A self-taught musician, Fahmil Khan, started off his career in the UAE by organizing jam sessions in cafes before slowly moving on to private music all over the world. He has been travelling globally with his band for live shows in countries like Tanzania, Thailand, Cambodia, and Bahrain, and he has recently bagged awards in Dubai for the best singer-influencer.
I am an electronics engineer. Turned self-taught musician Currently, I am the singer and guitarist of my band, ' Indo Pak, in Dubai and our forte is Bollywood pop, Sufi, retro, and contemporary numbers. I've come a long way from playing small jam sessions at local cafes to performing alongside big music legends like Shankar Mahadevan and Vikram Shekhar.
Dubai has helped me grow professionally and personally. I have seen Dubai transform and evolve, and it never ceases to amaze me. That is what inspires me to grow and change. It has been great to accept me in a field that is competitive but has also given so many aspiring musicians a platform to showcase their talent, particularly in the last 5 years where there has been a dramatic change in the music scene. Living and growing up in Dubai has taught me that nothing is impossible!
I opened Vishal Shekhar's Ishq Wala Love concert at the Dubai World Trade Centre back in 2019 and have performed on various platforms in Dubai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, and travelled to many other countries with my band, like Tanzania, Cambodia, Thailand, and Bahrain. I have also released my original songs ' Kehta Hai Dil ' and ' Oye Rabba ' on Zee Music, which have touched many hearts, and eight other originals on my Spotify channel.
2.When did you first decide you wanted to pursue music, and how did you start?
I have always been passionate about music. What started off as occasional strumming on the guitar from YouTube tutorials led to casual jam sessions at local cafes. Things escalated from there, and by word of mouth, I was given the opportunity to perform at private gigs as well as popular venues around Dubai.
It was then that I realized I was getting paid for something I love doing, and that didn't really seem like a chore. Engineering was about connecting with equipment, circuits, and technology. Music, on the other hand, connects with emotion and people. That was a game-changer for me!
3.Who is your favourite artist, and why?
I was always inspired by and grew up listening to Rafi Saab and Kishore Da. I was always amazed by their versatility in presenting the songs they have sung. In the 90s, I was inspired by Udit Narayan and Kumar Sanu. I also love Sonu Nigam and Arijit Singh.
4.Can you throw some light on the opportunities one gets as a singer?
I was quite fortunate that the music scene started flourishing in Dubai, and I started getting a lot of opportunities to perform in various clubs and for private events and weddings, as I used to showcase my talent regularly through social media.
Social media is of utmost importance in today's day and age. It is a way of reaching the masses in their own comfort zone. Not everyone who likes my music can attend my gigs, so I ensure I post my performances and constantly update my newsfeed to reach a network of people who can still catch glimpses and feel like they were part of it. I have grown through social media, and it is through this and the wonderful people who listen to me that I have gained new opportunities. It has truly been a humbling experience.
5. Is format training required, or can one train themselves purely on the basis of talent?
I am an absolutely self-taught musician and never realized the importance of learning the basics, but over the years I have realized that vocal training is quite important to polish your skills. Now I have started taking online vocal training courses and have started seeing a lot of difference in my level of singing when I compare, so I would definitely recommend inborn talents to polish their skills with format training.
6. What piece of advice would you like to give to future and aspiring artists?
Never give up on your dreams. If you remain consistent in what you are doing, a lot of doors will open, and you will definitely get where you want to go. It is all about trusting your talent and the passion inside you.
Brief Bio:
Music for UAE-based musician Fahmil Khan is a personal journey that has helped him get in touch with his soul and find his purpose. It is not a "career path," but a feeling that makes him the person he is. Fahmil Khan completed his degree in electronic engineering and wanted to be a techie, but his passion for music and ambition to become a playback singer saw him leave his engineering career. He learned the art of music and is a self-trained vocalist and guitarist. To chase his dream, Fahmil started organising jam sessions in the reputed cafes of the UAE. His sessions were loved by many, which paved the way for Fahmil to start private shows in many countries around the world. His shows got jam-packed and sold out in no time. This was his moment, and he never looked back.
With performances live at popular venues in the UAE and India( Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kerala), Fahmil has also performed in association with legends like Vishal Shekhar and Shankar Ehsan Loy. "Life is all about taking risks and getting out of your comfort zone. I am glad that I chose music over engineering and also succeeded in it," he stated. The singer has the credential of being the first Bollywood musician to give a solo performance at the Sikka Art Fair in Dubai. His band, named ‘Indo Pak, mostly performs Bollywood retro, Sufi, pop, and contemporary music.
His original compositions, ' Kehta Hai Dil ' and 'Oye Rabba, released on Zee Music, have touched many hearts. He has also released his two Punjabi tracks recently, ' Beparwaiyan' and ' Maahi Mera, which have won many hearts. He has also released four other originals on his Spotify, namely Hasratein, Dil Ke Kareeb, Kya Kehna, and ' Nazdeekiyan' .
Interviewed By- Anshika Garg
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