Shahid Akhtar Qalandar

Quick Facts

Intro

Singer

Places

Pakistan

Songwriter

Work field

Music

Gender

Male

Birth

1984

Place of birth

Hunza Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Age

41 years

Instruments:

Rebab

The details (from wikipedia)

Biography

Shahid Akhtar Qalandar, commonly known by his stage name Qalandari, or Shahid Qalandar, is a Pakistani singer-songwriter born and raised in Hunza Valley, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan.

At the age of 12, he started his musical life as a devotional singer within community and later explored Hunza Folk music. Since no proper recording was available in the region, he concentrated on compositions and song writing. He is known all over Gilgit-Baltistan for his voice and musical compositions. By 2009, he released six albums in a row:1st Shama, 2nd Qalandari 2002, 3rd Thala Thala (the most famous album in the Burushaski language to date), 4th Best of Shahid Akhtar Qalandar, 5th Jajee, and,6th, Mehr-e-Minas..

He is a pioneer in using traditional instruments with western musical instruments, due to which he attained high reputation in Hunza Valley and soon all over districts of Gilgit Baltistan. His song Thala Thala became anthem to young generations and the folk tune of this song was added to set of traditional folk tunes called Hareep. From cultural festivals to café's and government official dinners, everyone wanted to see Qalandari performing live.

In July 2005, he was first Artist from Gilgit Baltistan, who performed for President of Pakistan General Perveiz Musharraf. After the performance Shahid demanded for audotrium and professional recording Studio to be built in Gilgit Baltistan where Artists from the region can showcase their talent.

Till date Shahid Akhtar Qalandar has recorded 6 Albums and has been part of promoting cultural music of mountains in local and international level as a lead singer and Rubab player.

Shahid has always encouraged youth especially girls from Gilgit-Baltistan to learn music and gain education. In 2007, He introduced the first female singer from the region by breaking the ideology of male dominance in regional music. He believes music and education are the only weapons which can defeats extremism from the region.

In July 2016 Shahid visited Bulbulik the music school in Gojal Hunza and Leif Larsen Music Center at Altit to encourage youth towards music.

In September 2016 Shahid make a video message for youth of Gilgit Baltistan to Avoid from Drugs and Alcohol.

In July 2017,on the occasion of Diamond Jubilee of Prince Karim Aga Khan, the Imam of Shia Ismaili Community, he composed One Jamat Devotional Song in 4 different languages that included Urdu, Persian, Burushahki and Arabic. The one jamat song and Ali Guyam Ali Juyam Sufi song became the theme song for the Ismaili Community in Gilgit Baltistan during the Diamond jubilee celebrations and in the month of December 2017 during the visit of Prince Karim Aga Khan to Gilgit Baltistan.

Award

In December 2, 2018, Hunza Arts and Culture Council, Awarded HAAC 2018)Award to Shahid A Qalandar in the recognition of his outstanding services in the field of Hunza Folk Music, Poetry and Singing. As SAQ is currently residing in United States, his Uncle Dr Muhammad Jan received the award on his behalf from Member of GB legislative Assembly Mr.Arman Shah.

Early life

Shahid Akhtar Qalandar was born on February 10, 1984 in small village called Khoshi later named Faizabad at Altit in Hunza Valley locality in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan.

Initially, he went Public School and College Jutial in Gilgit Baltistan and then to Indus Valley School of Art & Architecture Karachi to study A Bachelor of Design (B.Des. or B.Design).