Asad Amanat Ali's 2nd Death Anniversary Observed

Renowned Pakistani classical, semi- classical and ghazal singer Asad Amanat Ali Khan's second death anniversary was being observed on Wednesday 8th April 2009.

According to a private Aaj TV report, Asad Amanat Ali Khan was born fifty five years ago, in the renowned Patiala Gharana of musicians, in Lahore. He was engaged with classical music from his earliest years.

His great grandfather Ali Buksh Khan, the founder of the Patiala Gharana, passed on his legacy to Akhter Hussain, who then transferred the gift and training to his sons Fateh Ali Khan, Amanat Ali Khan and Hamid Ali Khan.

Amanat Ali Khan passed away at an early age in 1974, but Fateh Ali Khan particularly drew worldwide acclaim. At the age of 10 years Asad recorded his first song, which featured on his grandfather's debut album.

He had not been very interested in academics, and therefore joined a private institution and began singing professionally after completing his F.A.

He started his musical career by performing 'Thumri' and then went on to record some of his most popular Punjabi numbers and ghazals, such as umra lagian, zara zara, kal chaudwin ki raat, and ghar wapas jab.

One of the song that he performed in almost every concert, arguably his father (Ustad Amanat Ali Khan's) biggest hit, was Insha ji utho.

Asad worked for Pakistan Television for several years. Nisar Bazmi, composer and PTV producer, who passed away last week in Karachi, gave him his first break, introducing the artist to the world on live television.

He retained his affiliation with television through the years, recording over 1,000 songs. Asad also contributed to the Pakistani film industry, featuring on a number of soundtracks. Moreover, he caught the attention of neighbouring Bollwood and contributed to soundtracks there too.

Asad Amanat Ali was also famous for his "soz-o-salam" recitations in Urdu describing the events of Karbala during Ashura in Muharram, and appeared on many radio and television specials about Karbala over the years before his death.

Report created by AAJ Tv Pakistan