Shuja Haider

Early life and background Shuja Haider was born in Lahore, Pakistan to Sajid Ali (1950 – 24 May 2022), a singer-musician, and is one of four siblings. His grandfather was renowned Pakistani pianist, Master Sadiq Ali (1935-1984), often referred to as the master pianist of the subcontinent. Exposed to numerous music genres from across the world as a child, Haider started dabbling in music at the age of seven, although his primary interest was in athletics. He recalls that he always wanted to be a cricketer, inspired at a young age by cricketers Wasim Akram, Javed Miandad, and Imran Khan. and has stated that listening to the Bee Gees, The Carpenters, Queen, Abba and The Beatles as a teenager was particularly impactful for him. He recalls that seeing composers such as Bakhshi-Wazir at close quarters helped him understand the nuances of making music: "I’m very lucky that I saw them making songs. It’s by watching them that I learnt a little about how a song is made, how its weight should be distributed, and what tempo it should be in." and produced Haroon's first solo album Haroon Ki Awaz in 2000 and Ahmed Jahanzeb's second studio album Parastish in 2003. Baaghi (2017), and Alif (2019). Haider is known for his collaborations with Shoaib Mansoor in his films Khuda Kay Liye (2007) and Bol (2011), where he recorded solos and duets with Ahmed Jahanzeb.

Work in Coke Studio Haider made his Coke Studio debut in 2016 Aaqa received praise for its "beautiful melody" and "thoughtful flourishes." Haider was lauded for his composition and arrangement in "Khaki Banda," as well as for his innovation in incorporating Bulleh Shah's Sufi verses into the song. Haider's songwriting in both "Aaqa" and "Khaki Banda" was noted for its Sufi-rock fusion, evocative imagery, and devotional expression. In the same season of Coke Studio, Haider also directed a medley of two of his original singles — "Tera Woh Pyar" (originally released in 2004)

In Coke Studio Season 12, Haider performed the song "Saiyyan" with Rachel Viccaji, produced by Rohail Hyatt, the co-creator of Coke Studio. The composition was praised for its striking visual metaphors and its fusion of traditional Punjabi folk music with a playful musical arrangement.

Other work In 2008, Haider composed and produced the song "Yeh Hum Naheen" , written by Ali Moeen. The song was part of an anti-terrorism campaign aimed at reaffirming Islam as anti-terrorism and promoting a more positive image of Pakistan to other nations. Haider sang the song along with artistes such as Strings, Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan, Ali Zafar, and Hadiqa Kiyani among others. and was entered into Guinness World Records as the most signed petition ever at the time.

In 2017, Haider announced his work on Soundscape, meant to be an interactive, multi-city live music series that would feature a number of artistes from around the country, representing different musical genres. Although largely completed, this project is currently on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Also in 2017, Haider featured in and produced music for Season 5 of National Ka Pakistan, a reality adventure show on YouTube that explored and highlighted the unique culinary diversity across the four provinces of Pakistan.

In the aftermath of the murder of Zainab Ansari in 2018, Haider wrote, composed and sang the song "Jeevan Daan" (featuring Saba Qamar) which addressed the issues of gender inequality and child abuse. In 2020, Haider produced and composed music for Season 3 of Strepsils Stereo, the first musical platform in Pakistan geared at producing a cappella music and presenting new musical talent.

In 2022, Haider launched The Idol Online, an online talent hunt to scout, train, and develop up-and-coming musical talent from across Pakistan. Haider asserted that Pakistan lacks the "institutions and platforms that make artists. There is no orthodox teaching of music anymore. With Idol Online, I want to provide a platform and an institution which would find and train artists as a means to give back to the community. I want to contribute to the betterment of the youth through music."

Artistry Haider has stated in various interviews that for traditional Eastern classical music to survive, it is necessary to blend it with Western music to make it more accessible and attractive to listeners today. Fusing musical styles, cutting across genres, and experimenting with arrangements is therefore a prominent feature in Haider's music. In another interview, he similarly contended, "I personally don't agree with the practice. You can't own someone else's work. You cannot put your own name on someone else's art." Despite his significant success as a singer, Haider has stated in various interviews that he primarily considers himself a composer, songwriter and record producer: "Personally, I have always enjoyed creating music far more than singing. This is what I've acquired over time – songwriting, that is...Going on stage and making people raise their hands to applaud frantically for me was never my thing." (2008) "Josh-e-Junoon" (2011), Pakistan Cricket Team Sports Anthem (Composer) "Funn Mitti Se" (2018) "Jeevan Daan" (2018) "Kya Ho Gaya Hai" (2020) "Teri Qasam" (2021) "Rabba" (2021) "Main Na Janoo" (2021) "Dil Machis Hai" (2021) "Dukh" (2021) "Baaghi - Unplugged" (2021) "Allah o Akbar"(2021) "Faslon Ko Takaluf" (2021) "Mere Maula" (2021) "Alif - Unplugged" (2021) "Jeena" (2021) "Safina" (2021) "Baanware - Original Version" (2021) "Main Urra - Special Version" (2021) "Mumkin" (composer, producer) for Strepsils Stereo Season 3 (2020) "Udikan Laiyan Mein," for Strepsils Stereo Season 3 (2021) "Dil Bhara Nahi" (2021) "Want You Back" (2022) "Pyar Nai Fir Kerna" for Kashmir Beats Season 2, with Kinza Hashmi (2022) "Tu Hi Zindagi" (2022) "Shad Rahe Pakistan" (2022) "Nawazishein Karam - Original Version" (2022)

Film Khuda Kay Liye (2007) Ru Ba Ru (2008) Bol (2011) Verna (2017) Parwaaz Hai Junoon (2018) Aya Lariye from Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2 (2018) The Donkey King (2018) Laal (2019) Nayi Soch from Khel Khel Mein (2021) Ghabrana Nahi Hai (2022) (composer and songwriter)

Television (OSTs) Tum Mere Hi Rehna (2014) Muqaddas (2015) Sehra Main Safar (2015) Kisay Chahoon (2016) Mann Mayal (2016) Sanam (2016) Tau Dil Ka Kia Hua (2017) Woh Aik Pal (2017) Dil Banjaara (2017) Baaghi (2017) Zard Zamano Ka Sawera (2017) Khafa Khafa Zindagi (2018) Pukaar (2018) Kam Zarf (2019) Sunehri Titliyan (2019) Mein Na Janoo (2019) Alif (2019) Dil-e-Bereham (2019) Dobara (2021) (composer and co-writer) Naye Hain Rastay from Khwaab Toot Jaatay Hain (2021) Meem Se Mohabbat (2024) (Composer) Ishq Di Chashni (2025) (Composer, lyricist)

Coke Studio Pakistan

Season 9 (2016)

Season 10 (2017)

Season 11 (2018)

Season 12 (2019)

Coke Studio 2020

Filmography

Television Year Title RoleNotes 2020 AlifShuja Haider (As himself)Episode 20 & 21