Abu Dhabi: When Tayyab Tahir won the Camp Ka Champ singing contest for the UAE’s labour community in 2015 in Dubai, a star was born in Al Salam Living City, a housing complex for workers in Abu Dhabi.
The Pakistani catering supervisor, who was crowned the winner along with his Indian colleague Deepak Sharma, is inching closer to his real stardom with the launch of his first single ‘Beqadra’.
Having chosen the stage name Tayyab Arshmaan, the 27-year-old released the Punjabi music video on YouTube on July 6.
Since then, it has become viral with over 600,000 views.
This is also another India-Pakistan friendship venture for Tayyab who has been leading a band of Indian and Pakistani singers from Al Salam Living City — City Rockers — after the Camp Ka Champ victory.
“In the band, in the camp and even outside, I have many Indian friends here. Indians are very close to my heart. I wish to convey the message of peace and love between the two nations through my work,” said Tayyab who has worked with Indian and Pakistani friends and professionals in ‘Beqadra’ as well.
The concept story is by Surbhi Wali, a Dubai-based Indian Kathak dancer-cum-choreographer who recently won Archerz Mrs India beauty pageant in India. An HR consultant by profession, and a mother of two, Surbhi has also acted opposite Tayyab in the song.
The video is directed by Saleem Khan from Pakistan while music is by Ayaz Sonu. Pakistani lyricist A.M. Fankaar (Asif Munir), who has worked with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, and Jasmin Walia have penned the lyrics.
Amar Audio based in Punjab, India, has released the music video shot in various stunning locations in Dubai.
“This is a dream project for most of us. It was my dream to sing a song in a music video and highlight myself. It was also Surbhi’s dream to act. Saleem Khan had always wanted to work in Dubai. So this is like a dream come true for us.”
- Tayyab Arshmaan | Pakistani catering supervisor
He said he contacted Saleem Khan via Facebook when Surbhi came up with the idea for the video after they started working on another project.
“Since we were taking more time on that project, we decided to work on Beqadra and release it first.”
Tayyab said he used to keep aside small portions of his salary every month for fulfilling this dream.
“I used to fly home every six months or at least once a year. I have not been able to visit my family for some 18 months now.”
His family includes his father, mother and three younger sisters.
Tayyab did his schooling in Saudi Arabia where his father used to run a department store. Following his graduation in information technology in Pakistan, he came over to the UAE, looking for a job.
“Though my job is not related to my education or passion, I don’t wish to leave this place now. This is where I got a new identity as a singer. My company, Four N Catering, and my colleagues support me a lot.”
The dashing Lahori youth, who said his grandfather was a poet from Gurdaspur in Punjab in the undivided India, wishes to make his own mark in the music industry in India and Pakistan.
