Qurat-ul-ain Balouch: Sufism answers my questions by all means

Her soulful voice made an impact on Indian audiences with the title track of Pakistani television series Humsafar. While 'Woh Humsafar Tha...' is bringing her to light in India, Qurat-ul-ain Balouch aka QB is already an internet sensation, having collaborated with Jal The Band on the song 'Panchi...'. In 2012, QB even represented Pakistan in a live performance with the Philharmonic Orchestra. She was a wild card entry for the band Euphoria against Pakistan’s winners Strings in a sound clash in the UAE.Out with her first official single 'Bewafaiyaan...', QB has caught the attention of listeners for the distinct texture of her voice and its rawness. “Bewafaiyaan talks about loyalty, adherence and passion,” writes the Virginia-based singer in an e-mail interview.
An interpretation of her inner emotions, as she came to terms with a life altering car accident in 2013. The doctors told her she won’t be able to sing, but she recorded the song soon after through sheer determination. Slated to release her debut album later this year, QB ventured into the world of music, quite by chance. She recalls, “I still remember singing in the bathroom at the top of my lungs, totally oblivious to my organic ability to manipulate melodies of biggies. In the summer of 2010, I uploaded my cover of 'Ankhian Nu Ren De...' by Reshma. This was the year when video sharing sites weren’t banned in Pakistan and there were very few opportunities for newcomers to exhibit their indigenous art.” The song made waves online. With no formal training in music and with no intentions of taking music as a profession at an early age, QB believes it was, ‘it was bound to happen’.
READ: Pakistani singer Goher Mumtaz of Jal band fame performs in India
Sufi music is her forte. She says, “I’m spiritual by nature. Sufism answers my questions by all means. Sufism is purity that defines love on a whole new level and what more beautiful way to narrate it than through music. My means of getting the word across is by my voice so I feel empowered by Sufi music.”
QB grew up listening to the old folk artistes from Pakistan’s musical history. “My father has a vast cassette collection of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Pathanay Khan, a saraiki folk singer from Punjab and Sindhi musician Juman Khan. Understanding the least of what it meant, their vocals were so enriched with character that subconsciously it caught my attention at the age of 12. But, it took me years to really settle myself into music as a profession, as my family wasn’t thrilled about it at all. My family has now come to terms with the fact that I was born to sing.” Out here, she admires the voices of Shreya Ghoshal and Hard Kaur. “Alternative country and folk singer Brandi Carlile is another favourite,” she says.
Ask her what’s keeping her busy, and she says, “Live gigs and a lot of travelling that comes with it. I’m resuming my pursuit of music making after a major car accident in 2013 so I’m quite thrilled to be back with my debut album. There are some very exciting projects in the pipeline. This is just the beginning.”
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Listen to Bewafaiyaan on Gaana.com
WATCH: Panchi, Jal featuring Quratulain Balouch