Rickshaw driver becomes singing sensation after TV show

Ataullah Khan Isakhelvi watch out! Pretty soon Geo or ARY or one of their competitor would announce a similar talent hunt.

For the past 25 years, Omar Ali has made his living as a rickshaw driver in one of the busiest and most chaotic cities on earth. Twelve hours a day, seven days a week, the 45-year-old pedals people around Dhaka on his cycle-rickshaw. But the bad traffic has also encouraged him to sing. Every time he gets stuck in a jam, Mr Ali starts a song.

This week his musical talents were finally recognised when he won a TV talent contest that gripped viewers in Bangladesh. Singing a traditional folk tune, the father-of-four beat off the challenges of the other contestants – all of whom were also rickshaw drivers.