“I am a proud Lahori in love with Mumbai and I have no qualms about saying this aloud. Secularism and peace for me are not theoretical concepts. ”
Syndicated from: Newsline » People
Tag Archive | "music"
Tags: Arts & Culture, bollywood music, desii boyz, filmein shilmein, music, no jang, no saazish, Pakistani Music, Pakistani music industry, People, Q & A, shahvaar, shahvaar ali khan, shahvar, shahvar ali khan
Interview: Shahvaar Ali Khan
Posted on 20 January 2012 by Tea Server
Tags: App Store, Apps, cad, iphone, music, review, tips, Uncategorized
Reviewing some iPhone apps (and getting some thumb exercise)
Posted on 18 January 2012 by Tea Server
So I have been checking out some of the neat free apps on the app store and found some pretty delightful stuff, and along that journey of app-discovery I also stumbled upon some general iPhone usage tricks for multitasking and ease of use. Before I give details of the apps, here’s a snapshot of the orientation lock button which can be accessed by pressing the home button twice.
This is particularly useful when you’re lying down on one side and don’t want to tilt your phone in an awkward position to use it. By the way, all these snapshots can be taken by pressing the home and lock buttons simultaneously (forgive me if I sound like a noob).
And as for the multitasking part, I never knew that the iPhone was capable of something like it till I felt a slowing down in overall usage. Googling my problem I found out that just pressing the home button doesn’t close an app, but the double tap home button shows which apps are running at the moment, which you can close off properly by doing a press hold over any app till the red minus sign comes up, at which point you can kill the unwanted apps by just pressing the minus sign.
Some of the apps that I had been running before making the aforementioned discovery include some interested music composing apps, a few of them a pure visual and auditory treat. Soundprism is one app which lets you play (and record in the pro version) synthesised sounds on a kind of keyboard the keys for which you can press as a group by selecting the shape of the area that you need to use to press them. Sounds a bit confusing, and I haven’t got the hand of it yet, but just pressing those keys and listening to the soothing sounds is enough to keep you entertained on a lazy Sunday night.
Another interesting app among many is the PatternMusic app which is exactly like the Koan X Platinum software I used on the PC a long time ago. Panning “instrument” icons over the space allows you to adjust their volume and panning, and you can configure each instruments tune and melody in a a separate interface. Again, you need to pay money to be able to save anything, and I am not sure if anyone would do so much work in this just to have their creations not saved.
TurboViewer allows me to view wireframes of DWG files of almost any size with ease. Standard punch zoom and orbit operations can be done to review the wireframe models. I don’t see too much utility for this app, but with superior markup options thus would definitely be a must have for CAD managers and designers on the move.
And then I tried out the WordFued app, which had me hooked for quite some time. Apart from the mildly annoying ads after every move you make, this is a neat app for casual multiplayer play, and definitely gives you a chance to exercise those neurone while you’re lounging on your couch.
Finally, a snapshot from another cute app which serves a noble purpose; to put the sleepless ones to sleep. The monotonous snore of this little red guy floating on a cloud will definitely send anyone to where he is. A little nudge to his cloud moves him around the screen, and a more violent shake can disturb him, but he never wakes up!
Should be enough app review for now. Just realised that my right thumbs aching after writing such a long post on a teeny weeny screen. Until next time.
Syndicated from: Chewy Thoughts
Tags: Ashes of Lucifer, essam rashid, MAD School, music, Pakistan, rebuttal, rock, writer
Essam Rashid of Ashes Responds
Posted on 15 January 2012 by Tea Server
DISCLAIMER: This is a response to a recent post by our guest writer on her recent experience at a planned concert for MAD School featuring a band called “Ashes of Lucifer”. The bands’ front man has professionally contacted us and asked to voice his side of the story. As much as we felt the need [...]
Essam Rashid of Ashes Responds is a post from: PakMediaBlog All Rights Reserved.
Syndicated from: PakMediaBlog
Tags: Ashes of Lucifer, bands of satan, burger boys, haters of Allah, Karachi, music, music infidels, satan band, satan worjshippers, unprofessional
Heavenly Intervention Foils Local Satanic Cult Band Concert
Posted on 15 January 2012 by Tea Server
After months of begging and pleading, a heavily despised local band named Ashes of Lucifer were granted permission to perform ONE test gig at the prestigious MAD (Music Art Dance) School here in Karachi, a gig that had allegedly been set to start at 9pm. The band, staying true to the leader, decided to uphold [...]
