Shabir Tabare Alam, known professionally as Shabir Sulthan, is a Singaporean singer-songwriter, record producer, music composer, and performer. Most of his lyrics are in Tamil.
Shabir Sulthan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Shabir Tabare Alam |
| Born | Singapore |
| Genres | Indiepop, Film Score, World, Rock, Folk |
| Occupation(s) | Music producer, composer, arranger, songwriter, vocalist, lyricist, actor |
| Instrument(s) | Synth, harmonium, keyboards, guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Labels | Shabir Music, Think Music India, Sony Music India |
| Website | shabirmusic |
He won the inaugural singing competition Vasantham Star 2005,[1] hosted by MediaCorp Vasantham TV Channel. His Yaayum song from the film Sagaa was a sleeper hit in India and around the world.[2]
After performing in the 2007 National Day Parade, Shabir noted there weren’t many songs performed in Tamil. He composed "Singai Naadu",[3] a Tamil song for the 2012 National Day Parade.[4] The Singapore Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, praised the song,[5] and Shabir won the Singapore Youth Award,[6] the national honour the Singapore government gives young achievers.
Shabir has starred in several Eaglevision Mediacorp and Wei Yu Films TV series. He played the lead role of Nantha, the anti-hero, in Vettai, which translates to "The Hunt.” It premiered in 2010, with wide viewership across Singapore and Malaysia.[7] In 2011, Shabir won Best Actor in the Pradhana Vizha Awards for his performance.
Shabir played Vettaiyan[8] in Naam 2, a sequel to the hit series, Naam. He also played Major Habibullah Khan, a former war hero, in a period drama This Land Is Mine. He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for this role at the Asian Television Awards.
Personal life
editShabir was born in Singapore. His father is from Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, and speaks Urdu/Tamil. His mother speaks Malay/Tamil.[9] Shabir composed his first song at the age of 12.
Career
editShabir started composing when he was 12 years old.[10] Self-taught on the keyboard, he studied Hindustani Classical Music, learning the violin from Sri Veereshwar Madhri and guitar from Steeve Vatz. Shabir ultimately received a bachelor's degree in music production and composition.
Shabir is a leading recording artist in Singapore, and he has released three albums: Alaipayuthey,[11] TraffiQ, and Swasam-Scents of Prose. His music has various influences, including music pop, indie, alternative rock, and world music. His lyrics include wordplay, metaphor, and experiments with cadence.[9] His early metal and rock favorites, such as Rage Against The Machine and Metallica, have influenced his vocal style.
Film Music
Sagaa was Shabir’s debut as a film composer, and the score received critical praise.[12] The film's lead single, "Yaayum,” was a hit on release, receiving critical and fan acclaim.[13] Yaayum has had over 124 million YouTube views and over 13 million Spotify streams. Shabir is the only Singaporean who scores movies in India.[14]
Independent Music
Shabir is a prime leader of the international Tamil music movement.[15] His first album, "Alaipayuthey,” was released in 2005. His next album, TraffiQ (Dejavu & Nagaravaytai), was regularly played on local and international channels, including MTV Asia[16] and Channel V,[17] and increased his exposure throughout South East Asia.
"Swasam – Scents of Prose" produced by High Breed Media, was released on 7 April 2012. The album combined various musical styles and features poetry recitations by prominent Singaporeans, including the nation's 6th President, S.R Nathan, Minister S Iswaran, former NMP Viswa Sadasivan, and others.[18]
Controversy
editShabir won the inaugural Vasantham Star competition in 2005, but some controversy surrounded it.
His initial performances received mixed reviews, with focus on his pronunciation and use of slang. He made it through the quarter-finals, but lost in the semifinals, angering many fans. A petition signed by over 500 people was submitted to the producers, who created a wild card entry that allowed Shabir back into the competition and his win.[19]
In 2021, Shabir performs and sing the National Day Parade theme song "The Road Ahead", together with fellow Singaporean singers Linying, Sezairi and Shye Ann Brown.
In 2024, Shabir performs "Majulah Singapura" at the National Day Parade.
Filmography/Discography
edit- As Playback Singer
| Year | Title | Language | Song |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Vathikuchi | Tamil | Singer-Songwriter for "Amma Wake Me Up" & "Ari Unnai" |
| 2013 | Pranam Kosam | Telugu | Singer for Erugara |
| 2014 | Arima Nambi | Tamil | Singer for "Yaaro Yaar Aval" |
| 2016 | Babu Bangaram | Telugu | Singer-Songwriter for Babu Bangaram Theme |
| 2019 | Kadaram Kondan | Tamil | Singer & Rap Lyrics of Kadaram Kondan song written by Shabir |
| 2019 | Nenjamundu Nermaiyundu Odu Raja | Tamil | Singer for "Nenjamundu" |
| 2021 | Maara | Tamil | Singer & Lyricist for "Pagada" |
| 2022 | Aalambana | Tamil | Singer for "Oorukulla Pudusa" |
| 2023 | Thunivu | Tamil | Singer-Songwriter & Lyricist for "Gangstaa" |
- As Film Composer
| Year | Title | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Together Apart, The Manifest[20] | English | |
| 2017 | Sangu Chakkaram | Tamil | |
| 2019 | Sagaa | Tamil | |
| 2019 | Neeya 2 | Tamil | |
| 2019 | Dhilluku Dhuddu 2 | Tamil | |
| 2019 | Nenjamundu Nermaiyundu Odu Raja | Tamil | |
| 2019 | Raju Gari Gadhi 3 | Telugu | |
| 2021 | Maafkan Mak | Malay | |
| 2022 | Sinam | Tamil |
As an Independent Artist
| Year | Title | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Alaipayuthey | Tamil | |
