Srinagar, Nov 07 (KNO): Kashmir's singing sensation, Waqar Khan is trying to be like Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and not Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan though his voice matches with late Nusrat.
Talking exclusively to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Waqar, a resident of Tanghdar area of Kupwara district of north Kashmir, said that his passion for singing grew since he was a kid and it was hard to motivate parents since the society doesn't accept singers.
“Ever since, my childhood, the interest in singing was high, and with time and participation in school programs, my interest grew further,” he said. “I first sang a song at a local educational institute during a cultural program but with the passage of time the interest and passion developed further that helped to groom."
After facing the crowd, stage and getting appreciation from people paved a way for singing, he said.
"With acknowledgment and appreciation from people who not only cherish the hard work but also love the artist, motivates and boost to do more for the better content that's what an artist always looks for", Waqar said.
The Kashmir’s signing sensation said: "I sang a few of the songs of World famous Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, personally there is nothing to compare and it's wrong to do any sort of comparison between the two."
He said that he wants to be like Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and not the Qawali legend Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, even though his voice matches with the late Nusrat.
"Not only the negative criticism but some people encourage and motivate that helps an artist to grow with time and correct the lags also criticism is part of life it doesn't matter anymore", he said.
Waqar said earlier he served the education department but left the job early. “I continued my studies completed post-graduation and now I am preparing for PhD."
"There is no intention to take singing as a profession but have to go for further in studies,” he said. He also said that undoubtedly, it's a challenge to make a mark in the valley when all the resources are available to everyone including the internet also, a person who comes from a border town (Tangdhar,) where singing isn't accepted even now.
Notably, the young singer said the songs he sung after seeing legendary Nusrat singing the same, got millions of views on social media. “I got lot of comments and appreciation for singing the qawalis and songs already sung by legendary Nusrat sahib,” he said—(KNO)