Heavenly Intervention Foils Local Satanic Cult Band Concert is a post from: PakMediaBlog All Rights Reserved.
Syndicated from: PakMediaBlog
Tags: Abdul Ghafoor, Abdul Raheem Fareedi, Agha Rasheed Ahmed, Ahmed Niazi, Asif Ali Santoo Khan Qawwal, Atif Aslam, basement of theRadio Pakistan, Fateh, Festival of Lights, Folk music, getenough electricity, Ghulam Hussain Shaggan, Google, India, internet connectionbut, Internet Connectivity, khuzdar, Lahore, Like Opera, Maghaz, me- Classical Music, Mehdi Hassan, metal, Mulliner, music, nusrat fateh ali khan, Pakistan, Qawwali, Randomness, simplest solution, SMS, thatNusrat, waitress, wi-fi
…Of A Number Of Things
Posted on 13 January 2012 by Tea Server
What follows is a series of small erm, discourses on anumber of topics that interested me but weren’t deemed suitable for furtherelaboration because, let’s face it, I’m the laziest fella this side of theIndus. They don’t have a common thread running through them and have beenhastily jotted down as I unpack my bags after heading back to my little shed inthe jungle.
The ‘Usual’
Most of the things that I’ve grown to enjoy immensely inLahore were actually my own discoveries ; bookshops, places to eat, places tosee etc that I had stumbled onto in my many exploratory forays. Oneplace however, bears the distinction of not only being pointed out to me by afriend but actually, persuasively prodded towards, and I can safely say thatnever was I prodded towards a more favorable destination. One of the small, nonot small; sizeable pleasures that one can hope to achieve in a long residenceat one place is acquiring a place where, slightly modifying the theme fromCheers, ‘not everybody but at least somebody knows your name’. Thatplace for me is the Lahore Chatkhara in Mini-Market, Gulberg.
The fact that after my initial visit, I could be found thereat least three or four times every month bred a little familiarity. This wasreinforced by the fact that I’d always be carrying a pile of books and wouldinadvertently be waiting for someone, something which sort of singled me outfrom the rest of their patrons. The bond was completed by the fact that thefirst time I tasted what I had been ordered by my friend to taste – a plate ofSamosa Chaat and a bottle of Coke – I was so taken that I immediately orderedanother serving and gave the waitress a pretty phenomenal tip. The happy resultis that now, whenever I go there, I am nodded-at by said recipient of mytipping largesse, led towards my ‘usual table’, allowed to wait uninterruptedfor my ‘usual friends’ and need only to inform them to bring me ‘the usual’. Itmay not be the Anglers’ Rest of the Mr. Mulliner stories or the eponymous barfrom Cheers, but trust me, there’s great pleasure in being a ‘usual’.
The Unbearable Nusrat-ness Of Being
I came late to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Wait, let me rephrasethat, I was a huge Nusrat fan the first 20 odd years of my life but when I’rediscovered’ Qawwali some four odd years ago, somehow Nusrat remained on thefringes of my radar. One of the reasons was that I had been warned off him bythe “purists” – back when I was silly enough to pay any attention to them, another was thatevery time I listened to him, my mind would always (unfavorably) compare him tohis father, which I realise now was unfair. However, when I graduallyrediscovered Nusrat, I was immediately entranced by his skill, his emotionalityand (unlike what the purists had blabbered on about) his immense ‘ehteraam’ forthe Classical idiom. Of course I had to pick and choose from literallythousands of his recordings, but at least I was a Nusrat fan.
Mark the sequel though. It’s been more than a decade sinceNusrat passed away. Qawwali has seen a decline and then a slight resurgence butthe influence of Nusrat has remained. Not only has it remained but it has grownso overpowering that I’ve noticed a (to me at least) very disturbing trend inmodern Qawwali, namely the Unbearable Nusratness Of Being.
The overwhelming majority of Qawwals have realized thatNusrat sells. As a result, everyone has become what can best be described asrather sub-standard Nusrat clones. In doing so, the Qawwals have all butcompletely abandoned their own hereditary style, their trademark items andtheir unique performance styles. The entire Fareedi clan for example – whichboasted such modern stalwarts as Agha Rasheed Ahmed and Abdul Raheem Fareedi -has decided to convert to Nusratism en masse. Gone are the trademark emotive,classical bandishes. Instead, we have cheap synthesisers, alarming vocalhistrionics and wholesale borrowings from Nusrat’s repertoire.
