third association. I am here on the sets of ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’ because of my friends Sajid-Wajid. Without a doubt, ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’ has set benchmarks of excellence in terms of singing talent and given the industry some of its finest voices. On an individual level, however, I feel it is up to the talent to make the best use of the platform. To get noticed, one has to try hard and grab every opportunity that comes your way.

Tell us about your new album?
It’s a single released by T-Series. To recreate the singing of a legend Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is a challenge. Salim-Suleman and Manoj Munteshar have tackled it wonderfully. Bhushan saab has helped us a lot in this. We have undergone several cuts and re-recordings, because it is about a legend As I mentioned, it’s justified if you give your hundred percent to it.

What are your views about Indian film music?
Indian film music is heard across the globe. People have varied tastes and preferences across the world, and Bollywood has a little bit of everything. So, item songs and soulful songs, both work.

What do you think about the decreasing number of songs in films, keeping in mind that they are the soul of a film?
Films are coming of age, people are experimenting with new genres. The music depends on the subject of the film. An art film or a serious subject cannot have many songs. It has just one feel and you can’t add different emotions to it.