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Altaf Raja
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Altaf Raja (born 15 October 1967) is an Indian Qawwali singer.[1][2] In 1997 Altaf gained recognition with his debut album Tum To Thehre Pardesi.[3] His most recent song is Ae Sanam.[4] He uses Urdu shayari in his Songs.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Born in Nagpur to professional Qawwals Mr Ibrahim Iqbal and Mrs Rani Rooplata ji, Altaf Raja began musical training at the age of 15.[citation needed]
Career
[edit]Raja's breakthrough came in 1997 with the album Tum To Thehre Pardesi,[1] which sold 20 million copies and earned a spot in the Guinness World Records.[5][6]
Raja has also acted in Bollywood movies such as Shapath (1997),[citation needed] Yamraaj (1998), Mother (1999), and Ghanchakkar (2013).
Albums
[edit]| Year | Album | Artist | Music Director | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Tum To Thehre Pardesi[1] | Altaf Raja | Mohd. Shafi Niyazi | Venus |
| 1999 | Mujhe Apna Bana Lo | Altaf Raja | Mohd. Shafi Niyazi | Venus |
| 1999 | Aaj Ki Raat Na Ja Pardesi[7] | Altaf Raja | Mohd. Shafi Niyazi | Venus |
| 2000 | Do Dil Haare | Altaf Raja | Altaf Raja, Vaishnav Deva | Venus |
| 2000 | Dil Ke Tukde Hazaar Huye[7] | Altaf Raja | Altaf Raja, Vaishnav Deva | Venus |
| 2001 | Sai Ka Deewana | Altaf Raja, Farid Sabari Jaipuri, Ram Shankar | Venus | |
| 2001 | Dil Ka Haal Sune Dilwala[7] | Altaf Raja | Altaf Raja, Vaishnav Deva | Venus |
| 2001 | Altaf and Adnan Ek Saath[8] | Altaf Raja, Adnan Sami | Altaf Raja, Adnan Sami, Vaishnav Deva | Venus |
| 2001 | Taaza Hawa Lete Hain | Altaf Raja | Altaf Raja, Vaishnav Deva | Venus |
| 2002 | Khilona Jaan Kar[9] | Altaf Raja | Venus | |
| 2003 | Ek Dard Sabhi Ko Hota Hai[10] | Altaf Raja | Altaf Raja, Vaishnav Deva | Venus |
| 2003 | Market[11] | Altaf Raja | Venus | |
| 2004 | Dukaan[12] | Altaf Raja | Venus | |
| 2006 | Tere Ishq Ne Maalamaal Kiya[13] | Altaf Raja | ||
| 2006 | Harrjaiie[7] | Altaf Raja | ||
| 2007 | Koi Patthar Se Na Mare | Altaf Raja | ||
| 2009 | Chalo Maikhane Chalo | Altaf Raja | Venus | |
| 2012 | Ashqon Ki Baraat | Altaf Raja | Altaf Raja | Venus |
| 2015 | BumGola | Altaf Raja, Raj Mittal | Akashraj | Zee Music Company |
| 2020 | Ae Sanam[14] | Altaf Raja, Payal Dev | Payal Dev | Apni Dhun |
| 2021 | Saath Kya Nibhaoge[15] | Altaf Raja, Tony Kakkar | Tony Kakkar | Desi Music Factory |
Movies as playback singer
[edit]- Vickida No Varghodo (2022) - Gujarati movie
- Tamasha (2015)
- Dil Lagana - Hunterrr (2015)
- Jholu Ram - Ghanchakkar (2013)
- Madholal: Keep Walking (2010)
- Toonpur Ka Superhero (2010)
- Market (2003)[11]
- Tumse Kitna - Company (2002)
- Aaapka Naam kya - Benaam (1999)
- Mother (1999)
- Pardesi Babu (1998)
- Keemat: They Are Back (1998)
- Hayo Rabba Pyar Ho Gaya - Tirchhi Topiwale (1998)
- Harjai (2007)
- Hum Hain Aise Chore - Yamraaj (1998)
- Peelo Ishq Di Wisky - Mard (1998)
- Karlo Pyar Karlo - Chandaal (1998)
- Ishq Aur Pyar Ka Maza Lijiye - Shapath (1997)
Movies as composer
[edit]- Dukaan: Pila House (2004)
- Market (2003)[11]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Altaf makes a comeback". The Times of India. 30 October 2007. Archived from the original on 30 March 2013. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
- ^ "Altaf Raja and Kainaaz back with Malaamal". IndiaGlitz. 26 October 2006. Archived from the original on 11 February 2007. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
- ^ Pillai, Varsha (21 April 2006). "Altaf Raja goes the hip-hop way". CNN-IBN. Archived from the original on 5 February 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
- ^ "Post his comeback song Ae Sanam with Payal Dev, Altaf Raja to release Kya Baat Hai". www.indulgexpress.com. 21 October 2020.
