I grew up at a time when having a Cable Television was considered cool (read: a VERY good topic for gossiping neighbours) and watching the 7 o’clock cartoon just before going to school was considered a normal part of just another day. Throw in a few songs that I’d spend the day humming in class and my television watching and listening experience was complete.

As far back as I can remember my favourite song was “Purani Jeans”. So that automatically made my favourite singer Ali Haider. I remember learning up his song ‘by heart’ as they called it, in literally just 2 to 3 watches of the video. I ALSO remember that I did NOT know what the word “Yaadein” meant! It was just me, Ali Haider, the ‘purani’ jeans and my desperation to want to go to college ASAP because of it.

Then there was this singer called Alamgir. His song “Ko ko koreena” created waves of excitement in the youth of that time (that song played in all the top hotels, at weddings, parties and even random melas!)

When Junaid Jamshed came into the picture (or atleast when I found out about the singer’s existence) my television watching horizon broadened and I began to realise that I would never settle to just one favourite singer. He was EPIC with his “Dil Dil Pakistan” which to this day, still rings in my ears!

As music evolved and singers evolved over the years, so did the nominees for my favourite singers. However, today if anyone asks me who my favourite singer is I would have just 2 names; Raahat Fateh Ali Khan and Shreya Goshal. I would do anything to attend their concerts. If only I get the chance.