Ali Sethi

Some Lesser Known Facts About Ali Sethi

• Ali Sethi is a Pakistani music artist and writer. His hit songs and a well-received novel have earned him acclaim. He rose to prominence with the success of his song ‘Pasoori’ in 2022, becoming a popular figure in the Pakistani music scene. In 2023, rumours of his gay marriage circulated on the internet which gained widespread attention.

• In an interview, Ali Sethi revealed that his mother played a significant role in sparking his interest in music during his childhood. He shared that she introduced him to various genres of South Asian music, including ghazals by artists like Mehdi Hassan and Farida Khanum, folk music from Indian and Pakistani Punjab, and classical Indian music featuring Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and other classical singers and encouraged him to sing complex songs and verses.

  

• In May 1999, Ali Sethi, aged 15, witnessed the police arrest his father, Najam Sethi, who was accused of making a controversial speech in New Delhi, India. After this, Ali and his mother campaigned together for his father’s release during this challenging period.

  

• During his teenage years, his musical interests expanded to include various genres. He was captivated by Lahore’s Sufi music scene, as well as Bollywood songs, especially those created by R. D. Burman and written by Gulzar. He also found a fascination for Western pop music. In 2008, he began his training under the guidance of Ustad Naseeruddin Saami from the Delhi Gharana musical tradition. In 2012, he started learning from renowned ghazal and classical singer Farida Khanum.

  

• In the beginning, he intended to study Economics for his graduation; however, his academic path shifted after taking a course on Islamic culture in contemporary societies taught by Ali Sultaan Asani, a Kenyan-American scholar. This class led him to switch to South Asian Studies, and he eventually wrote his thesis on Anarkali, a woman believed to have been loved by Prince Salim.

  

• In 2009, Ali Sethi released his debut novel titled ‘The Wish Maker,’ addressing themes of Pakistani identity and middle-class life. He penned this novel over three years, starting with the first draft at Harvard University in 2006 and continuing in New York, USA, and Lahore, Pakistan. Reviewers lauded the book for its unique storyline and emotional portrayal. The novel’s success led to its translation into several languages, such as Italian, Dutch, German, Hindi, Chinese, and Turkish.

  

• He has contributed essays and articles to prominent newspapers and publications, including The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Guardian, The New York Review of Books, and The Caravan. His writings often advocate for an inclusive Pakistan that welcomes the customs and beliefs of all communities; however, two of his articles were once banned from publishing by The Express Tribune, a Pakistani newspaper,

  

• He marked his entry into Coke Studio Pakistan’s 8th season in 2015 with a rendition of Asad Amanat Ali Khan’s folk song, ‘Umran Langiyaan.’ He continued to contribute to various seasons of Coke Studio, collaborating on songs like ‘Aaqa’ with Abida Parveen, ‘Tinak Dhin’ with Ali Hamza and Waqar Ahsin, as well as renditions of ‘Ranjish Hi Sahi’ and ‘Gulon Main Rang.’

  

• In February 2015, Ali Sethi unveiled his first music video for the song ‘Kithay Nain Na Jori.’ He expanded his horizons by collaborating with international artists with notable projects that include ‘Mahi Mera’ in 2016 with Pakistani folk singer Jamaldin, ‘Resident Alien’ in 2017 featuring American Dhol player Sunny Jain, and five songs in 2019 alongside American music producer Noah Georgeson, including ‘Chandni Raat’ and ‘Dil Lagaayein.’ In September 2021, he composed and sang the musical narration for ‘Jungle Nama: A Story of the Sundarban,’ a book by acclaimed Indian author Amitav Ghosh.

  

• Ali Sethi achieved worldwide acclaim with his song ‘Pasoori,’ performed in the 14th season of Coke Studio Pakistan alongside Shae Gill, released in February 2022. ‘Pasoori’ achieved the milestone of 100 million YouTube views within just 90 days. As of 10 August 2023, the song has surpassed 600 million views on YouTube. ^[6]YouTube – Coke Studio

  

• The track achieved numerous milestones, including becoming the fastest song of the season to reach 1 million YouTube views, marking the first Coke Studio Pakistan song to feature on Spotify’s Viral 50 global chart. It also became the most-watched music video in the history of Coke Studio Pakistan, the most-streamed Pakistani song internationally, the most-streamed track in Pakistan in 2022, and the most-searched song globally in 2022. Additionally, it topped Spotify India’s Viral 50 chart and Spotify’s Viral 50 global chart.

• After the success of ‘Pasoori,’ Ali Sethi rose to prominence as one of the most sought-after Pakistani singers. His popularity led to an invitation to perform at the first Coke Studio Pakistan live concert at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, UAE, held in June 2023. In July 2023, he released his debut EP titled “Paniya,” marking another milestone in his musical journey.

