Shahid Akhtar Qalandar, commonly known by his stage name Qalandari, or Shahid Qalandar, is a Pakistani singer-songwriter born and raised in the
Hunza Valley,
Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan.
At the age of 12, he started his musical life as a
devotional singer 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 had released six albums: ''Shama'', ''Qalandari 2002'', ''Thala Thala'' (the most famous album in the
Burushaski language to date), Best of Shahid Akhtar Qalandar, ''Jajee'', and ''Mehr-e-Minas.''.
He is a pioneer in using combining traditional and western musical instruments. His song Thala Thala has become an anthem for young people, and its melody has been added to a of traditional
folk tunes called Hareep.
In July 2005, he was the first artist from Gilgit Baltistan to perform for President of Pakistan
Pervez Musharraf. After the performance, Shahid requested that an auditorium and professional recording studio be built in Gilgit Baltistan where artists from the region could showcase their talent.
Shahid Akhtar Qalandar has recorded six albums and has been part of promoting cultural music of mountains locally and internationally level as a lead singer and
rubab player.
Shahid has always encouraged young people, especially girls, from
Gilgit-Baltistan
Gilgit-Baltistan (; ), formerly known as the Northern Areas, is a region administered by Pakistan as an administrative territory, and constituting the northern portion of the larger Kashmir region which has been the subject of a dispute bet ...
to learn music and gain education. In 2007, he introduced the first female singer from the region, breaking the ideology of male dominance in regional music. He believes music and education are the only weapons which can defeat
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, he made 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
Imam (; ar, إمام '; plural: ') is an Islamic leadership position. For Sunni Muslims, Imam is most commonly used as the title of a worship leader of a mosque. In this context, imams may lead Islamic worship services, lead prayers, ser ...
of
Shia Ismaili
Isma'ilism ( ar, الإسماعيلية, al-ʾIsmāʿīlīyah) is a branch or sub-sect of Shia Islam. The Isma'ili () get their name from their acceptance of Imam Isma'il ibn Jafar as the appointed spiritual successor ( imām) to Ja'far al- ...
Community, he composed ''One Jamat Devotional Song'' in four different languages-
Urdu,
Persian,
Burushaski and
Arabic. ''One Jamat'' and ''Ali Guyam Ali Juyam'' became theme songs for the
Ismaili
Isma'ilism ( ar, الإسماعيلية, al-ʾIsmāʿīlīyah) is a branch or sub-sect of Shia Islam. The Isma'ili () get their name from their acceptance of Imam Isma'il ibn Jafar as the appointed spiritual successor (imām) to Ja'far al-Sa ...
Community in Gilgit Baltistan during the celebrations.
Award
On December 2, 2018, Hunza Arts and Culture Council
Awarded HAAC 2018) Awardto 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).
Key Performances
2000
*First Silk Route festival in Gilgit Baltistan.
*His first performance at Cultural event in Karachi Ali Bai Auditorium.
2001
*Musical Night in Gilgit and Hunza with Pakistani Singer Humera Channa.
2002
* Radio Pakistan Gilgit Awards ceremony event in Sikardu Baltistan.
2004
* First Hunza Culture Show Event in Islamabad
*Piyaqamar program in Karachi and family musical night at Aga Khan Hospital Auditorium Karachi.
2005
*Performed for President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf and Ghinani Festival in Hunza Valley.
*Introduced Gilgit Baltistan music at the Pakistan National Council of Arts.
2006
* Gilgit Baltistan Cultural Show at Al Humrah Lahore.
2007
*Shiskat welfare event in Karachi.
2008
*
Ginani
Ginani is an annual crop harvesting festival celebrated in valleys of Hunza and Nagar, Pakistan. It takes place on the 21st of June—the longest day of the year.
History
Gianni is observed as a celebration of a crop that has come into a positi ...
Festival in Hunza valley
2015
* Pakistan Day Event in Kuwait
* Hunza Cultural Show Islamabad
* Community Event In Kuwait
2016
* Made in Pakistan Festival Kuwait
2017
* First Gilgit Baltistan Cultural Show in Dubai
* Friends of the Aga Khan Museum Event in Dubai
2018
Performed at Central Jubilee Arts Festival in Dallas USA and National Jubilee Arts Festival in Los Angeles, United States
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Qalandar, Shahid Akhtar
Pakistani male singer-songwriters
Pakistani singer-songwriters
People from Hunza-Nagar District
Living people
1984 births
Rabab players
21st-century Pakistani male singers
21st-century Pakistani singers