SHAHIDA MINI

Malka e Tarannum?!

AS SHE DELVED into the semi classical groove of that remarkable film thumri titled Sajan lagi tori lagan man ma Shahid Mini definitely made the 46th Nigar Awards evening come alive. Wrapped up in a dark green sari, with her glamorous presence and self conscious jalwa flashing across the stage and the frames, Shahida truly looked the queen of all she surveyed. She showed her range of nuances when rendering Saleem Iqbal's champion number from S. Suleiman's brilliant Baji. This semi classical number opened the Nigar Awards just right. Originally, this fascinating hit was sung by Noor Jahan and Farida Khanum, the only one they ever sang together. In the original, the two famous songbirds competed for brilliance over each other. Of course, Noor Jahan's taan and paltey win the show at the end, where Noor Jahan has moved ahead on the basis of her excellent galabazi. Shahida tried to emulate that feat, and it was an Enthralling performance from her. You could call her a Mini Noor Jahan, if you will! But, as for Shahida acquiring the title of Malka-e Tarannum, one may have serious reservations about it! She is good, but she can't still lay claim to the historic title Noor Jahan did not become Malka e Tarannum by singing the songs of others! She got that title because she sang powerful semi classical, apart from typical film songs throughout her life. She wasn't just a singer, she was a brilliant playback, and portrayed the expression of the artistes on the silver screen with her voice; that's the reason that she became so great. She stands above Lata, in my opinion (if it counts at all) because she has sung so many endearing ghazals too for radio and television, which will never fade away from memory. That expression was totally different from the films. She sang Allama Iqbal, Nasir Kazmi, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Qateel Shifai, Habib Jalib and many others with incredible variety. Similarly, who else, except: Naseem Begum could sing semi classical songs with such panache i~ films, as Noor Jahan did? Moreover, her patriotic and folksongs stand alone in their effective rendition. Such all round brilliance is unmatched. Shahida can’t lay claim to Malka e Tarannum just on the basis of winning a single competition. She doesn't have more than a few hit songs of her own. She is just singing the hits of Noor Jahan. Unless and until she sings original numbers of the same classical vitality and vibrancy, she can't boast about this kind of huge mastery. It's too much of a self obsession to claim that title, at this stage of her career!

SHAHIDA MINI

The Mini album

Shahida Mini's latest album, Teray Ishique Nachaya was launched recently her second after two years. The album consists of original songs, unlike her last album which mainly comprised of remixes. The songs have been composed by veteran musician, Mujahid Hussain. The album covers several rhythms that range from folk to Sufi to bhangra and even Arabic. There is only one song in Urdu. A total of ten songs, the album kicks off with the title track of Bulley Shah's Teray Ishigue Nachaya. The song has a fast rhythm and repetition of lyrics emphasizing the mystic effect poetry has over people. Sonny diyan wallian has been penned by Khawaja Pervaiz and this semibhangra tune is the best song of the album. Five songs have been written by the late Hasan Rizvi, his last effort before his death. And out of these five, two have been written in the Haryanvi language. The best of the two is Lak tanoo tanoo because of its interesting poetry (for those who understand it). The Arabic song Habibi ya nooral aien has a catchy tune, and Shahida sings it pretty well. In fact many feel that the singer should perform Arabic songs more.

BACK