Waheed Jeelani - Voice of Kashmir

No non-sense singer: voice of the Kashmir valley


Long before Qazi Taqueer became Indian idol (It was Fame Gurukul) Waheed Jeelani was perhaps the first singer of the valley who reached the finals of the prestigious Zee Sa Re Ga Ma. That is way back in 2001 when Sonu Nigam used to anchor it. Waheed narrowly lost the finals but was the first runner-up.

Pertinent to mention here Sonu during his struggling days was close to Waheed in Mumbai, along with Udit Narayana. This is one facet, the other facet is that he came back from Mumbai due to family problems and as such was not able to carve a niche there. He regrets that but is quick to add, "I would not then have become what I am in Kashmir. Yes, the regret will be there always but then when I look at myself I feel compensated that today Waheed Jeelani has his own identity". He did playback singing for a video movie titled Pyar Ka Safar and sing with Sonu Nigam and Udita Narayana.

As we talk along the shift focuses on his talent hunt show,

Take Sa Re Ga Ma. "Before this I also made Baje Sargam for Commercial Broadcasting Service in 2001. Anyways the real motive behind this talent hunt show is to give two three good voices to our people. See I don't want to do everything for the money I want to contribute in the real sense and if I can provide platform to budding singers I feel highly satisfied and that's way I bring many experts who give them lessons on various aspects".

But wasn't he harsh to the Kashmir's first ever reality show Milay Sur contestants when he was the guest judge.

"I was harsh because I didn't want to mislead them. They were talented, but they have long way to go before that talent blossoms".

Every artist has this wont dream of people liking and appreciating their work and Waheed cherishes such moments, he mentions one such moment: there were a large contingent of people from Gurez who had come to visit my uncle, they were sitting besides me and then they said they have one desire in life to see the singer Waheed Jeelani, not aware that I was sitting right among them. It give me such a pleasure and joy that people from Gurez do like my voice. My uncle said to them if I will make it possible? They didn't believe him and said it's not possible but then my uncle pointed the finger towards me and said here is he. They got stunned to find me in front of them. It was a most memorable and satisfying moment for me and one I will always cherish.

Ten years down the line where will Waheed Jeelani be:

At least not in Kashmir. I want to be in Bollywood now.

I got amazed does it mean Waheed Jeelani has lost the battle in Kashmir and no longer wants to remain in Kashmir?

"No, its not like that, every artiste craves for broader and wider audience and I too want to feel it. See where sonu Nigam is at present. If I would have stayed in Mumbai I would have been altogether a different singer. Besides people here are only after money," he says in a rueful manner.

I ask him a lame question at the end: what would he like to be known as; singer or composer.

"I want the former. I want to be known and remembered as singer first and singer last. Its singing which has given me name and fame and I am still loyal to it.

Before I bid adieu to him, I am tempted to ask him; have you ever flirted or had any fling affair? Then I resist my temptation for next interview shake hands with him and move towards my destination.

Mail at inamulrehman@gmail.com

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OMG Abdul Wahees is my dads name and Waheed is my last name!!!!! 😆
TFS

Kumar thank you for another great thread yes I heard him before. Great voice you will love to listen to him also. I do have a CD on him.

Song of the heart, soul of a people SHUJAAT BUKHARI

Bashir Dada's poetry and Waheed Jeelani's magical voice capture the essence of today's Kashmir

UNBEATABLE COMBINATION Waheed Jeelani's youthful voice and his rendering of Bashir Dada's song has made both of them extremely popular among music lovers 'Dai Kher Karus Pot Alau Dis, Ya Ash Dadrai Che Traw Mateu' (Pray for him or call him back or weep as much you can). When Bashir Dada, a prominent poet, writer, actor and director wrote these lines way back in 1988, he never had in mind that 15 years later it would not only give him recognition in Kashmiri society but also introduce the young singer Waheed Jeelani to the thousands of music lovers in Kashmir with a big bang. Since it was first sung by the 32-year-old Jeelani in 2003 and broadcast on Radio Kashmir Srinagar, no song in light music has been able to beat it in three years. Is it the message the song carries or Waheed's fine performance that has made it the most sought after among Kashmiri music lovers? "It is both", says Dada. "I was myself overwhelmed with the response". In fact the song written purely with a romantic idea and tinge, reflects the Kashmir of today. It makes an appeal to one who has left home. It could be a migrant Kashmiri Pandit seen as part of "Kashmiriyat" or a young Kashmiri Muslim who after feeling "disgusted" at the hands of rulers decided to take up arms and goes across the Line of Control to acquire training in arms and ammunition. But when it comes to the second stanza it is linked to the latter when Dada says "Yus Sham Dalith Aze Nanworeu, Gare Trwith Koh Kut Darv Mateu" (The one who left his home at the dusk bare-footed leaving behind home and hearth)". The would-be militants usually would leave in the evening to start the tedious journey of crossing the LOC in the early 1990s. Dada says that it was originally a title song written for a tele-serial "Faisele" (Decision). Poetic collection Dada who has written 35 poems in Kashmiri started his journey as an Urdu poet. But it was one of his friends in Anantnag who motivated him to write in Kashmiri. "Once I wrote in Kashmir, I felt at ease," says Dada, who is shortly releasing his poetic collection in Urdu, "Ham Chinar Waley Hein". It was a well-known poet in South Kashmir Abdur Rehman Azad who was highly impressed with his Kashmiri poetry. Just with one stanza, "Qader Mainey Che Hachnawee Zamaney, Kathan Miyanen Che Karakh Taweez Paney" (Time will tell you about my worth and you will make amulets out of what I say)", Azad said. What is interesting is that another poem written by Dada is far more powerful in reflecting the pain and agony of Kashmiris, but it is "yet to take off". Starting with "Kanh Pase Khuda Insaf Kareu" (For God's sake can someone do justice with us)", the poem, again written 15 years back, could be easily linked with former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's "healing touch" doctrine. "With the changing situation I have certainly made some amendments", says Dada.

But he is not happy with the way Radio Kashmir is treating his songs, saying there was an attempt to block them, particularly the second one. Last time a former director of Radio Kashmir intervened and ensured that it was played every time on people's demand. However, RK's music incharge Nissar Naseem says, "It is not true. Whenever there is bulk demand we play it." Feeling it is not advisable to repeatedly play the same song, he admits, "So far it is the most popular song". On his part Waheed also acknowledges his being a popular voice with this song. "Whatever I am is because of this song of Dada". Waheed, who is a grade 'A' radio artiste, was recently in London to attend a music festival organised by non-resident Kashmiris. "I had to sing this song eight times and still there was unabated demand,", he recalls. Waheed also laments the improper treatment being meted out at Radio Kashmir. "There is no encouragement". But he is committed to bring out a new album exclusively with Dada's songs. "It will happen soon", says Waheed who is currently heading Zee Kashmir's music division in Srinagar

All that gilters is not gold.Orban111

Mr Inam Sahib should study and watch keenly the Singers of Valley.Qaiser Nizami Srinagar Kashmir

The first Singer of Valley who has achieved first prize in National Level Singers Competition namely Qazi Rafi Uncle of Qazi Touqeer in the programme of Taza Geet Bahaar on 25th of March,1995.Naseer,Srinagar Kashmir

finally alive from the coffin huh... but won't this be way too long...