Soaring with the Musical Notes – Simal Nafees

From a household steeped in music to the bright lights of Coke Studio and Pakistan Idol, Simal Nafees is carving her own identity in Pakistan’s music scene. Born into a renowned musical family, she has navigated expectations, creative challenges, and the pressures of public performance to emerge as a singer with a distinctive voice and artistic integrity. In this interview, Simal reflects on her journey, her inspirations, and the milestones that have shaped her growth as a performer and as an artist.

Q1. How did music become your calling and which people, sounds or cultural influences shaped your desire to become a singer?

I come from a strong musical lineage. My grandfather, Ustaad Fateh Ali Khan, was a highly respected sitar maestro of the subcontinent who devoted his life to music, and my father continued that legacy. Music was innate for me, a part of my upbringing. I grew up seeing my father practise the sitar in the drawing room, and we would listen and absorb it as children.

My mother also played a significant role. At home, she would play legends such as Iqbal Bano, Malika Pukhraj, Farida Khanum and Mehdi Hassan, along with Indian greats like Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. Music was always playing in the background; it became inseparable from our lives. At the same time, my father exposed us to Western music — jazz, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and ABBA. I vividly remember him playing Dancing Queen and I Have Nothing, completely immersed in the experience. Watching his passion shaped my own connection to music.

Q2. What challenges have you faced in your musical journey so far, creatively, professionally and personally? How do you stay motivated and grounded when navigating them?

Creatively, my main challenge was discovering my own musical identity. I grew up with very strong influences from my parents, so when I began exploring genres such as pop, Western music and even rap in my early teens, it took time to understand what truly resonated with me. I also had to balance music with academics, as my education was always prioritised, which meant there was a period when I stepped away from formal musical training.

Professionally, the greatest challenge has been establishing my own identity while being known as my father’s daughter. I am incredibly proud of him, but that comes with immense responsibility and high expectations. I often felt there was no room for mistakes, whether in my performance or personal conduct. Creating my own space in the industry required resilience and self-belief.

Personally, stepping out of his shadow was important. As the eldest daughter, I was raised in a protective environment. Moving to Islamabad alone for my A-Levels helped me gain independence, confidence and clarity about who I am — both as a person and as an artist.

Q3. How would you describe your artistic identity and are there particular themes or stories that consistently shape your voice and style?

My artistic identity is rooted in sincerity and intention. For me, music is sacred — it is not something I pursue purely to earn money. I am educated, I work full-time, and I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Filmmaking from an institution affiliated with Collège de Paris. My profession provides financial stability, which allows me the freedom to approach music with integrity rather than compulsion. I never want to reach a point where I accept a concert solely for financial reasons and end up performing songs that do not resonate with me.

To me, good music is music that I genuinely enjoy and can share with others in a respectful environment. While I have great respect for those who earn their livelihood through music, I have consciously chosen to keep my relationship with it personal and meaningful. An experience in my teenage years shaped this perspective profoundly. After performing at Coke Studio in 2016 at the age of sixteen, I received several opportunities, including international concerts. At one particular event, I realised that the audience was disengaged, and some individuals behaved inappropriately while I was performing. I was very young, and standing on stage, I felt deeply uncomfortable and disheartened. It made me question whether I wanted to place myself in situations where my craft was not respected.

For a while, I withdrew and became more reserved. However, that experience clarified something important: I never want financial pressure or public validation to dictate my art. Music, for me, is an escape, a source of joy and expression. I want to protect that purity. That philosophy continues to shape my voice, my choices and the kind of spaces in which I choose to perform.

Q4. You’ve released music that resonates emotionally with listeners. Which milestones in your musical journey feel most meaningful to you so far?

I have released several songs and collaborated with artists such as Arshad Mehmood sahib, but for me, milestones are often personal moments of validation rather than grand achievements. One of the most meaningful was performing with the late Zia Mohyeddin sahib, who was known for his high standards. I was only eighteen, and when he expressed his approval of my performance, it meant a great deal to me. Another milestone — one I am still striving towards — is receiving open praise from my father. As my teacher, he is rigorous and rarely offers direct compliments, which perhaps keeps me grounded.