- ^ "Meet tailor-turned-singer who was listed in Guinness World Records with just 1 superhit song; later disappeared". DNA India. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- ^ "Altaf Raja: "Tum To Thahre Pardesi / Awara Hawa Ka Jhoka" Songs Became Superhit 28 Years Ago — Know Where the Singer Is Now". News18 (Hindi). Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Altaf Raja back with Harjaiie". IndiaGlitz.com. Archived from the original on 25 April 2006. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
- ^ "ALTAF AND ADNAN EK SAATH (Venus)". The Tribune. 14 September 2001. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
- ^ "Khilona Jaan Kar Altaf Raja Venus Rs. 38". The Hindu. 16 September 2002. Archived from the original on 19 October 2003. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
- ^ "Ek dard sabhi ko hota hai Altaf Raja Venus Rs. 38". The Hindu. 6 January 2003. Archived from the original on 4 July 2003. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
- ^ a b c "Market Altaf Raja Venus Rs. 42". The Hindu. 15 September 2003. Archived from the original on 27 October 2003. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
- ^ "Dukaan Venus". The Hindu. 10 May 2004. Archived from the original on 1 August 2004. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
- ^ "Altaf Raja and Kainaaz back with 'Malaamal'". IndiaGlitz.com. Archived from the original on 11 February 2007. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
- ^ "A good melodious song will always be a hit: Altaf Raja". Hindustan Times. 13 October 2020.
- ^ "Check Out Latest Hindi Song Official Teaser - 'Saath Kya Nibhaoge' Sung By Tony Kakkar And Altaf Raja | Hindi Video Songs - Times of India". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
External links
[edit]- Altaf Raja at IMDb
Altaf Raja
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Biography
Early life and family
Altaf Raja was born on October 15, 1967, in Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.[4] He was raised in a musical household, with his father, Ibrahim Iqbal, and mother, Rani Roop Lata, both serving as professional Qawwali singers.[11][4] Altaf has one brother and two sisters, growing up immersed in the traditions of Qawwali performances that his family regularly conducted.[4] From a young age, Raja was exposed to music through these familial gatherings and performances, which shaped his early interest in the art form despite his parents' emphasis on education.[11] However, he defied his family's wishes by dropping out of school after Class IX to pursue music full-time, even taking up work as a tailor in a shop to support himself financially during this period.[12] This personal resolve later led him to seek formal musical training.[12]Education and early influences
Altaf Raja received limited formal education, attending Antonio De Souza High School in Mumbai up to the fifth grade before returning to Nagpur, where he later dropped out after the ninth grade due to a lack of interest and a growing passion for music.[13][12] To support himself financially amid family hardships, he worked as a tailor in a local shop during his teenage years, an occupation his parents encouraged as a practical alternative to further schooling.[13][12] His musical training began in his late teens—accounts vary between ages 15 and 18—initially under family guidance, as he expressed a sudden desire to learn the harmonium and singing to his mother, drawing from his family's background in Qawwali performances.[13][14] His parents, relenting to his persistence, arranged formal instruction with local mentors, including training under Pandit Govindprasad Jaipurwale in the traditions of Qawwali and ghazal.[14] Key early influences included his father's devotional Qawwali renditions, which he often accompanied alongside his mother during family performances, instilling a deep appreciation for Sufi poetry and melodic expression.[13] Raja's initial forays into music involved amateur Qawwali performances at local events in Nagpur, where he honed his skills before transitioning to professional stages in the early 1990s.[13] Nagpur served as a vital cultural and inspirational hub for his development, with its vibrant musical circles and community gatherings fostering his raw, emotive style rooted in regional traditions.[13][12] This connection to his hometown profoundly shaped his entry into music, blending personal hardships with artistic aspiration.Musical career
