Humaira Channa
”All set to release her first ever album, Humaira Channa looks equally ambitious new project taken up for mother and child health care”
Has she shied away from showbiz is she coming with something new to take the by surprise. But whatever it is people whatever it starved for entertainment, irksome by watch Channels, desire to listen some melodious music from their electronic media.
In the gap of more than a decade many singers have popped up yet hardly a handful have been success( the music scene. While the audience love for serious listening remains insatiate. In doing so they t songs of Madam Noor Jehan, Nayyara Noor and Mehnaz, they still long more from the likes of Humaira and Tina Sani.
After the demise of many of our music maestros, the scene is devoid of the very best of voices. In playback singing in Shamim Ara’s Kaun Baney Ga Carorpati, Sangeeta’s Sar Uta Kar Jyeeo, Humaira been giving much time to television.
When asked about her absence, she surprises us by an offer of music show, which she is seriously thinking to take up. She asks us for our suggestion and we gleeful consent.
Though she has been doing a lot of work behind scenes, people want to see her singing some hot nr front of the camera. Graduated from a classical background under the guidance of Ustad Bashir Ahmad and Nisar Bazmi, Humaira Channa is one of the few who can sing the most difficult of songs.
with untie Recently Reema asked her to sing a pure classical song for her special Kathak performance in America Main Tak Ghitak To Tadieg Dieg along with the beat, demands nothing short of a sound classical.
Since her appearance in 1988 PTV Silver Jubilee and her timeless numbers Asan Jan Ke Meeth Lai Teray Chareye Da Kala Kai Til Way, people can’t seem to forget her. Much to the demand of listener to do a remix of the same
Seeing the present trend, we asked her where are we heading. “Through our classical music we have reached a height where the Western musicians are turning to now while we go on to follow their trend enough we will realize the difference in both”, she says with an air of optimism.
Whether singing solos or duets for films, she along with Shaz’ia Manzoor, emerges as the only one maximum number of hit songs to her credit. While the latter has two of her albums, Humaira could much time to album details but now with her brother being involved in composing and direction, she launch one.
Dressed up casually in a blue Shalwar Kameez, a dab of lipstick and a liner, looking charming comfortably for the interview. For a singer like her this is what we least expected of.
As we sent on it she obliged to answer whatever was asked of her in what was more of a conversation than an interview asked for opinions on how would people like to see her,
everyone present there agreed that she shot her sober image but definitely insisted on more of her presence on television shows from where she successful singing career.
Besides singing she clearly looked ambitious about something else a new project she had recently as she poured out more details about it, we were confirmed more than ever that this singer had a ca serve.
What inspired her to setup a mother and childcare hospital in the rural areas of Haloki came question. Is it a catching trend and a way to win hearts? Nothing of the sort. She feels deeply for mother and malnourished children roaming on the streets. And perhaps this will be the first ever hospital to
Exclusively for mothers. “On my way for recordings, I happened to pass by different villages and cases of suffering women. I promised myself to do something and from now onwards I am raising fund General Hospital,” narrates Humaira Channa.
When delving into her personal life, she talks about some of her pas times. Listening to classical song cooking dishes is what she loves to do in her spar time. “Whenever I am dispirited, songs of Madam Jehan, Mehndi Hasan inspire me each time to do something new,” she confides.
Before I drop in another question she takes the cue and replies, “Indian industry owes much to its media and vast audience recognized. On the same basis, many artistes on not finding an encouraging response back home of release their albums in Indian markets.
She has been getting offers left, right and center, mostly directors for playback singing but she has turned them down and plans to launch one of her own album.
And as she sips tea and nibbles on her biscuit, she reflects on the institution of Ghaiki and how rich subcontinent is for its culture and music. “We have some of the most beautiful of voices but unfortunately only age old institution of Ustaad and Shaagirdi is not the same anymore.
The trend to suddenly taken as a profession for instant fame and money has affected our music industry immensely. Whereas classical singing demands a lifetime.”
She stays as one of the most talented artiste of whom we could be proud o. Dil Mein Basa Laay, As , Meeth Lai Ankh Way etc. are but a few of her unforgettable while her songs for Jeeva, Miss Istanbul Mera Saathi are besides these.
Even after being too much engrossed in the conversation, how could a request from her. And as she hummed a tune, we gladly joined in. truly mesmerized, I was lucky e meet one fine artiste.
At around the same time I got an offer from Interflow to be a concept writer and took that job as well (which I did for about 4 years). After this, I did a few more programs sponsored by Pepsi such as Ask For More, Tez Raftaar, World Cup 99 Deewane and Inside Edge. Inside Edge was a 5 minute program basically about cricket in which we gave cricket tips by cricketers scripted and directed by me.
I wanted to do more filming as I had grown out of advertising and since I knew Ghazanfar Ali since ages, I talked to him and we worked out a deal. So I started reading news on the Indus Network and around that time IM was happening so I started directing promos for it and eventually became a VJ.
So how was your experience? Did you face any problems with anything or anyone?
Not at all. Indus had a chilled, relaxing atmosphere. I mean I used to read the news while wearing shorts at times!
Being a VJ, how important do you think it is to be involved in the Music scenario?
I feel it’s extremely important for a VJ to be involved in the music scene. I know that it was easy being a VJ for me since I had always been into media related stuff and knew about the history of the people directly involved in the music scene. Furthermore, I believe in ‘intellectual fulfillment.’ For example, I would ‘recharge’ my self before every show by reading up on virtually anything and then discussing that on my show.
Moving onto other grounds, what exactly happened at Indus that made you, amongst the others, leave?
Basically the new channels that were coming up were giving really good offers and had really good financial backing. There were newer markets to explore which everyone looking forward to and all these factors influenced us.
News is that you were being forced to sign a contract. Either that or you leave?
Yes the contract was there and it was quite unfair. But the biggest factor for me leaving IM was the excitement of doing something new due to so many offers. Money was not a problem since we got good money from IM. Indus might have a bad reputation regarding financial stuff but they took good care of us.
And what would you say about the new VJs at IM?
I saw ‘Café Current’ and I think they’re doing a pretty good job there but there’s a definite room for improvement.
I haven’t seen my show yet so I can’t really comment on that.
Which bands top your list right now and what would you say about the current music scene?
I see The Call on top right now. They’re making really good music. E.P is improving as well and I’ really looking forward to Ali Azmat’s album.
Thanks for your time.