  

• Ali Sethi’s performances have graced prestigious venues and events worldwide. He sang at Harvard University’s Arts First festival at Sanders Theater in May 2019 and performed at New York City’s renowned Carnegie Hall later that year. His Carnegie Hall performance was even displayed on NASDAQ billboards in Times Square.

  

• In September 2022, he participated in three notable events: at Brown University’s Saxena Center for Contemporary South Asia, Harvard University’s ’75 Years of Azadi: A Celebration of South Asia,’ and the O2 Arena in London. Notably, he became the second Pakistani artist to perform at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2023, adding to his list of impressive achievements.

  

• Between November 2022 and February 2023, Ali Sethi embarked on a North American Tour, captivating audiences across eleven cities in the USA and Canada. He later revealed plans for a World Tour scheduled from October to November 2023, with performances in various cities, including London (UK), Dublin (Ireland), and Dallas (Texas, USA), highlighting his growing global influence and appeal.

  

• Ali Sethi is celebrated for revitalising the traditional ghazal singing style, infusing it with contemporary elements and receiving acclaim for his innovative interpretations of classic ghazals. He has a passion for reviving overlooked poetic and musical traditions and trying to harmonize tradition with inventive exploration.

• In the face of the declining popularity of ghazals, he believes the genre has a youthful appeal. During his live performances, he delves into the ghazal’s evolution, classical ragas, and the history of the formation of Urdu words. His mission, as he expressed in an interview, is to enhance recognition and admiration for classical music and South Asian poets by means of his artistic endeavours.

  

• Due to his parent’s professions, Ali Seth grew up in an environment filled with journalists, artists, activists, and politicians who had differences of opinion. Growing up in a household of writers and activists who were even imprisoned, these formative experiences have significantly moulded his perspective.

  

• This background deeply influenced his musical philosophy, compelling him to use his songs and music videos as a platform to address pertinent social issues. Through his musical creations, Sethi explores the confluence of art, philosophy, scripture, and music. He stands as a vocal advocate for pluralism and tolerance, challenging societal norms concerning gender identity and sexuality through his music and videos.

  

• Distinguished musicians and music critics have heaped praise upon Ali Sethi. In a 2015 piece, celebrated Indian classical singer Shubha Mudgal lauded his voice as a fusion of rigorous training (Taaleem and Riyaaz) and an exceptional undertone of heartache. She observed that this distinctive quality distinguishes his singing, a trait that cannot be taught or nurtured, but rather is an enigmatic talent.

• RJ Haroon Rashid from BBC Asian Network bestowed upon him the title of ‘The King of Modern Ghazal.’ Ali Sethi has garnered widespread admiration for seamlessly merging classical Urdu poetry and ghazals with contemporary genres like pop, jazz, reggaetón, hip hop, and salsa. Notably, Indian actor-singer Ayushmann Khurrana hailed Ali’s singing in an interview, while Indian singer-rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh drew a parallel between Ali Sethi and the iconic Indian singer Mohammed Rafi.

  

• Among Sethi’s favourite authors and literary inspirations are Urdu poets like Mirza Ghalib, Daagh Dehlvi, and Faiz Ahmed Faiz and renowned writers like Leo Tolstoy, Virginia Woolf, V. S. Naipaul, Alan Hollinghurst, and Arundhati Roy.

• He is skilled in playing various musical instruments such as the keyboard, harmonium, and piano.

  

• In March 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic brought about global lockdowns, Ali Sethi organized a series of virtual concerts on Instagram. He collaborated with Indian artists like Rekha Bhardwaj, Vishal Bhardwaj, Shilpa Rao, Varun Grover, and Zakir Khan, aiming to highlight the shared heritage and culture of India and Pakistan, promoting peace between the two nations; however, this initiative was cut short in April 2020 due to a directive from the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), advising Indian artists against working with Pakistani counterparts.

  

• In January 2023, Ali Sethi decided not to sing the anthem for the 8th season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) following his father’s request to avoid potential controversy. ^[7]The Indian Express

• During the Coachella Music Festival in April 2023, fans shared Ali Sethi’s performance widely. However, some fans criticized his choice of costume, a white angarkha (a traditional robe with long sleeves), and drew comparisons to the Indian actor Ranveer Singh, known for his distinct fashion style. They humorously referred to him as ‘Pakistan ka Ranveer Singh.’ ^[8]Hindustan Times

  

• In June 2023, when the remade version of Pasoori, sung by Arijit Singh, was released in the film ‘Satyaprem Ki Katha,’ it faced criticism from many listeners. During this period, old videos of Ali Sethi praising Arijit Singh’s voice and singing style went viral. ^[9]The Free Press Journal

• Ali Sethi has a fondness for shoes and owns a collection of various stylish and fancy footwear.

  

• He has collaborated with several music labels, including True Brew and Mainstage Productions, for his musical projects.

• Ali Sethi is fond of dogs and owns a dog.