Debut and breakthrough
Altaf Raja entered the professional music scene in the early 1990s, beginning with minor recordings for Venus Records, including his first Urdu devotional album Sajda Rab Ko Kar Le in 1993, which failed to gain traction commercially.[15] Subsequent releases in the same devotional qawwali style also underperformed, limiting his early efforts to local performances and small-scale productions.[14] His breakthrough arrived in 1997 with the release of the album Tum To Thehre Pardesi by Venus Records, featuring the titular track that fused qawwali traditions with romantic pop elements.[16] The song's poignant lyrics and soulful delivery resonated widely, propelling the album to top Indian music charts within weeks of its October launch and reportedly sell over 20 million copies worldwide.[17][14] This success earned the album a reported Guinness World Record for the highest-selling non-film Indian album, with over 7 million cassettes sold in a single day.[2][1][18] The album's unprecedented popularity sparked a rapid rise to fame in the late 1990s, generating intense media buzz and leading to nationwide live performances that showcased Raja's emotive qawwali-infused style.[14][2] However, transitioning from his prior role as a tailor in Mumbai to overnight celebrity brought significant challenges, including the immense pressure to replicate the debut's blockbuster success amid shifting industry expectations.[2][6]Discography
Altaf Raja has released more than 20 studio albums since his debut, primarily under labels such as Venus and T-Series, with his lyrics frequently incorporating Urdu shayari for emotional depth.[19] His early work blended pop and Qawwali elements in romantic themes, while later albums evolved toward more introspective ghazal-focused compositions.[20] Notable sales highlights include multi-million copies for his initial releases, particularly the debut album, which achieved a reported Guinness World Record for the highest-selling non-film album with over 20 million units sold.[18] Production often featured collaborations with musicians like Mohd. Shafi Niyazi and Vaishnav Deva, emphasizing melodic Qawwali arrangements. Key studio albums and notable releases are listed chronologically below, focusing on original works and significant collaborations.| Year | Album Title | Label/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Tum To Thehre Pardesi | Venus; debut album with Mohd. Shafi Niyazi; title track sold over 7 million cassettes in a single day.[1][21] |
| 1999 | Mujhe Apna Bana Lo | Venus; early romantic pop-Qawwali fusion.[20] |
| 1999 | Aaj Ki Raat Na Ja Pardesi | Venus; features shayari-infused tracks.[22] |
| 2000 | Do Dil Haare | Venus; collaboration elements with devotional influences. |
| 2000 | Dil Ke Tukde Hazaar Huye | T-Series; multi-million seller emphasizing heartbreak themes. |
| 2001 | Altaf and Adnan Ek Saath | T-Series; notable collaboration with Adnan Sami.[23] |
| 2001 | Sai Ka Deewana | Venus; with Farid Sabri Jaipuri and Ram Shankar; devotional Qawwali tracks.[24] |
| 2003 | Market | T-Series; pop-oriented release.[25] |
| 2006 | Harrjaiie | T-Series; romantic fusion style. |
| 2006 | Tere Ishq Ne Maalamaal Kiya | T-Series; incorporates Urdu poetry.[20] |
| 2006 | Aaj Ki Raat Na Jaa Pardesi | T-Series re-release variant; extended tracks.[22] |
| 2010 | Dil Diya Dard Liya | T-Series; shift toward ghazal elements. |
| 2012 | Ashkon Ki Baraat | T-Series; emotional shayari-driven songs. |
| 2015 | Bumgola | Zee Music Company; collaboration with Raj Mittal.[20] |
| 2016 | Voice of Romance - Altaf Raja | T-Series; compilation of romantic hits with new ghazals. |
| 2017 | Dard-e-Tanhai - Altaf Raja | T-Series; ghazal-focused solitude themes. |
| 2018 | Altaf Raja Ke Dard Bhare Nagme | T-Series; pain-infused tracks. |
| 2020 | Ae Sanam | T-Series; notable single collaboration with Payal Dev.[26] |
| 2021 | Saath Kya Nibhaoge | T-Series; with Tony; recent ghazal evolution.[20] |
| 2022 | Nagpur Ke Shahenshah | T-Series; reflective later work. |

