Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 17: Afaq Shafi Dar, a 23-year-old resident of Shalimar in Srinagar, is making waves in the world of music in J&K as he secures a coveted spot among the top 20 contestants on the popular television show ‘Indian Idol’.
Afaq, who recently received a “golden ticket” from the judges, revealed that this achievement was nothing short of a dream come true for him.
He became a sensation after a video of his mesmerizing performance in front of the renowned Indian Idol judges Shreya Ghoshal, Kumar Shanu and Vishal Dadlani went viral. The clip showcased his extraordinary vocal talents, leaving all three judges awestruck.
Speaking exclusively to Excelsior at his studio, Afaq said: “It has been my lifelong dream to stand on the Indian Idol stage. I used to watch the show with my family and always aspired to sing in front of the judges. My family encouraged me to work hard and pursue my dreams.”
Recalling the moment, he found out he had made it to the top 20, Afaq said, “I thought I was dreaming because, during my audition, I had admitted to the judges that I had not received formal music training. I was nervous when they asked me to sing with music. The first thing I did was call my parents and share the great news. It was a feeling of immense joy and the realization that my dreams were finally coming true after years of hard work.”
Afaq completed his schooling at Kashmir Harvard and already holds a Bachelor’s degree from Gandhi Memorial College, Baba Demb, he is currently preparing for a Master’s degree.
Reflecting on his journey, he mentioned how his talent was initially recognized when he led morning prayers at school. A teacher noticed his unique vocal abilities and encouraged him to pursue a career in music. “At first, my father was not very supportive, but with time, he had a change of heart and allowed me to follow my passion,” he said.
In 2019, Afaq launched his YouTube channel and released his first song, “Moaj,” which received an overwhelming response, inspiring him to continue pursuing a career in music.
Interestingly, Afaq revealed that he was disqualified during the Ground Auditions in the last season of Indian Idol. However, he viewed this setback as a valuable learning experience, which motivated him to return stronger this time.
He acknowledged the role of his teacher, Rasik Imtiyaz Khan, in supporting his musical journey and credited the lessons he learned from his previous Indian Idol experience for his improved performance this season.
Looking ahead, Afaq described the next phase of the competition, explaining that after the top 20, there will be another round to select the top 14 contestants, after which the televised episodes will begin. He expressed his hopes of making it to the final and winning the title, so he can return to share his experiences with his community.
While emphasizing the importance of hard work, Afaq also urged parents to allow their children to pursue careers based on their interests and passions, as he believed this would make a significant difference in their lives.
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