Education Īli attended Rang Mahal Mission High School and Sacred Heart High School in Lahore and earned his bachelor's degree in 1988 from Government College University, Lahore (now known as GC University). Burman, and Roshan Ara Begum, and he lists Kishore Kumar, Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, and Asha Bhonsle as his favourite playback singers. He recalls visiting and spending time in various dargahs as a child and being enthralled by qawwali and other forms of devotional music being sung by Sufi practitioners, and asserts that these early experiences with Sufi expression and philosophies helped him develop his own approach to music later in life.Īli has mentioned in various interviews that he is an admirer of Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Pandit Jasraj, Ravi Shanker, Manna Dey, S. Everyone in the family knew music so anyone who would pass by and hear me doing riyaz would correct me if I was going wrong or attempting something difficult." Įxposed to numerous genres of music from a young age, Ali gravitated towards Sufi music fairly early on, drawn to its emphasis on humanism, spirituality, peace, and tolerance. " Similarly, in another interview, he stated: "we were constantly given feedback on our singing.which continued for seven to eight hours per day or basically anytime we were not in school. It was both emotionally and physically draining, but in hindsight this was a small price to pay for achieving perfection in our art. The practice had to be done sitting cross-legged on the floor and one’s legs would hurt. And they would then command us to practice some more. Each nuance had to be practiced again and again, till we could perfect it as per the standards of our elders. The endless practice sessions seemed boring and tedious as a child. He notes: "Growing up, music was all around us day in and day out and every elder could correct us and guide us. Since we both followed our father, sometimes people say that I sound both like my father and brother, and this makes me particularly happy." Īli has described his upbringing as being fairly strict and recalls that he (along with his brothers and cousins) was expected to train rigorously and do riyaz (practice) for several hours a day even as a child. It is a compliment for me if someone says that I sound like him." Ali has also shared that some of his vocal techniques are inspired by his older brother, Asad Amanat Ali Khan: "I have borrowed a few things from him which I incorporate both in my performances and songwriting. In an interview, while referring to his father, he revealed: "I have always wanted to be like him, sing like him, look like him. He is my inspiration. Īli was only nine years old when he lost his father, but considers him his greatest inspiration and influence in his craft and creative process. Referring to his initial training with his grandmother, Ali narrates: "the discipline she inculcated in me and the way in which she passed on anecdotes of ragas led me to an understanding of each bandish." Ali completed his musical training primarily under the tutelage of his uncle, Ustad Bade Fateh Ali Khan, although he has stated that he learned music from his brothers, sisters, and aunts as well. Ali began training in classical music at the age of four and has stated that he "never had to look outside home for musical influences." He considers his grandmother his first teacher and lists his grandfather, Ustad Akhtar Hussain as his guru, recollecting that his earliest memory is of his grandfather teaching him a composition as a three-year-old. He is one of seven siblings, the youngest brother of prominent vocalist Asad Amanat Ali Khan, and nephew to renowned Patiala Gharana exponents, Ustad Bade Fateh Ali Khan and Ustad Hamid Ali Khan.īeing born into a traditional vocal gharana, Ali has shared that he always aspired to become a singer because he wanted to carry forward his family's musical legacy. Shafqat Amanat Ali was born into a Punjabi Muslim family in Lahore, Pakistan to noted classical singer, Ustad Amanat Ali Khan and his wife Almas Amanat Ali Khan, on 26 February 1965, making him the seventh generation of the Patiala Gharana, which was founded in the mid-late 19th century by his great grandfather, Ali Baksh 'Jarnail' Khan. 3.8 Songs for Pakistani Drama Soundtracks (OSTs).3.7 MTV Unplugged, 2012 (Season 2, Episode 2).3.6 Coke Studio (India), 2011 (Season 1, Episode 6).2.6 Artistry, musical philosophy, and creative process.2.4 2012–2015: Third solo album and work in MTV Unplugged.2.3 2008–2011: Two solo albums and work in Coke Studio.2.2 2006: Breakthrough in Bollywood and rising popularity.2.1 2002–2004: Career beginnings, Fuzön, and rise to prominence.