The song from this year's superhit -- Jaane Na Ya Jaane Tu -- has made the name Aditi very popular. What it also did was make the singer of this popular number famous.
Meet Rashid Ali as he talks (and sings) to Nithya Ramani about his experience singing the song and working with ace music director, A R Rahman.
Where are you from and how did land up in Bollywood?
I was born in India but brought up in the UK. My mother is a ghazal singer. We have been taught both languages right from childhood so we are very conversant with Indian and Western music.
How did you learn music?
I did not have any formal lessons in singing. I have heard music all my life at home from my mother. I did not have any formal lessons on the guitar either. I have a fair knowledge of Bollywood music since I hear it all the time. I have grown up hearing Lata Mageshkar and Mohammad Rafi sing.
How did you meet A R Rahman?
He saw me during a concert. I mentioned to him about my mother being a ghazal singer and the fact that she had done a lot of concerts with Ustad Gulam Khan saab. Since he knew Usatad saab we kind of struck a dual note. It was a unique thing for him I guess, to find an Asian, an Indian who also knows western music which also he is into -- the cutting edge kind of music.
How did Jaane Tu happen?
I met him during a concert (prior to which I had sung a Tamil song from the film Paarthale Paravasam).
Why Tamil?
I don't know Tamil but I had to sing a single phrase at a time. ARR was looking for a fresh voice. I also sang Adnan Sami's part in the song Boom Boom from the film Boys in the Dubai concert with ARR. I sang Ada from the film (of the same name). Meanwhile he offered me Aditi.
Video: Reuben N V
Also Read : Showcasing Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na
Jaane Tu
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