Another example is one of the rising stars of the currentQawwali scene, Asif Ali Santoo Khan Qawwal, whose father and grandfather weresupremely talented Ustaads of Qawwali, but who has completely moulded his styleon Nusats, with the result that more often than not, his performances veertowards jumbledness and confusion rather than clarity. Even the ‘Dehli-wala’gharanas of Qawwali, both in India and Pakistan, have also eschewed their usualemotive, nuanced and more measured style for a more ballistic and over-the-topstyle that somehow sounds odd to the ears. The overall result being that whereonce the Punjabi ‘ang’ of Qawwali was a many-textured style with differentperformers binging their own uniqueness to the fore, nowadays Qawwali in thePunjab is totally Nusrated.
Now I know this is an honest-to-goodness rant and that I amobviously overreacting to what is the natural result of the presence of atowering cultural figure who cast a very long shadow, but unless some of thecurrent performers discover their own distinctive voices and look towards theirown personal heritage for fresh ideas, Qawwali will degenerate into somethingmuch less appealing and enlightening and satisfying than it’s supposed to be.And worst of all, the purists will be proven right.
The Joy Of Text
When I go on holiday, I don’t necessarily ‘go on holiday’.Let me explain. Others may use the holidays to catch a bit of much-neededR&R, laze about, catch up on their sleep or generally idle. My holidays arethe exact opposite of that. Averaging only five to six hours of sleep per day,I manage to cram in so many activities into the three or four days off I getevery month that I actually need a day-planner to help me get through all thecommitments. These include getting through the checklist in the previous post,the requisite socializing, shopping, taking care of pending official paperworkand downloading as much music and movies and TV shows to last me the month ormore before I next expect to be home.
Another object that is forced to share this increasedholiday workload is my long-suffering phone. Here in the jungle, the phoneserves as a combination torch and Angry Birds console and that’s it. Nocellphone signals and no Wi-Fi means it lives out the month a shadow of its trueself. But let me get in my car and get within cellphone coverage range on myway home, and Abdul Ghafoor (my phone’s named Abdul Ghafoor) comes alive in themost remarkable fashion. Over the course of the next three or four days, Imanage to make more phone calls, send more texts and do more phone-ly thingsthan most people tend to do in their entire lifetimes. My preferred moduscommunicadi being the text message, which I’ve preferred over phone calls for aslong as I’ve had a cellphone.
The pure pleasure of carrying out conversations over SMS islost on people who take the ability to send and receive texts for granted.But to a person who gets to receive terrible jokes and Doomsday warnings onlyonce a month, the true worth of the medium is evident. It’s hard to describethe absolutely nonsensical bracing effects, after having spent a month or morein complete radio silence, of a conversation like this :
Q. Musab bhai, aap ek kaam keejiye.
Me. Ji janab ?
Q. Aap Nijaam ke bal bal jaiyye.
Me.Ji behtar.
A month after arriving in my jungle hideout, I had managedto procure a phone and establish some form of communication, two months later,I improved that to include what can mercifully be called an internet connectionbut the ability to send and receive texts had eluded me. Because of some oddlyconvoluted logic, phones here can carry out any two of the three activities ofvoice calls, text messaging and internet connectivity, but not all three. So inopting for the ability to sit for hours waiting for the Google homepage toload, I relinquished the ability to text. The result was that on my recentlyconcluded holiday, I took out my textual frustrations to such an extent that Imanaged to crash the Messaging application, which is no mean feat on an Androidphone. This brought home the realization that steps needed to be taken, avenuesneeded to be explored and measures needed to be implemented so that I couldspread out my textual largesse over the entire year instead of treating my phonelike a stock-ticker three days a month and letting it grow fat and lazy therest of the time.
As always, the simplest solution has proven the mostpractical. Doing the required math, I decided that to phones were better thanone. One for calling and texting and the other solely for crawling theinternet. So now mine is the only room for miles with two oddly shapedtelephone antennae on its roof. Now all I have to worry about is how to getenough electricity to charge two phones when there isn’t enough for even one.But that, as they say, is a horse of a different colour.
Classical MusicVersus Lamb Chops
Here’s a question. You know the Festival Of Lights in Lahoreis part of your ‘culture’. Yet you live in Khuzdar, or you’re allergic tolights. Would you then consider it your duty to do whatever you can to preserveand support the Festival Of Lights simply because it’s part of your ‘culture’ ?
