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INTERVIEWS |
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| Shehzad Roy from his second Album |
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Darshan. |
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This is comparitively new performer who started off at a young age. Quite a favourite with the younger generation. Shehzad definitely has a promising future ahead of him. |
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The year was 1994, and the lyrics of the single topping the charts were "Nazrain Jo Milthin Ik Bar Sanam Say". The very grown-up voice singing the number belonged to a sixteen-year-old Karachi native named Shehzad Roy. This month Shehzad, at age twenty, is touring USA as a vital part of the Dream Team 97, and he is managing to allure the hearts of music lovers at each concert. For Shehzad, acquaintance with music came early in life when he first picked up a guitar at the tender age of ten. The rest is history in the making of a major Pakistani pop star. Over the years Shehzad has released two hit albums, "Zindagi" and "Darshan". His songs "Dholna" and "Bewafai" off the first album "Zindagi" have topped Pepsi?s Top of the Pops, and claimed great reviews from fans and critics alike. His latest release "Darshan" also proved to be an immense success, with selections (including the title track) "Darshan" done in a very traditional Qawali style. Since traditional heritage and cultural values hold a distinct nook in Shehzad?s life, he has become a big advocate of Eastern music. To him authencity of the instruments is as consequential as anything else in producing meaningful music. That is the exact logic that flutist Ustad Salamat Ali can be heard on the "Bewafai" track.. Furthermore about Shehzad?s preference in music, he has grown up listening to classical performers like Abida Parveen and Reeshma. His choice of Western music also includes the mellifluous vocals of Seal and the late Hispanic singer Selena. Shehzad?s videos, directed by himself are best examples of the guy?s visual inventiveness. Recently, Shehzad?s rising popularity also had him join hands with Pakistan?s acclaimed band Janoon in performing live for Pakistani troops stationed at the Siachen (foothills of K2) glacier at an elevation of 15,000 feet. |
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Shehzad has managed to keep a balance between all aspects of life, including music, academics, and sports. Nowadays he is busy acquiring a B.Com degree in Karachi, and intends to go for an M.Com degree afterwards. Last year he spent some time in Texas in order to complete course work in Video Technology. Table tennis is his settled upon sport, and one year he even had the Sindh table tennis champion title to his name. |
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Shehzad would like to master the skills of music as much as possible by devoting all his concentration to the field. For that very reason he has been reluctant in accepting movie roles offered to him by producers/directors like Shamim Ara and Sangeeta. However, he has tried his luck at acting in television, but did not find that to be his calling either. |
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Speaking of his USA 97 tour, Shehzad is greatly appreciative of the enthusiastic response he has been receiving from the USA-based Pakistani audience. In his opinion audiences here are extremely capable of generating a lot of energy by getting into the act with him. For Shehzad that is the sort of feedback that makes a performer do his or her best. Given a chance in future he would unquestionably cherish the opportunity to be back in the States for more performances. |
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