Founder and Chairman of Zindagi Trust
Born: N/A
Profession: Singer, Social Worker
Affiliation(s): Zindagi Trust
Citizenship: Pakistani
Profile Shehzad Roy was born in Karachi, Pakistan. He made his debut in music in 1995 with his first album Zindagi. At the time, he was only in grade 11. Even though he went on to get a Bachelors in Commerce, it was clear to him that music was going to be his career. From a young age, he was struck by the huge class divide in Pakistan's society. Zindagi Trust He established a non- government organization, Zindagi Trust, in 2002. The organization's objective was to provide quality education to the underprivileged children of Pakistan.He uses the proceeds from his concerts to fund the trust's operations. I-am-paid-to-learn At the age of 25, in 2002, Roy pioneered the concept of I-am-paid-to-learn that provides child laborers with monetary compensation for attending Zindagi Trust educational units.The vocational and practical teaching methods alog with incentives for children to attend make it a viable solution to Pakistan's urban illiteracy. Roy has established 35 educational units with 3000 children being educated in the most impoverished regions of Pakistan. Advocate for quality government education Even though the program was a great success, Roy realized that the “I am paid to learn” initiative was not enough.In 2006, Roy became an advocate for quality government education for all in Pakistan. Zindagi Trust along with Bookgroup (a partner organization) attained management of SMB Fatima Jinnah Girls Government School in Karachi, from the government. Roy’s objective was to turn around this public school into a model school and then push the government to replicate it in all public schools of Pakistan. Replaced out-dated government textbooks For the first time in the history of Pakistan, Zindagi Trust and Bookgroup replaced out-dated government textbooks with thought- provoking and imaginative textbooks. Modern learning modules were introduced such as art, photography, rollerblading, rowing to nurture individual talent. These students are now participating in sports and art competitions and are winning against top private schools. Music career As Roys’s humanitarian reach grew, so did the tone of his songs. He went from mainly singing romantic songs to songs that reflected social issues. 2005 In order to promote cross-border cultural exchange with India, he sang a hit duet with Indian singer Sukhbir in 2005. To promote cultural awareness through music, Shehzad Roy brought Bryan Adams to Pakistan for a charity concert to aid the victims of the tragic October 2005 earthquake. Bryan Adams commended Shehzad Roy for his efforts in education. Adams also pointed out that one need not look for inspiration elsewhere when it came to material for music, as there was so much to write and sing about right here in Pakistan. 2007 In 2007, Shehzad Roy came out with a musical collaboration between him and queen of Sufi soul, Abida Parveen. Previously , she has never collaborated with any other musician on any project and this is also her first proper music video to date.The song, titled Zindagi, was rooted on his latest venture — Equality in Education. Shehzad Roy isn’t the primary vocalist, leaving that to Abida, and prefers to sing only the title throughout the composition: Aao de dein inhein zindagi (Let’s give them life). According to Roy, she added an amazing spiritual element to the song. 2008 In 2008 Roy came out with a bang with the release of his socio-political defiant album, Qismat Apnay Haat Mein, (Fate Lies in One’s Own Hands) that he launched at the Karachi Juvenile Prison at Central Jail, in July 2008. He underscored the need to rehabilitate Pakistan’s justice system that ignores the pitiable conditions of many prisoners, most of whom have spent many years in jail just waiting on their court hearing. Qismet Apnay Haath Mein in 2008 While too many musicians in Pakistan seem content to skirt over issues of socio-political importance, treading the same dregs of human emotion again and again. However, after the boisterous Saali, Shehzad Roy has decided to pen an album of tracks that has more than its fair share of swipes at the current elites in charge of the nation. Qismet Apnay Haath Mein has generated a substantial amount of hype and fanfare for the seemingly controversial material embedded within the album. Of the songs on the album, Laga Reh, is a stark commentary on the way our nation is run, with the usual Shehzad Roy manner of song; lots of jovial guitar riffs running around coupled with bhangra-esque percussion. Bollywood The soundtrack of Akshay Kumar's movie "Khatta Meetha" features a song by Shehzad Roy. The song, titled "Bullshit" has been composed, written and sung in Pakistan. Khatta Meetha is a political satire revealing the rampant corruption in the Indian bureaucratic system. Akshay Kumar was looking for a theme track for his movie when he first met Shehzad Roy. He was immediately taken by Roy's song "Laga Reh" and "Qismat Apne Haath Mein" and asked Roy to make an original song with the same theme. Albums Zindagi (1995) Darshan (1997) Teri Soorat (1999) Rab Jaanay (2002) Buri Baat Hai (2005) Qismat Apney Haath Mein (2008) Khatta Meetha OST (2010) Awards & Recognitions 1999 Ptv World Awards- Best Pop singer 2003 1st Indus Music Awards- Best Male Artist 2004 Tamgha-e-Imtiaz 2005 Indus Music Video Awards- Best Performer in a Video (Saali) 2006 Sitara-e-Eisaar 2006 Indus Style Awards- Best Stylish Song 2006 3rd Indus Music Awards- Best Pop Song (Saali) 2006 3rd Indus Music Awards- Best patriotic song (Hum Aik Hain) 2008 Torch Bearer for 2008 Beijing Olympics 2008 Mtv Style Awards- Best video (laga reh) 2009 Mtv Music Awards- Best lyrics (laga reh), Best pop song (laga reh) 2009 Patricia Blunt Koldyke Fellow 2009 Lux Style Awards- Best album (Qismat Apne Haath Mein), Best video (laga reh)
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