Lakhani family is from India (Bilkha, Gujarat) before migrating to Pakistan (Karachi).
Raheel’s father Mansoor Lakhani is the legendary musician of Pakistan who started his music career from Aga Khan Karimabad orchestra as a drummer and then went onto become one of the most acclaimed drummers of his time, performing with the likes of Alamgir, Mohammed Ali Shehki, Benjamin Sisters and numerous other renowned artist of that era in Pakistan. Mansoor Lakhani was also the choice of most of the music directors of his time including Niaz Ahmed, Karim Shahabuddin and Javed Allahditta. Mansoor Lakhani toured internationally and performed at International Film Festival held in Dubai in 1986. Mansoor Lakhani has been volunteering his services in different Aga Khan Orchestras for last 40 years.
Mansoor Lakhani’s both sons are musicians. Ismailimail has featured Raheel Lakhani’s younger brother Alishan Lakhani earlier, who is also a professional drummer. This father-sons team has had a good fortune, grace and honor to perform in front of Mowlana Hazar Imam on different occasions at AKU convocations, Governor house and Chief Minister house in Karachi.
Raheel Lakhani started his drumming career at the age of 6, where he performed for the very first time for a Jamati event. Raheel’s first out of city professional performance was at the age of 9 in one of Pakistan Television’s program recorded at Quetta center Baluchistan.
Since then, he has been performing with different bands and renowned artists and also on different TV channels in Karachi, as well as in different cities of Pakistan. Raheel has been associated with Pakistan Television as a musician since last many years.
Currently, Raheel is doing live and studio sessions for different bands and artists and also recording for different TV channels. He has some private projects in the pipeline and also plans to launch his own band with some very exciting and talented musicians and artist from the community.
For the last 14 years, Raheel Lakhani has been part of different Aga Khan orchestras including Karimabad, Darkhana (Garden), Noorabad, Salimabad, Nazimabad, Kharadar and Platinum colonies. Raheel looks forward to continue this honorary service for the rest of his life.
Raheel hopes to see the contemporary music scene of Aga khan orchestras improve across the board. Except for a few, most of the Jamati orchestras are now inactive. Raheel’s aim and hope is to bring up the new talent in all the orchestras and to give them an exposure and a platform to showcase their talent.
In general, opportunities are available in Pakistan for musicians if you have natural talent and inclination towards music and playing instruments.
Click here for Raheel’s Facebook Profile
Earlier related: Drummer for Pakistan Idol: Alishan Lakhani
