Singer Sajjad Ali turns 51

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani semi-classical, pop and rock singer Sajjad Ali turned 51 on Wednesday. He was born on August 24, 1966 in Karachi.

His father, Shafqat Hussain known as Sajan, was a Pakistani film actor. Sajjad completed his F.A. from National Arts College, and briefly studied classical Piano at the University of Karachi, during graduation.

Sajjad Ali's first classical hit album, 'Master Sajjad Sings Memorable Classics' was released in 1979.

Sajjad made his television debut through Aap Janab by Athar Shah Khan. After this, he appeared in Rung Barangi Duniya by musician Sohail Rana. He also performed in a programme Rag Rung in 1980 at the age of 14, however on the 25th anniversary of PTV's stage show, called Silver Jubilee by Shoaib Mansoor, Sajjad got real fame through the song, "Banwari Chakori", originally sung by Noor Jehan. In 1983 during a show, Sajjad sang the songs, Lagi Ray Lagay Lagan Yehe Dil Mein and Banwari Chakori.

His songs Babia, Chief Saab and Sohni Lag Di proved chart busters. His brother Waqar Ali is also in the music industry. Sajjad along with his brother, wrote lyrics for most of the songs in his albums, while lyricists, Sabir Zafar, Mohammad Nasir, Nadeem Asad, and Ali Moin have also written some songs.

In July 2006, Sajjad released a single called Chal Rein De, a more classical song. In September 2006, he released another single in a totally different genre with the help of Meloscience Corp. The song is known as Sajjad-Ali Sinsym Flight, and it is an experimental, jazzy-Sufi beat.

Sajjad directed his first telefilm, Love Letter in 1989, and then his first full-length motion picture, Aik Aur Love Story in 1998. Before that, he also performed as an actor and a singer in a film, Munda Tera Deewana which was directed by Zahoor Husain Gillani. Sajjad has also sung songs for many drama serials.

Sajjad also composed songs in Shoaib Mansoor's 2011 film Bol.