Saturday, November 27, 2010

Musical Enigma: Mr. Danish Ali

 Systemers comprise of an interesting mix of individuals, hosting and honing in themselves range of talents. Every man and woman here, when investigated upon reveals a unique flair for some form of art.

This time, we will be bringing under the spotlight a man who is quite well known in Systems for his unique set of talents, his good natured humor, down to earth helpful nature and amazing management skills. Yes, we are talking about none other than Mr. Danish Ali. While he is known in System's circle for his acting, singing and music, we will be specifically focusing of his musical talents.

A lot of you have enjoyed his musical performances and others who haven't as yet will hopefully soon get a chance to do so. He has proved himself a master on keyboard. We managed to get a hold of him and ask him few questions regarding his hobby of music. You will also have a unique chance to listen to his own creations as well. But first, we leave you in conversation with Danish...



At what age did you start to play the keyboard?

Learning keyboard was never intended for a profession but as a hobby, and that might be the reason I never took it seriously and practiced it properly. Except that whenever I feel depress it aids me to ease up and carry on with a smile on my face. So, I don’t exactly remember when I started playing.

However, there is an interesting story that when I was 12 years old, my cousin had a Casio toy keyboard which was usually hidden in some closet. So whenever they are not present, I secretly used to play with it. One day, my uncle caught my playing, but when he heard some tunes that I was playing, he was so impressed that he wanted me to learn it properly.

As a result, at the age of 15, I started with learning of Harmonium from Ustad Mubarak Hussain Khan (Late) who taught me the basics and trained me with the traditional classical music.

After a year, I switched to playing keyboard under the guidance of Ghayaz Bazmi. He is by profession a civil engineer and a very fastidious personality. He is like a counselor to me as he guided me selflessly not only the keyboard but also how to live a life!
Later on, due to college/university studies all my music lessons & practices clogged.
It was only for about approximately 15 months of properly studying keyboard playing.


Why did you choose to learn the keyboard? What do you like about this instrument?

Since, we are living in a ‘Computer Age’ and from musical instrument perspective; a keyboard provides almost everything that one can wish to play. From Sitar to Guitars, from Tablas to Rock styles; one can have a wide variety of complete musical instruments in one single piece. This was the main reason for me to pick this instrument and enjoy the world of music.


Was there any individual who influenced your decision?

At my primary education (Grade I-V), we had a musical instructor who was blind but he was unbelievable at playing keyboard. So, I can say that, he was my first inspiration. Then there is Adnan Sami, Yani and A.R Rehman, who really inspired me with their musical skills.



What type of music do you enjoy playing the most?

Well, it depends on my mood, the chords that first punch after I click the start button or anything good that I hear. But usually I like Soft, Old Pakistani/Indian classics and my own creations


Do you practice? How long every day or week?

When I was learning I used to practice about average 2 hours in every 2-3 days. However, after that it goes to one day a week then 2 week a month and now days, due to SDLC (SystemsLtd. Daily Life Cycle) it has gone to months.


Favorite performing group? Favorite song?

Any one who is playing good music is my favorite, but specifically, in bands - Eagles, Junoon, Aaroh and from individuals Nusrate Fateh Ali Khan, Sonu Nigam, Sajjad Ali and many more.


What do you like to do when you are not playing keyboard? Any other hidden talents we should know about?

Well if you have witnessed any Systems Limited AD in past 2-3 years, you must be familiar with my other talents. Besides playing keyboard, I have been involved in other arts like acting, scripting, singing and composing.


Have you ever thought of playing live for Systemers?

I have at numerous occasions.


Will you be willing to give lesson to any one if they are interested? If yes? What is the quality you hope your students would have?

I would love to transfer whatever knowledge I have gain of keyboard and music.
However, there is a fee for it and that is the person should be sincere, fortitude and should show me results with his practice.


Any message to those who want to learn to play this instrument?

I am no expert or professional and it also sound like I am too old but I have one message for everyone…With Full Devotion Follow Your Dreams!

