Altaf Raja is an Indian Qawwali singer who gained popularity in the 1990s for singing the song ‘Tum To Thehre Pardesi’ which sold around 70 Lakh cassettes in a single day. The song also made a Guinness World Record for selling the highest number of cassettes at that time.
Wiki/Biography
Altaf Raja was born on Sunday, 15 October 1967 (age 55 years; as of 2023) in Nagpur. His zodiac sign is Libra. He did his schooling at Antonio De Souza High School, Mumbai. He pursued his higher studies at the University of Mumbai. Altaf was born into a family of musicians and started taking music training when he was 18 years old. His father’s music inspired him a lot and he decided to become a singer himself. He wanted to sing qawwalis and not become a playback singer, but his mother advised him to grab all the opportunities he was getting at that time.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 7″
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
Altaf’s father’s name is Ibrahim Iqbal, who was a musician.
Altaf Raja’s father
His mother’s name is Rani Roop Lata, who was a musician.
Altaf Raja with his mother
He has one brother and two sisters.
Altaf Raja’s siblings
Wife & Children
As of 2023, he is unmarried.
Religion/Religious Views
Altaf follows Islam.
Altaf Raja visiting a dargah
Career
Albums
Altaf’s most famous music album was ‘Tum To Thehre Pardesi’ in 1997.
Poster of the song ‘Tum To Thehre Pardesi’
He sang many other Hindi songs for music albums Aaj Ki Raat Na Ja Pardesi (1999), Dil Ka Haal Sune Dilwala (2001), Koi Patthar Se Na Mare (2007), BumGola (2015), and Saath Kya Nibhaoge (2021).
Playback Singer
Altaf has sung various Hindi songs as a playback singer in movies including ‘Karlo Pyar Karlo’ for the film Chandaal (1998), ‘Keemat’ for the film They Are Back (1998), ‘Madholal’ for the film Keep Walking (2010), ‘Jholu Ram’ for the film Ghanchakkar (2013), and ‘Dil Lagana’ for the film Hunterrr (2015).
Music Composer
He has worked as a music composer in the film Market (2003) and Dukaan: Pila House (2004).
Actor
He has acted in Bollywood films like Shapath (1997), Yamraaj (1998), Mother (1999), and Ghanchakkar (2013).
Altaf Raja in the film ‘Yamraaj’ (1998)
Favourites
Facts/Trivia
- In 2015, in an interview, he said that he was working on the second part of his song ‘Tum To Thehre Pardeshi.’ In an interview, he talked about this and said,
I’m busy working on part two of ‘Tum To Thehre Pardesi.’ There will be a minimum of four to five songs and the album will release before Diwali. The songs are very melodious and I’m sure people in metropolitan cities will like it.”
- In 2021, his song ‘Tum To Thehre Pardeshi’ was remade as Saath Kya Nibhaoge. Bollywood actors Sonu Sood took and Nidhi Agerwal starred in the video.