The multi-talented Shiraz Uppal first appeared on the Pakistani music scene in 2001. Before that music was just a hobby for him as after doing his MBA, he joined the corporate world as a banker.
Shiraz soon realized that he was not meant for a 9 to 5 job and encouraged by his wife; he adopted music as his career.
Shiraz’s debut album Tu Hai Meri failed to create any ripples but Shiraz was not discouraged and he continued singing and composing songs. Shraz’s second album Tera Te Mera released in 2003 was very well received by music lovers making him popular both in Pakistan and abroad.
Besides singing and composing, Shiraz also owned a music studio where he produced music for singers such as Fariha Pervez, Atif Aslam, Zeb and Haniya, Amanat Ali and bands JAL and Noori. Uppal also sang a song for the Indian movie Nayak.
He was also awarded the Mirchi Music Award in 2010 for Best Upcoming Music Director (album Rabba) and Best Composer of the Year (Song: Aashhayein, Album: Rabba). The first word that comes to mind when you listen to Shiraz Uppal’s songs is soulful.
His soothing voice and melodious tunes continued to mesmerize people but Uppal himself was not content and lacked the inner peace which made him quit music for a while. However even after leaving the music industry, he could not find the peace and satisfaction he desired.
He did some soul searching when on his trip to the US and observed that music was being used as therapy to cure people. This gave him a new perspective about music and the right opportunity came soon when AR Rehman the famous and internationally known musician asked Uppal to join him to perform qawwalis at the World Peace Concert.
Uppal then started his music journey again. Uppal considers the great Rehman his guru and has also performed along with him when he (Rehman) toured India, US and Canada. Shiraz has also done the songs in movies Raanjhanaa (title track), I (Aiyla) and Lekar Hum Deewana Dil (Alehda).
Back home Uppal has many projects up his sleeves as he is doing the OSTs for Pakistani dramas and also singing and composing for Pakistani movies. He has sung songs for Teen Bahadur, Bin Roye and Karachi Se Lahore and has got a very good response so far.