I got to dwelling on this question after reading a Facebookpost, a rather anguished post lamenting the treatment of Classical musicians inPakistan, especially the lack of respect paid them and the impending void theywill leave if not appreciated, supported and given their due ‘ehtiraam’. Thisis sadly very true and the handful of senior classical musicians, with one ortwo exceptions, are living out the last days of their lives in penury, mostlyneglected, with their huge talents and ability going to waste rather than beingtransmitted to future generations. The loss to our cultural milieu will beimmeasurable when they’ve passed away. That much is clear.
Mark the sequel though. Classical music has, for most of itshistory, been an art form appreciated by a comparatively small audience, almostlike Opera or Jazz. The small audience has been, for the most part, discerning,passionate and appreciative. And they’ve had the means to support the art-formthat they appreciate. This has taken the form of court-patronage in theprevious centuries and although now considerably diminished, is still carriedon in the tradition of Mehfils and soirees etc. With these means, thepassionate followers of classical music have managed to get their fill of theirfavorite type of music and contribute to the maintenance and sustenance of theclassical tradition.
Like Opera and Jazz however, Classical music is not entirelyignored by the mainstream. In genres like Qawwali, Ghazal and Folk Music forexample, artists like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Mehdi Hassan, Tufail Niazi et alhave been instrumental in introducing the lay-listener to a taste ofsub-continental classical music; a feat that has resulted in a widerlistenership and appreciation for this genre. Yet classical music has remained,for better or worse, a rather exclusive art form, appreciated and nurtured by arather small group of fans (at least in Pakistan). This group is well-versed inthe intricacies, technicalities as well as the niceties associated withclassical music. It knows, for example, the etiquette of a ‘mehfil’ and the‘ehtiraam’ accorded an Ustad, and in mehfils where this group is exclusivelypresent, such niceties are usually expected to be followed.
Any art form, however exclusive, cannot hope to remain bothinsular and vibrant. In terms of Classical music, this problem is somewhatrectified by including a sizeable number of lay-listeners in mehfils and therepertoire is designed to include more popular ‘items’ along with the ‘thaith’classical pieces. Another very common trend is inviting these musicians,especially Qawwals, to functions such as weddings, parties etc where theyperform to a decidedly mixed crowd. Now, the point I was trying to elaborate inthe question of the start of this piece comes into play. How is thelay-listener, with not more than a passing interest in what the musicians areperforming, supposed to react? Does he, despite the fact that whatever is beingperformed is flying over his head or that his attention is constantly beingdiverted by the rather delectable looking lamb-chop at the wedding buffet,feign interest and try to treat the music and the musicians with something morethan cursory attention ? Or does he, following his heart (and stomach), headstraight to the group of his friends – with a small detour at the buffet tableof course – and start chattering like nobody’s business, not giving a hoot tothe group of people gesticulating and caterwauling on stage ?
As an enlargement of the above question, unless theclassical musicians have modified their repertoire to include more populistpieces – a step which will more often than not have the effect of alienatingtheir core audience – why should the lay-listener pay attention to this groupof performers, despite the fact that Classical music forms an integral part ofour national culture. Because from the listener’s point of view, in the currenteconomic and political situation, paraphrasing Faiz – ‘Aur bhi gham hainzamanay main culture kie siwa’. And again, perhaps his cultural touchstonesinclude something completely different from those of classical music fans.Perhaps he digs Atif Aslam and the latest Bollywood music, perhaps he’s intohip-hop or death-metal or Naseebo Lal. Why should he give a hoot to the factthat Ustad Ghulam Hussain Shaggan is currently living in a two-room apartmentin a seedy part of Lahore or that Ustad Manzoor Ahmed Niazi is now the lastsurviving member of a legendary generation of Qawwals or that a treasure troveof Classical music recordings is slowly decomposing in the basement of theRadio Pakistan building in Lahore?
This is a thorny issue, for both the listener and themusicians. Should a more populist approach be tried by the musicians andtolerated by the die-hard listeners or is adherence to the classical idiom,coupled with increased patronage by the core group of listeners the wayforward? Because one thing is clear – at least to me- Classical Music,classical Qawwali and all similar art-forms, will have rather limited appeal ascompared to more popular arts unless drastic changes in performance are made.It will always be up to the small yet devoted group of listeners to archive,promote, nurture and introduce this art form, like it has been in the past. Idon’t know who can shoulder the blame if these art-forms continue to decline,but at least it isn’t the wedding guest noisily munching on his lamb-chop andenjoying the company of his friends, oblivious to the fading echoes of what hecertainly doesn’t consider his ‘culture’.