Performing on Coke Studio at sixteen was a major turning point, and more recently, receiving a standing ovation from Rahat Fateh Ali Khan on Pakistan Idol, along with his generous praise after my performance of a Noor Jehan classic, felt like a truly defining moment in my journey.

Q5. What motivated you to audition for Pakistan Idol and how did standing on that stage change your perspective on your music, and growth as a performer?

Auditioning for Pakistan Idol was a turning point in my life. Initially, I didn’t even think I would make it past the first round. At the Arts Council audition I saw so many incredibly talented singers, and I felt nervous — not just about the competition, but also about proving that my opportunities were earned through my own efforts, not just because I am my father’s daughter. I was dealing with imposter syndrome, questioning whether people genuinely appreciated my talent.

The decision to audition actually came the night before. My mother was my biggest motivator; she reminded me that there is no age limit for dreams and encouraged me to just go for it. I was 25 at the time and worried I might be too old or outshone by younger singers, but her support gave me the courage to take that step.

Even though I didn’t make the top 16, the response to my audition was overwhelming. I received thousands of messages and comments praising my voice, which completely shifted my perspective. For the first time, I truly believed in my craft and felt validated as an artist. That experience gave me confidence, ended much of my self-consciousness, and marked a significant moment of growth as a performer.

Q6. Reality shows can be high pressure. How did you manage nerves, expectations and the public spotlight while staying true to your voice?

Reality shows are definitely high pressure — from choosing the right song to thinking about what will appeal to the public. For me, though, the focus was never on pleasing everyone; it was about performing what I could do well and what I truly connected with.

For my first performance, I chose Tum Sung Naina Lage by Rubina Badar, a relatively unknown song for today’s generation. I felt a deep connection to it, and that connection allowed me to perform confidently and authentically. The audience responded positively, and the song even gained renewed popularity online after my audition. That experience reinforced my approach: focus on what I do best, stay true to my artistic choices, and enjoy the process. That’s how I managed nerves and stayed grounded in the spotlight.

Q7.  Has audience reaction ever influenced or changed the way you think about a piece you created or performed?

Yes, especially when I was younger. After performing on Coke Studio, my sister and I toured with our girl band, opening for Junoon in North America, Dubai and the UK — including a performance at Wembley Stadium. I was overwhelmed just knowing I would perform there, imagining all the artists who had graced that stage before me. During those tours, we often chose songs that would energise the audience — songs people could dance to, like Jugni — to hype up the crowd before Junoon came on. It was exciting and fun, and I enjoyed sharing the stage with my band and the audience.

Now, however, my perspective has shifted. I prefer to perform music that I genuinely enjoy, rather than trying to please the crowd. If that means the audience is smaller, I am okay with it. My connection to the music comes first.

Q8. Apart from singing and performing, are you involved in any songwriting, collaborations or creative projects that you’re especially excited about?

I’m very excited about my music and collaborations. Working with Arshad Mehmood and my father, for example, is always inspiring because of the technical depth and the legendary experience they bring. I’m also part of an initiative called Voice of World, led by singer Samra Khan, where I have the opportunity to work with incredibly talented young women. I hope to collaborate with many of them in the future. Beyond collaborations, I’m focused on my own original music and developing new material. I’m open to creative projects of all kinds, and I’m excited for what the future holds.

Q9. When you look back from where you began and where you are today, what stands out most to you? 

What stands out most is coming into my own and being recognised for my talent, not just as my father’s daughter. It took a long time to step out of that shadow, and reaching this point — where people believe in me and my work — feels incredibly rewarding. I also feel proud that this journey has paved the way for my sisters, who are musicians as well. Seeing them have opportunities and thinking about how I can collaborate with them excites me for the future.

Another significant shift has been in the perception of our extended family. Initially, there were doubts about women pursuing music, but now I feel respected and supported for the work I do. That acceptance, along with being able to protect my artistic integrity, makes me proud of how far we’ve come.