“Koi Chehra” is a song that has been playing on all Indian and Pakistani music channels almost non-stop. Adeel Asghar Choudhary is the voice that has made this song an instant hit with music lovers. Originally studying to become a dentist, this multitalented young man followed his heart and has achieved instant success in the sub-continent.

We had the opportunity to interview Adeel and ask him about his future plans and how he started his very successful journey.

Tell us a little bit about your background, family and education

THERE’S a first time for everything as singer Khadija Hayder proved with her debut album ‘My First Time’.

My First Time has been released by AP Productions and offers a variety of musical styles including pop and bhangra.

Khadija collaborated with lyricist Akhtar Hussain and producer JKD to bring out her first solo work. The result is uplifting and refreshing - a sure fire hit.

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself, your date of birth, childhood and siblings?

My name is Shahzad Haroon, I was born in Hyderabad, Sindh on December 14th, 1973. I have a sister who currently lives in Kuwait. I have spent most of my early childhood in Iran, moved back to Karachi, when I was five. I had most of my education done in Karachi. After completing high school, I moved to Chicago for further studies. I completed my under-graduate studies in Electrical Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology and graduate degree from DePaul University.

“This movie is a thing of beauty, with the substance to match its style.”

Hollywood — and America’s — fascination with all things Asian continues in Edward Zwick’s “The Last Samurai,” a movie that successfully merges a Western with a samurai movie. Zwick triumphantly pulls off what sounds like the height of arrogance: a Yank directing a samurai movie and, worse, Tom Cruise playing the title role. Hewing close to historical accuracy, though, the film does a reasonable job of situating Cruise, playing an Indian fighter and Civil War veteran, in Japan during the 1876-77 Samurai Revolt to catch the final moments of samurai culture and its spirit of Bushido.

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest man of all?” Ali Haider of course! A name that needs no introduction… One of the biggest singers in the Pakistani music industry, he is what the youth of today grew up listening to. Tracks like ‘Purani Jeans’ - that every school and college-going person could identify with - made him a household name. Here we ask Ali about his Purani Jeans, his new album and make him clear out a few controversies. Here he is uncensored.

Karachi is famous for food, sandy beaches, bustling lifestyle and Kara Film festival. Kara film festival is an event organized by KaraFilm society a group of young committed filmmakers.

Last year’s festival “Dekh magar Pyar se” (”watch but do it with love” is probably the right translation for the phrase) was a blast. Among many other attractions of this festival there were movies such as “Khamosh Pani aka silent waters” winner of Grand Prize at Locarno Film Festival, world premier of “Paap” a Mahesh Bhatt production directed by Pooja Bhatt and “Ghar ki Talash”. The festival was a smash hit thousands of people visited and watched movies with great enthusiasm. There were movies from USA, UK, Europe, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan.

The Rafi Peer Theatre’s 10-day world performing arts festival, 2004, is being held at the Alhamra Cultural Complex from Nov 27.

As many as 600 artistes of over 33 countries, including India, will perform in various disciplines of performing arts like dance, theatre, music and puppetry.

Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi will inaugurate the festival. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will attend its premier show on Nov 26, a day ahead of its formal launch.

Rafi Peer Theatre directors Faizan Peerzada and Usman Peerzada told newsmen here at the Lahore Press Club on Friday that it was one of the biggest festivals in South Asia.

It’s a union for a noble quest. The ARY Digital network and Stardreamz entertainment USA, today announced the Music Mela 2004 - The India / Pakistan Peace Tour.

With Indian bhangra sensation Sukhbir and Pakistan’s pop idol Shehzad Roy roped in as the star performers, this nine cities the United State tour concert will begin on 7 May in New Jersey and will conclude on 30 May. The concerts to be held in Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Dallas, Connecticut and New York, will be televised for ARY Digital.

After a sabbatical long enough for people to be curious about him, Yasir Akhter is back and what makes this comeback more interesting is that he has not returned empty handed.

The singer-cum-actor-cum-director was on an extensive tour in US of A and had hit it off quite well with the Pakistanis living in Uncle Sam’s land.

That is perhaps why the Pakistani community bestowed a Lifetime Achievement Award on Yasir. The award called One Man Industry was handed over to Yasir on a Pakistan Day ceremony by Chief of Republication Party in Washington D.C Leornard Beckar.

Profile

Name: Danish Rahi
Age: 26
Location: NJ / USA
Education: Bachelors of Arts
Occupation: Designer / Singer / Producer
Interest(s): Visual and Performing Arts
Music Genre: Pop

Since how long have you been practicing music? When did you first pick up an instrument?

I have been practicing music since childhood. I remember waiting for my turn to play my sisters keyboard when I was five.

Did you acquire any formal training or was it all self experimentation?

I never took any courses in music, not much was available in those days in Pakistan for pop music. So it was mostly self-experimentation, and help from my senior musician friends and books.