Najam Sheraz at a city hotel. Picture by Sanjoy Chattopadhyaya

Tonight Together on April 1 at ICCR saw Pakistan’s Najam Sheraz performing for the sake of peace, along with Calcutta’s diva Usha Uthup. MJ superhits We Are The World (belted out by Shayne Hyrapiet) and Heal The World (performed by Usha and joined in by the audience) set the mood. Keyboardist Indrajit, lead guitarist Bodhisattwa Ghosh, bassist Mainak Nag Chowdhury and drummer Jivraj Singh performed with the writer-composer-singer who was dressed in a bright, sleeveless jacket paired with denims and white shirt.

In conversation with Sheraz who stayed back in town as Wasim Akram’s guest for the KKR match on Sunday…

How did music happen?

I teamed up with my brothers for Brother Rhythm when I was 14. Wet Metal, my first band as an adult, was influenced by Guns ‘N’ Roses and Bruce Springsteen. But I had to release my first original as a solo as the others weren’t sure whether it would work. But Inse Nain Milake Dekho was a chartbuster.

You have been involved with spreading the word of peace…

I’m the official singer for motivational music in my country. The national anthem was reproduced and re-sung in 2006 and I was commissioned by (then President) Pervez Musharraf to do so.

When I performed Only Love (which was also part of the Beijing Olympics) in Madison Avenue after 9/11, policemen started frowning when the audience joined in. But after I explained the lyrics, they came to escort me to my car.

You’re Pakistan’s pet but have never shied away from controversy…

My second single Sona chahta hoon was my first song to be banned. In Nawaz Sharif’s government in 1997, music was banned in Pakistan along with long-hair-and-jeans-culture. But Nawaz Sharif was dethroned. My Pal do pal ki chahat was the first 35mm music video in Pakistan but it suffered because of Kargil, and 10 years later, Najam suffered because of 26/11.

How did Tere bina in Mahesh Bhatt’s Shaapit happen after the controversy regarding Bheenge honth tere?

I had composed the Punjabi Mainu tere naal in 2000, while Murder came out in 2004. I called Mahesh Bhatt when I heard the lyrics and saw the picturisation. I refused money and signed a contract with him, the first official transaction between the two countries musically.

What was the result?

I hadn’t expected it from Bhatt who has such close ties with Pakistan but I knew making a big deal would sour equations between our countries. But it was my stepping stone into Bollywood. No recognition at the awards where Anu Malik was recognised was hurtful. It was a huge hit but people don’t know about me.

You’re the second Pakistani singer after Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan to be featured on an international soundtrack (Split Wide Open)…

Travelling in the Muslim and the western world, I’ve been talking about growing distance between the cultures, and been a part of BBC World’s biggest documentary on Islam and extremism alongside President Musharraf and our religious leader Qazi Hussain Ahmad. I have toured colleges and schools and tried to remove confusion and fear regarding Islam amongst youngsters in my country.

Who have you trained under musically?

Baba Chahat Hussain who played the sarangi for Lataji’s audition at Prithvi Theatre.

Message to aspiring musicians?

If you are special, trust yourself and polish your talent. Otherwise, don’t waste time. Look within yourself for success and help out others. When nothing is happening, it’s preparation time.

Pipeline…

Writing songs for the next album, which is co-produced by Chris Eaton and touring for Shaapit. I hope to work with Shankar Mahadevan. I’ve been in touch with Rahman for the last two years. An Oscar doesn’t inspire me musically but it’s a huge milestone for our subcontinent!