Draft:Zeeshan Ali (musician)
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Zeeshan Ali | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Zeeshan Ali |
| Born | August 26, 1993 Lahore, Pakistan |
| Origin | Lahore, Pakistan |
| Genres | Ghazal, Qawwali, Sufi music, Classical |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, music composer |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, keyboard |
| Years active | 2010s–present |
| Labels | Independent |
| Spouse | Irza Khan |
Zeeshan Ali (Urdu: ذیشان علی; born 26 August 1993) is a Pakistani singer, songwriter, and music composer renowned for his soulful voice and emotive renditions of ghazals, qawwalis, and Sufi music. Emerging from Lahore, Pakistan, Ali has become a prominent figure in both Pakistani and Indian music circles, celebrated for reviving classical genres and bridging traditional and contemporary musical expressions.[1][2]
Early Life and Background
[edit]Zeeshan Ali was born on 26 August 1993 in Lahore, Pakistan, into a family with deep cultural roots. His great-grandfather, Balak Singh, was a Sikh from Jalandhar, Punjab, India, who migrated to Pakistan, making Ali a third-generation migrant.[2][3]. Raised in a Shia Muslim household, Zeeshan was introduced to music through religious gatherings, where he developed an early appreciation for poetry and classical ragas[3]
Musical Training and Influences
[edit]Ali’s musical journey began in his childhood, singing religious poetry set to classical ragas. He later trained under a guru from the Gwalior gharana, which further honed his skills in classical music.[2]. His musical influences include legendary artists such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Noor Jehan, and Mohammed Rafi, whose timeless melodies and poetic lyricism deeply inspired his style[2][3]
Career
[edit]Breakthrough
[edit]Zeeshan Ali first gained attention with his appearance on the Pakistani music television series Nescafé Basement (Season 4), where his rendition of "Tere Jiya Hor Disdah" was widely appreciated.[3]. However, his major breakthrough came in 2017 when a 30-second Instagram clip of him performing Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s qawwali “Saadgi” went viral, amassing over a million views and gaining him a substantial following, particularly in India[2][3]
Musical Style
[edit]Ali is celebrated for his mastery of ghazal, qawwali, and Sufi music, genres that demand intricate vocal delivery and deep emotional resonance.[1]. His performances are characterized by simplicity, heartfelt lyrics, and minimalistic arrangements, often featuring just a keyboard accompaniment. This approach has resonated with audiences seeking authenticity and poetic depth in music, setting him apart in an era dominated by digital effects and autotune[1][2]
Bigfoot Music has released and produced multiple original songs with Zeeshan Ali, such as "Tera Chup Rehna[4]," "Ik Wari[5]," and "Bhopali[6]," all of which are available on major streaming platforms and Bigfoot's official channels[7]. These collaborations have been praised for their emphasis on originality and for providing a platform for emerging Pakistani musicians to develop and showcase their own material[8].
Coke Studio and Recent Recognition
[edit]Zeeshan Ali’s music has found a particularly enthusiastic audience in India, where his renditions of classics by Mehdi Hassan, Farida Khanum, and Surinder Kaur have been widely shared and praised by Indian celebrities and musicians.[2]. He has been compared to Ali Sethi for his role in popularizing the ghazal genre among younger generations, though Ali emphasizes his own artistic individuality[2][3]. In recent years, Zeeshan Ali has been recognized as part of a new wave of emerging talent featured on prominent music platforms. According to Rakae Rehman Jamil and Khadija Muzaffar, authors of a 2025 book on Coke Studio, the show's commitment to showcasing new and upcoming musicians has brought attention to artists such as Babar Mangi, Star Shah, Zeeshan Ali, and Farheen Raza Jaffery. Music critic Rafay Mahmood praised the song "2 AM," stating, "Star Shah and Zeeshan Ali are perhaps two of the most talented individuals to have graced Coke Studio in the last couple of years. They are so deeply rooted in tradition that the soul of this one song can outshine the so-called 'gehrayi' and pretentious Sufi motifs of the entire last season in the blink of an eye."[9]
Notable Works
[edit]Some of Zeeshan Ali’s most recognized songs and covers include:
- "Saadgi" - cover
- "Pul Jaan" - cover
- "Tere Jiya Hor Disdah" - cover
- "Toh kia yeh teh hai" - cover
- "Wada Shikan"
- "Niyat-e-Shauq"[2][3][10]
- "2am" - Coke Studio Season 15
Personal Life
[edit]Zeeshan Ali is married to Irza Khan, a well-known Pakistani news anchor. The couple has a daughter named Elia Zeeshan[3]. Ali continues to reside in Lahore, where he is actively involved in music production and live performances.[9]
Legacy and Impact
[edit]Zeeshan Ali is credited with revitalizing interest in traditional South Asian music genres, especially among younger audiences. His commitment to authenticity and poetic expression has positioned him as a cultural ambassador, fostering cross-border appreciation for Pakistani musical heritage.[1][3]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Zeeshan Ali". www.darbar.org. Retrieved 2025-05-29.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i TEAM, NACTION (2023-11-08). "Zeeshan Ali (Singer) Wiki, Age, Height, Daughter, Wife". N.ACTION. Retrieved 2025-05-29.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Sharma, Unnati (2023-05-23). "Pakistani singer Zeeshan Ali has more Indian fans. They call him new Ali Sethi". ThePrint. Retrieved 2025-05-29.
- ^ Bigfoot Music (2019-04-18). Zeeshan Ali | Tera Chup Rehna | Bigfoot Music. Retrieved 2025-06-04 – via YouTube.
- ^ Bigfoot Music (2019-08-17). Zeeshan Ali | Ik Wari | Bigfoot Music. Retrieved 2025-06-04 – via YouTube.
- ^ Bigfoot Music (2021-05-22). Zeeshan Ali | Bhopali | Bigfoot Music. Retrieved 2025-06-04 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Bigfoot Music". YouTube. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
- ^ Sultan, Asfa (2019-11-04). "Bigfoot Music is helping Pakistani artists produce original songs for free". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
- ^ a b Jamil, Rakae Rehman; Muzaffar, Khadija (2025-01-09). Coke Studio (Season 14). Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 112. ISBN 9798765100165.
- ^ "Zeeshan Ali - Songs, Events and Music Stats | Viberate.com". www.viberate.com. Retrieved 2025-05-29.