| 2008 | TraffiQ | Tamil | |
| 2012 | Singai Naadu | Tamil | |
| 2014 | Maybe | Tamil / Hindi | |
| 2014 | Oonjalaadum | Tamil | |
| 2014 | Boomi Athirum | Tamil | |
| 2020 | Aayizhai | Tamil / English | |
| 2020 | Ezhuvom | Tamil | |
| 2020 | Together | Tamil | |
| 2021 | Thanimai | Tamil | |
| 2022 | Rubaiyat Kavithai | Tamil / English | |
| 2023 | VinnMin | Tamil / English | ft. Prithivee |
As an Actor
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Vettai | Nantha | Won Best Actor in the Pradhana Vizha Awards 2011 |
| 2021 | This Land Is Mine | Major Habibullah Khan | Nominated at the Asian Television Awards for Best Supporting Actor |
| 2022 | Naam 2 | Vettaiyan |
Awards
edit- Vasantham Star 2005 (Winner)[21]
- Derana TV Awards Best Music Video for Nagara Vaytei by Shabir ft Dinesh K & Ramya 2009 (Winner)[22]
- Pradhana Vizha 2011 Best Actor (Winner)[23]
- Singapore Indian Artistes Association (Honored Best Actor) 2011[23]
- Pradhana Vizha 2012 Most Popular Song (Winner)[24]
- Kannadasan Award 2012 by Association of Singapore Tamil Writers (Winner)[25]
- Edison Awards 2013 Best International Singer (Winner)[26]
- Highly Commended Award for Kshatriyan soundtrack at Asian Television Awards 2016
- Pradhana Vizha 2016 Best Soundtrack (Won for Nee Indru Kshatriyan)
- Singapore Youth Award 2017 [27]
- Artistic Excellence Award 2022 by COMPASS[28]
- Best Original Song for an Asian TV programme or Movie 2022 by ContentAsia Award[29]
- Best Original Track Award for "Vettai" by Pradhana Vizhna 2022[30]
References
edit- ^ "Music Star Shabir Has Waited Two Years For That Feeling Of Unity At NDP". sg.style.yahoo.com. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ "Music composer Shabir makes viral debut with 'Sagaa'". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
- ^ Shabir performs his hit 'Singai Naadu' | National Day Parade 2022, retrieved 6 January 2023
- ^ "On Singai Naadu's 10th anniversary, this is the untold story behind Shabir's love song to the nation". CNA Lifestyle. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
- ^ Singapore – Lee Hsien Loong Most of us know Munnaeru.... Facebook (22 August 2012)
- ^ Bryant, Chan Kong Yao (15 September 2017). "Shining youth stars | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
- ^ "#TuesdayTrivia: The Character Nanda In Vettai Is Actually The Composer Of Hit Song Yayyum! - Zee5 News". ZEE5. 30 June 2020. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ NAAM Season 2 New character ‼️ Shabir Tabare Alam as Vettaiyan 🔥 #shorts #naamS2 #tamil #webseries, retrieved 6 January 2023
- ^ a b Tashny Sukumaran (19 July 2009). "The Urban Poet". The New Sunday Times, Sunday People. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 17 February 2010.
- ^ "I wrote my first song when I was 12: Shabir". The Times of India. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
- ^ Sajini (9 April 2006). "Shabir's New Music Video Shoot". Our Truest Life Is When We Are in Our Dreams Awake. Archived from the original on 6 June 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
- ^ "Sangu Chakkaram Movie Review". Archived from the original on 31 December 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
- ^ "Profile: Shabir Tabare Alam - The A List". 4 November 2016. Archived from the original on 4 November 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ "Shabir is Singapore's latest prized export – and he's taking India by storm". CNA. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ P., Indran (23 January 2019). ""It's so much more than just running around trees": Shabir speaks on the evolution of Tamil music". "It’s so much more than just running around trees": Shabir speaks on the evolution of Tamil music. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ MTV Asia (1 January 2010). "Dejavu". MTV Asia.com. Archived from the original on 9 February 2010. Retrieved 17 February 2010.
- ^ Channel V (2009). "Shabir". [V]AMP.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "HBM". Archived from the original on 29 January 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
- ^ Leong Wai Kit (January 2010). "Gangster turns Icon". NTUC Lifestyle Magazine. Retrieved 17 February 2010.
- ^ "Project Lapis Sagu - Updates". Project Lapis Sagu. Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
- ^ Hall of Fame – Vasantham on xinmsn Entertainment Archived 7 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Entertainment.xin.msn.com (19 September 2011).
- ^ Tv Derana – Sri Lanka's Premium Entertainment Channel – Teledrama, Mp3, Music videos, Reality shows and Fanclub Archived 27 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Derana.lk.
- ^ a b Pradhana Vizha 2011 – Vasantham on xinmsn Entertainment Archived 30 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Entertainment.xin.msn.com (29 June 2011).
- ^ Pradhana Vizha 2012 – Vasantham on xinmsn Entertainment Archived 9 July 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Entertainment.xin.msn.com (19 September 2011).
- ^ சிங்கப்பூர்த் தமிழ் எழுத்தாளர் கழகம் Archived 30 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Singaporetamilwriters.com (5 March 2011).
- ^ sg-cafe – Timeline Photos. Facebook.
- ^ "Singapore Youth Award". Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
- ^ Durai, Revathi (28 September 2022). "Singapore Crooner, Shabir Honoured With Prestigious Artistic Excellence Award". Varnam MY. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
- ^ Lai, Paul B. S. (August 2022). "The Best Original Paper Award". Surgical Practice. 26 (3): 145–145. doi:10.1111/1744-1633.12591. ISSN 1744-1625.
- ^ "These are the winners at the first night of Vasantham's Pradhana Vizha 2022". CNA Lifestyle. Retrieved 26 December 2022.