Links to Danish Ali's Music:

Listen to: Nagin
Listen to: Just Music 
Listen to: Filbadi 
Listen to: Creation1  
Listen to: Techno 2
Listen to: Soft Track
Listen to: Just Music
Listen to: Sona Na Chandi
Listen to: Koi Jab Tumhara
Listen to: Janay Kahan Gaye Woh Din
Listen to: Dil Ho Gaya hai teera Deewana



Tuesday, November 16, 2010

SRC Tape Ball Tournament 2010

List of Registered Teams so far:



Team Name: Eliminators-11
Color: Black
Motto: The Riders Of The Storm

Team Members:

1. Faisal Iqbal
2. Faizan Ashraf
3. Nasir Imran
4. Naushad Qamar
5. Usman Irshad
6. Waqas Ali
7. Saad Saleem
8. Umair Mufti
9. Uzair Arif
10. Muhammad Ali
11. Tariq Afzal
12. Kamil Mushtaq
13. Faizan Shaikh



Team Name: Systems Lions
Team Color: RED
Motto: Believe in ourselves because WE are the best

Team Members:

  1. Ali Yousuf
  2. Arsalan Hassan
  3. Usman Ali Khan
  4. Ahad Zubair
  5. Jehanzeb Ghauri
  6. Warood Chaudhary
  7. Junaid Warsi
  8. Fahad Nouman
  9. Shane Hussain
  10. Raheel Mirza
  11. Farhan Raza

Team Name: Garlics Eleven
Color: Blue
Motto: Garlics Garlics on the way!!!

Team Members:

1. Asad Zaidi ( C )
2. Sikander Ahmed ( VC )
3. Tauseef Ahmed
4. Hassan Yousuf
5. Walee Muhammed
6. Saqib Saeed
7. Areeb Wasif
8. Danish Hassan
9. Syed Muhammad Ahmed
10. Syed Rizwan Zafar
11. Rehan Ahmed
12. Khawaja Mohammad Ali


Team Name: Strikers
Color: Green

Team Members:

1. Ghazanfer ( c )
2. Haroon (VC)
3. Amir
4. Hasnain Alibhai
5. Hasnain Raza
6. Naveed Surani
7. Aziz
8. Tauseef
9. Sohail
10. Faisal Qadir
11. Irfan
12. Imran
13. Noman


Team Name: Ghost Riders
Color: White

Team Members:

1. Sameer (Captain)
2. Abdul Mannan
3. Yaseen
4. Osama
5. Ali Bachlani
6. Vaqas Masood
7. Ali Siddique
8. Jamal
9. Waqas
10. Arif
11. Fahad Wali
12. Rizwan


Team Name: Veteran’s 11
Color: Grey
Motto: Have fun + dinner

Team Members:

1. Sajid Hamid
2. Siraj Uddin Mulla
3. Shahid Masood
4. Khurram Majeed
5. Syed Saud Akhter
6. Arsalan Rashid
7. Farrukh Riyadh
8. Danish Ali
9. Komail Abbas Noori
10. Azam Farooq
11. Mushtaq Patni
12. Afzal Wali

Friday, November 5, 2010

Life is a Game

Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them - work, family, health, friends and spirit and you're keeping all of these in the air.You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls - family, health, friends and spirit - are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for Balance in your life.

How?


§ Don't undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others. It is because we are different that each of us is special.

§ Don't set your goals by what other people deem important. Only you know what is best for you.

§ Don't take for granted the things closest to your heart. Cling to them as you would your life, for without them, life is meaningless.

§ Don't let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past or for the future. By living your life one day at a time, you live all the days of your life.

§ Don't give up when you still have something to give. Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.

§ Don't be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect. It is this fragile thread that binds us to each together.

§ Don't be afraid to encounter risks. It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.

§ Don't shut love out of your life by saying it's impossible to find time. The quickest way to receive love is to give; the fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly; and the best way to keep love is to give it wings!

§ Don't run through life so fast that you forget not only where you've been, but also where you are going.

§ Don't forget, a person's greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated. Don't be afraid to learn. Knowledge is weightless, a treasure you can always carry easily.

§ Don't use time or words carelessly. Neither can be retrieved. Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored each step of the way...



by Bryan Dyson, CEO Coca Cola 
Submitted by: Danish Mustafa