Shafqat Amanat Ali is a famed playback singer who is known for his riveting renditions in Bollywood films. He is a classical singer and belongs to Patiala Gharana lineage. He gained recognition by being the lead vocalist of Pakistani rock band Fuzon. In the year 2007, he was honoured with the President`s Pride of Performance Civil Award. His soulful singing has earned him recognition amongst the renowned singers of India and nominations in many prominent award ceremonies.

Early Life of Shafqat Amanat Ali
Shafqat Amanat Ali was born on 26 February 1965 to a Muslim family in Lahore, Pakistan. His father, Ustad Amanat Ali Khan, and his elder brother, Asad Amanat Ali Khan, were prominent Pakistani classical and Ghazal singers. Shafqat Amanat Ali represents the ninth generation of Patiala Gharana. He graduated from Government College University, Lahore which is presently known as GC University. The Music Society of Government College University, Lahore, led by Tariq Farani, awarded him the roll of honour. He began his classical music training at the tender age of four under the tutelage of his grandmother. He got inspiration to explore the world of music from his father and uncle, Bade Fateh Ali Khan, a noted Khayal vocalist.

Career of Shafqat Amanat Ali
Famous singer Shankar Mahadevan introduced Shafqat Amanat Ali to Bollywood. While driving to his studio one morning Shankar Mahadevan heard his hit rendition `Aankhon Ke Saagar` on radio. Impressed, he called up the radio jockey who was also his friend and got the contact number of the singer. Later Shafqat sang the song `Mitwa`, composition of Shankar Ehsaan Loy, for the Bollywood flick Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna which marked his debut in the Hindi film industry. The song became a huge hit and was enlisted in the top charts on the country earning the singer overnight stardom. Subsequently he did playback in a number of Hindi movies and rose to further fame for his unique and appealing singing style. He voiced the critically acclaimed song `Yeh Honsla` for the Bollywood movie Dor. His popular renditions `Tere Bina` and `Mora Saiyaan` were featured in Nagesh Kukunoor`s movie Hyderabad Blues 2. Apart from these he sang songs in various other Bollywood films such as I Hate Luv Storys, Patiala House, Ra.One, Jodi Breakers, Jannat 2, Murder 3, Barfi!, Satyagraha, Yaariyan, Hasee Toh Phasee and many more and worked with several prominent music directors of the country. He also lent his voice for the Pakistani movie named Ramchand Pakistani for the songs `Allah Megh De` and `Phir Wohi Raastey`.

In 2006 Shafqat Amanat Ali left the band Fuzon to follow his solo career. He launched his debut album Tabeer in the year 2008 which was based on Sufi and folk renditions. He himself composed a few songs for the album too. The album garnered great popularity and he was nicknamed as Rock Star Ustad by Saleem Merchant of the Saleem-Suleman duo. Shafqat also appeared in Indian Idol 4 in its Rubaroo episode. His second album was Kyun Dooriyan which released in 2010 which also featured a few songs that he had composed while he used to work with Fuzon. He has also performed in Coke Studio, The Dewarists and MTV Unplugged.

Achievements of Shafqat Amanat Ali
Shafqat Amanat Ali has won GIFA Best Playback Singer Male Awards in 2006 for his song `Mitwa` from Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna. Apart form this he has received nominations in a number of prestigious award functions.