By Muzaffar Ali

LAHORE April 08 (News Inspection) Asad Amanat Ali Khan, a classical singer hailing from Patiala, passed away 14 years ago. The late Asad Amanat was about 20 years old when his father Ustad Amanat Ali Khan died.

Assad was the eldest of his brothers. In the 70’s, Asad Amanat Ali Khan sang for many films. He received his musical training from his grandfather, the late Ustad Akhtar Hussain. Later he was also given training in singing and music by his father Ustad Amanat Ali Khan and uncle Ustad Fateh Ali Khan.

Asad Amanat Ali Khan started classical singing as a duet with his youngest uncle Ustad Hamid Ali Khan according to his family tradition. Asad Amanat Ali Khan sang hundreds of songs and lyrics for radio, television and film, in which many songs and lyrics became popular. In the 70’s Asad Amanat Ali Khan sang for many films in his famous songs “To Shama Mohabbat Hai, Mein Hoon Tera Parwana”, “Mein Tujh sey piyar kerta hon, tu mujhey zindgi sey piyara hay “, ” Umran Langiyan Paban Bhar and many other songs became popular.

Many famous singers of the subcontinent were students of his Patiala family. Former President Pervez Musharraf and former Prime Minister of Pakistan Shaukat Aziz were among his fans. He was also awarded the Presidential Medal for Excellence under Pervez Musharraf for his valuable services in the field of singing.  Asad Amanat Ali Khan at the age of 54 went to London for treatment where he suffered a heart attack on April 8, 2007 which proved fatal.