The undimmed light

‘Mahi Mera‘, an original song by Sethi released earlier
this year and features the star alongside his folk find,Jamaldin.

Ali Sethi on landing a nomination for Manto,
experimentation in music and the love of tradition.

Pakistan’s burgeoning music scene is so much more than just guitar music, made-up battles between stars, “leaked” videos and corporate ventures.

The past few years have seen the the rise of several unique artists, some of whom even made it to the LSA nomination list this year. Among them is one inimitable Ali Sethi, who has quietly and deliberately created a repertoire of songs that have helped in establishing one of the country’s finest new-age artists.

A writer who moonlights as a musician, Sethi’s ascension began with his first offering, ‘Dil Jalaney Ki Baat’ which released several years ago and eventually landed on the soundtrack of Mira Nair’s film, The Reluctant Fundamentalist.

Since then, he has released a crop of cover songs like ‘Kithay Nain Na Jori’, ‘Haal Aisa Nahin’ and ‘Yaad Mein Teri’ that have added to his growing reputation as a soulful artist. The ability to convert an old melody into something new is a strength that Sethi has used to great effect.

Ali Sethi, seen here at the LSA 2016 red carpet, landed a nomination in the Best Singer (Male) Film category for his contribution to the Manto soundtrack.

With a flair for semi-classical, Sethi who is a disciple of Ustad Naseeruddin Sami, had a phenomenal run in 2015 when he made it to the soundtrack of Sarmad Sultan Khoosat’s Manto and made a memorable Coke Studio stint in the show’s eighth year, which is no easy feat given the number of artists who perform on each season.

2016 has been equally rewarding for Sethi fans as he landed a Lux Style Award nomination in the category of Best Singer (Male) Film for the song ‘Aah Ko Chahiye’ off the Manto OST.

Though Sethi didn’t win the trophy, he made a mark during the LSAs when he joined Ali Zafar and Quratulain Balouch for a tribute track for the late Amjad Sabri and held his own against two powerful vocalists.

Those venting that Sethi needs to work on original can find comfort in the fact that his latest single, ‘Mahi Mera’, which was released earlier this year and features Sethi alongside a farmer-turned-folk singer called Jamaldin, whom Sethi discovered “at a wedding three years ago in Shergarh” is as original as it is breathtaking.

The tune, hailed by critics, came attached with a beautiful, sparse music video and signified the fact that Sethi has much more potential than he is credited for.

Currently working on a Farida Khanum documentary and his second book, Sethi is all set to make a mark once more as Coke Studio 9 gears up for a release this month.

Speaking to Instep on the sidelines of the 15th edition of the Lux Style Awards in Karachi, Sethi who resides in Lahore, spoke about his love for eastern music.

“Its developed, sophisticated and it’s a very rich world,” noted Sethi. “I have an academic, scholarly mind and I like engaging with things that are rich and traditional.”

Though known for his eastern musical flair, Sethi explained that he is planning to branch out and hopes to expand the musical palette further. 

“I want to do interesting things, having immersed myself in traditional stuff for long enough,” Sethi told Instep and added, “I feel like I’m in a position to experiment.”

Flattered at landing a singing nomination for his work on the Manto soundtrack, Sethi explained how he had a soft spot for the late and legendary Urdu giant.

“For me to be able to sing something that is related to him (Manto) and that also has joined his legacy in some way is really an exhilarating experience.” 

Unlike mainstream names who maintain that producing a full-length album is just not feasible in the current music landscape, Sethi confessed that he does have an album in the making.

“I’m working on it,” concluded Sethi, adding that he’s collaborating with musicians from around the world on it.