Having musical family background is a blessing: Javed Ali

Your father was a famous qawwali singer. Did your musical background in the family initially drawn you to singing?

I am very lucky to have a musical family background. Actually no one pushed me to singing but it was my own interest. Upon seeing my interest, my father encouraged me to pursue music.

Tell us whether having a musical background puts an added pressure on a performer?

No this is not the case. I see this as a blessing. As a performer, I am blessed to have my family background musical.

When did you decide to start playback singing?

I decided to begin playback singing when I had started to feel that I will have to become a versatile singer, popular and also earn money.

You started with the song Ek Din Teri Raahon Mein. How do you see the change in Bollywood song over the years?

Ek Din Teri Raahon Mein was a very big hit. But a lot of changes came over the years. Sounds, style of singing and composition have changed. I think change will also continue to take place.

Lots of remakes of old songs do happen now. What is your view on it? Why are we getting too much reliant on old songs?

Sound has changed over the years. People used to like old songs in new arrangements so I like some of the remakes. We can technically enhance the songs and play with the sounds. I like remakes of some of the songs.

You are about to perform in Kolkata soon. How excited are you?

I am very excited to perform in Yellow Taxi Music Project (The Yellow Taxi Music Festival) and I will sing a number of Bengali songs. It will be a remarkable experience for me hopefully.

(Image Credit: Javed Ali Twitter and Wikipedia)