Asif Ali Begs'professional career as an entertainer began way back in 1982 as a singer on an international cruise liner. Subsequently he sang regularly at a nightclub with his own band 'Jukebox' and then joined a popular gig band 'Aqua Flow' doing cover tunes. Tired of being what he called a Xerox machine, he started his own band 'Mantra' and in 1997 he released his debut album of original Hindi pop songs called 'Jantar Mantar'. As 'Mantra' he has regaled audiences with his performances all over India and abroad.