The biggest turning point in my career has been switching from the traditional Patiala gharana to a more contemporary form of music. Though I belong to the seventh generation of the Patiala gharana and had undergone intense classical music training, I chose to experiment with contemporary music. This has been a major turning point for me.

In my childhood I was exposed to all forms of music — hard core classical music, rock and even pop. So, I always wanted to be a singer because that was all I was focused on since my childhood. I believe that every experience is an opportunity to learn lessons and therefore, I treat every album as a significant turning point in my career.

My recent album, Tabeer, has been an important milestone in my career. In this album, most of the songs are inspired by Sindhi folk and Sufi music with elements of jazz and pop.

There have been other major high points in my career including singing in Hindi films like Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna and My Name Is Khan. Right now, I am looking forward to my forthcoming Hindi films — Nikhil Advani’s Patiala House and Karan Johar’s I Hate Love Stories.

I feel that self-satisfaction is the key to success and it really doesn’t matter whether you sing in Pakistan or in India. I truly believe that a voice should not be restricted by borders. I enjoy experimenting with various styles of music and working with musicians of different backgrounds. As a singer, my inspiration has always been my father, Ustad Amanat Ali Khan.

I hope that I will be able to live up to the expectations of people and keep on doing good work in future.

(As told to Sushmita Biswas)