All these guitars touting supposedly energy exuding pop ‘stars’ that Pakistan can boast of these days are (or can be considered) off-shoots of what the pioneer of pop music in Pakistan, Alamgir did in early ‘70s.

This young trendsetter did thing his way in those days. Everything, he did youngsters emulated. The way he dressed, his haircut, the faded jeans and the guitar made every teenager yearn to be a pop star.

Alamgir’s energy was unmatched weather he performed live or in front of the camera. Not only did he have style he also had what most new pop stars lack these days-talent.

Music was redefined in the seventies by the new comer that we all came to know as Alamgir. His powerful voice, dancing eyes and fun moves made us all sit up and take notice every time Alamgir appeared.

Most pop songs of the seventies are associated with this icon. Albela Rahi accumulated such a wide range of fans that
from your grandfather to the seven year olds everyone hummed along with him.

It is difficult to pinpoint which one was his first every pop song recorded for television. But it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to claim that in late ‘70s and early ‘80s whatever Alamgir crooned, hummed or sang would become instantly popular.

One of my all time favorite numbers in Dekh Tera Kia Rung Ker Dia Hai. However, by pop standards it was a rather sedate song. In the peppy, groovy category the gana that immediately springs to mind is Keh Dena Aankhon Se.

at the time, distortion pedals used in guitars was a bit of novelty. And the Keh Dena Aankhon Se dared to be different. In this regard many people believe that Dekha Na Tha Kabhi Hum Ne Ye Sama was his best pop attempt.

Despite the brilliance of the song, I beg to differ with them. Still, Alamgir is not all about hoo hoo and haa haa. Many of his relativity slow songs (as they say in the Rainbow center linger) were in auditory treat. Ye Shaam Aur Tera Naam is one of them.

The singer would lend such veracity to the musical compositions (occasionally his own otherwise of renowned musicians) that every word he hummed readily gained acceptability among his die-hard fans.

But mere pop wasn’t Alamgir’s forte. When he lent his voice to Khayal Rakhana he inspired patriotism in the youngsters. Yes, this is the same song that had the services of the inimitable Benjamin Sisters as backup vocalists.

Alamgir also sang for films. To date, Hum Chaley To Hamarey Sung Sung Nazarey Chaley is of Nisar Bazmi’s top foot snapping compositions, to which Alamgir did justice.

And to prove his versatility as a playback singer, his soul stirring Mujhe Dil Se Na Bhulana for the all time best Pakistani flick, Aina can never be forgotten.

It is indeed sad that today’s pop singers either tend to cash in on stage antics or slick videos. Save for one or two, not many of them have the voice and musical versatility that Alamgir so proudly possessed, or shall I say, possesses.