Atif Aslam Superfan - Muskan Mumtaz

Meet Muzkan Mumtaz, Atif Aslam Superfan



Since we launched Best New Bands 2011, we’ve been blown away from the outpouring of support from the finalists’ fans. Whether it’s incessant voting, or hitting up Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and fan forums to spread the gospel–we’ve encountered some fanatic artist devotees. We call them Superfans.

MTV Desi, Iggy’s sister site discovered Atif Aslam’s most passionate Aadeez (that’s what Atif Superfans call themselves) after a page-long Facebook comment professing her love for the Pakistani rock star. Meet Muskan Mumtaz, a high-school senior in the middle of applying for colleges. In between personal essays, Muskan visits the site to vote for Atif. She believes that Atif’s global fanbase can earn him the title of Best New Artist. How does she think Aadeezes can be mobilized? Muskan’s calling on every Desi to shake their family tree (yes, even the strange cousins) and get them voting for Atif!

Wanna learn what else goes on in the mind of an Aadeez? (Hint: Eight burly security guards and Lady Gaga are involved.) Read on.

Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from? What do you do? Hi :) My name is Muskan Mumtaz, I was born in Srinagar, Kashmir and I live in Washington, D.C! I’m currently a senior in high school.

Do you remember/can you describe the first time you heard Atif Aslam sing? I was first exposed to Atif’s music about seven years ago, when he released “Who Lamhein” in Mahesh Bhat’s film “Zeher.” I was completely mesmerized by his voice.

How many Atif Aslam concerts have you been to? Unfortunately I’ve only been able to attend his 2010 Spring concert in D.C. I was out of town when he performed here this past summer. Upsetting, I know.

You mentioned that you prefer his non-film songs. Which one is your favorite and why? Choosing one would be impossible! Here are my top faves:

1. “Kaun Tha” – This is so soothing. It’s so different from the rest of his songs in the sense that it’s very soft, and it has no underlying rock music.

2. “Mann Hota Hai” – First of all (and most importantly), he says my name towards the end of the song so that automatically puts it on my favorites list. Other than that, this is the perfect winter song to get depressed to. The lyrics are so beautifully hopeless, and his ability to adapt his voice to sound like he’s almost dying makes the song so believable.

3. “Rabba Sacheya” – In my opinion, this is Atif’s best rock song. I also love its religious theme, and I think it serves as the perfect comparison of Atif’s non-commercial and commercial songs. How often do you here rock songs about Islamic redemption? Exactly.

4. “Jal Pari” – No explanation necessary. This song, especially the Coke Studio version, is simply amazing.

5. “Ehsaas” – Atif’s rock live version of this song is really edgy.

6. “Hum Kis Gali” and “Meri Kahani” – His best summery breezy songs. Perfect to sing along to with all the windows open!

What is the craziest thing that you have done as a die-hard Atif Aslam fan? I’ve tackled eight burly security guards just to make eye contact with him. It was worth every bruise.

Where do you get news about him? I visit his website aadez.com, and I check his official facebook page.

Do you follow other Pakistani or South Asian musicians? Who are your other favorites? I do! I love listening to Bilal Khan, Kailash Kher, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Lomaticc, Raghav, Uzair Jaswal, Saim Bhat, etc.

If you could pick someone to sing a duet with Atif, who would it be? What song would they sing? Lady Gaga! I think that together they could create something really interesting and unique.

You are going to get a tattoo of an Atif Aslam lyric on your body. Pick a line from one of his songs that means the most to you. Tell us why. “Kuch bhi jo accha lage / Aur milay bhi / Zaroori to nahi / Sach hai per / hai Ajeeb” Rough translation: “You don’t get everything you wish for. It is strange, but this is the strange reality of life.” I love this line. I think it would be perfect for a tattoo because it could serve as a constant reminder that life can be unfair, and that we just have to accept its unfairness.

Why do you think that Atif Aslam has the potential to be voted MTV Iggy’s Best New Artist 2011? Atif has a huge fan base all over the world! I’m worried that the other contestants’ fan bases might be more tech-savvy though. We have to reach out to all the Desis to win this thing.

Does Atif Aslam represent this generation of Desi musicians? If yes, why? Definitely; and more specifically, Atif represents a generation of Pakistani musicians. In many ways Atif’s success demonstrates how Pakistan has some serious artistic potential. I think that its so important for the people to invest in creating a larger and more diverse music industry so that successful artist don’t have to turn to Mumbai for work.

What is the best way to get people to vote for Atif? Why should the world care? Facebook spamming. First: everyone needs to unblock all their aunties, uncles, and strange cousins. Second: we all need to spam the inboxes of every fob we’ve ever interacted with with links to the competition URL.

Are you excited to SEE Atif Aslam in Bollywood films or should he stick to singing? I’m super excited! Sure Bollwood has its Himesh Reshammiyas, but it has its Farhan Akhters too! I think it all depends on the director, the co-stars, and the type of role Atif would be playing.

If you could meet Atif in person, what would you ask him? “Where do you get your inspiration from?” and, of course, “Will you marry me?”

By Rohan Sheth October 26, 2011