Syndicated from: Tangled Up In Blue
Tags: 2012, author, Avril Lavigne, Be yourself, books, Dance Music, e-books, Georgia, Happy New Year, Kyocera S1600 Cellular Phone, Marilyn Monroe Quotes, music, New Year, New Year's Day, Prince, Reading, sleep, weight loss
10 Things A Girl Should Do in 2012
Posted on 03 January 2012 by Tea Server
2012 is here and a chance for every girl to move on with a fresh mind and a positive attitude, a new year is every men’s birthday. So girls, leave your past behind, the best is yet to come in your way. Here are 10 things which every girl must do in 2012. Check them out.
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| 25 New Year Quotes |
1. Sleep Well
You mind needs as much rest as your body does. You don’t want Prince Charming to see those awful dark circles when he finally comes courting. Sounds like Avril Lavigne gone clumsy with her eye make up. Trust me, you don’t want to look that, unless what you attain is something as perfect as how Avril really does it.
2. Know a Female Role Model’s Life Story
There are so many wonderful women out there who made life as easy as it is for us today. We take something for granted that was once considered unimaginable. “Women, equal to men?” They would laugh and even the weaker of the female sex shuddered at the thought. Women have come a long way. Pick up a personality that appeals to you and read her life story. An occasional look into some historical figure biography is a treasure trove of life lessons.
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| Marilyn Monroe Quotes |
3. Set Goals
The age old principle of living a healthy, constructive life. Don’t take this for granted! Are your goals aligned with your life’s current flow? What skills do you require in attaining those goals? How do they benefit you and those around you? Are they still practical? How would you define them as something tangible as of now? Ask yourself these basic questions when defining them. Goals, objectives, aiming high towards them all play a vital role in building our self confidence. Do not take making new year resolutions as a chore or as plain fun. See it as a thought process that continuously mirrors all your efforts and see yourself as someone better than last year.
4. Sort Out Priorities
Goals and priorities go hand in hand. Do not expect a goal to quench your thirst for inner satisfaction if it does not fall somewhere around your priority list. Once you have some goals to work on, sort them out according to how and why they add something to your life. This step is a must do for every girl who wants to live a constructive life. Revise your priorties frequently and see if they are still aligned with how your life is carrying on.
5. Read More Books
I’m not talking about e-books here, please. I mean that old, traditional style of reading books tucked under a warm blanket by the fire. Books demand respect. They love to be sought, held, taken in word by word, adorned, and sometimes, read over and over. Old books with edges turned brown and page turned yellow with age are more the delight. Set a target to achive this year when it comes to book reading and give it your best shot. Oh, and make sure what you read is worth your time and attention.
6. Listen to Dance Music
Sure we’ve all had one particular song that brings out sad memories. They sat, sadness is beautiful, so you end up listening to that musical reminder of your woes over and over. Enough. Make a new playlist. Delete the old. Listen to dance music, smile if it makes you, laughing is even better. Don’t be shy if you want to get up and start moving. Dance like no one’s watching! This year is going to be yours!
7. Soul Searching
What’s with everyone so super busy with today’s grinding life that constitute of only work, work and more work? This year, set aside some time exclusively for you. Just when you think every thing is going a little too fast, see that as a signal from your brain that tells you you’re getting short of a leisurely “Me” time. Do some soul searching. We’ve forgotten how good that feels.
8. Weight Loss
That’s, like, nothing new dude. It’s something we girls are eternally putting our efforts into. This year, be firm about it. That’s where all the difference lies. Turn your intangible dreams about being size zero into something more attainable and practical like knowing what size actually suits you and what you’re comfortable in. Not every one looks good in that skinny, tall rail image of fashion models. This year, works on a look that seems tailor made just for you. Remember, looking comfortable in your skin is more attractive than looking like a distant diva right off the ramp. [More on Weight Loss]
9. Be the Author of Your Own Story
Like they say, have a plan for yourself because if you let yourself be a part of someone else’s story, chances are they might not really have a plan for you. At the end of this wonderous life, when you’ll look back at what you achieved and what you lost, decisions and choices you made throughout your life will show you the person you have become over the years. Make sure no one else but you is the author of your story. If you’re still a little on this pointer, it isn’t too late. Hold the reins of your life in your hands, so whatever happens in the end, you know it was your choice and that should comfort you alone. If the decisions require you to be bold, step up, be brave. It’s just a test, perhaps.
10. Be You
Faking never comes natural to anyone. The best people you come by are the ones you find are honest and genuine. No one fills your shoes better than yourself. Whatever the color of your skin, however the shape of your body or features, you’re a beauty like none other. God carved you with His Hands. How can you be anything but beautiful, then? This year, make a resolution to be YOU. Whatever you achieve this year, carry your own self with it, proudly and graciously. You’re the best, honey!
so make you 2012 awesome by following these 10 rules, do crazy stuff and don’t forget to have fun. Happy 2012!
[Image Source: WeHeartIt]
Syndicated from: She Exists
Tags: A. B. Vajpayee, Ali Sardar Jafri, Allahabad, Amritsar, anil, anil sehgal, artist, editor, Faiz, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Faiz Sahib, Ghazal, ghazal singer, India, Indian Air Force, Jammu, jpeg, Karachi, Kashmir, Lahore, Maha, Mir Taqi Mir, Moneeza Hashmi, Mumbai, music, Nawaz Sharif, Officer, Pakistan, Pakistan-India, Peace, PIPFPD, Poetry, Prime Minister, Progressive Writers Association, respected Editor, Salima Aapa, Seema Sehgal, singer, Sqn Ldr Anil Sehgal, Taqi Mir, The Kashmir Times, Urdu, Ved Bhasin, Zakia Sarwar
The ‘Bulbul-e-Kashmir’ sings for Indo-Pak peace
Posted on 31 December 2011 by Tea Server
This personal blog post is dedicated to an inspiring couple in Mumbai and to the editor who introduced us: May our tribe increase.
Enduring ties: Seema Sehgal at PIPFPD, Karachi, 2003, with me and my daughter Maha. Photo by Ved Bhasin.
I met Seema Sehgal in Karachi, in December 2003 at the 6th Joint Convention of the Pakistan India Forum for Peace and Democracy (PIPFPD). Ved Bhasin, the respected Editor of The Kashmir Times, Jammu, introduced us. “Seema,” he said, “is known as the Bulbul-e-Kashmir (Nightingale of Kashmir).”
Ved Bhasin: Shukriya
The petite and unassuming Mumbai-based ghazal singer from Jammu has none of the airs one might expect from a performer of her calibre. She is not only an amazing artist, but she also has a deep and abiding interest in Urdu poetry and in Indo-Pak peace. When relations plummeted between the two countries following the nuclear tests of May 1998, Seema dedicated her new album ‘Sarhad’ to peace between the India and Pakistan. Indian Prime Minister A. B. Vajpayee presented the album, a compilation of Seema Sehgal’s rendering of the poetry of Ali Sardar Jafri, as a national gift to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the historic Lahore summit of Feb 1999.
Seema Sehgal is the only singer in India – or Pakistan for that matter – to have composed and sung an entire concert on the poetry of Allama Iqbal, ‘Sitaron se aage jahan aur bhi hain’ (2003), produced as the first solo album based on Iqbal’s poetry. She has also composed and sung concerts of renowned Urdu poets Mir Taqi Mir (1986) and Faiz Ahmed Faiz (1988).
Through email, I became acquainted with her husband Sqn Ldr Anil Sehgal. My initial wariness at communicating with a former Indian air force pilot quickly dissipated. Anil is as passionate about music and about peace with Pakistan as his wife.
Over the years, I’ve helped them connect with friends in Pakistan for various cross-border projects. When I was looking for music for ‘Milne Do’, my documentary film on Kashmir, I saw Anil on chat and asked him to send me something of Seema’s Within seconds, I had the audio of Seema’s rendition of Ali Sardar Jafri’s marvelous ‘Guftugu Bund Na ho’. That I used for the soundtrack and it adds tremendously to the film.
A rapt and full audience at the Faiz Centenary celebrations in Karachi, Nov 2011 (Zakia Sarwar in pink)
Seema and Anil were recently in Pakistan for a Faiz Centenary event organised by the Progressive Writers Association, where by all accounts Seema blew everyone away with her heartfelt renditions of Faiz Sahib’s poetry. I was sorry to have missed their visit to my hometown but happy they were able to connect and spend some time with my mother Zakia Sarwar, also a poetry and Faiz lover, who commented, “She was clearly in her element and so touched by the ovation that she got, and to be able to perform at Faiz Sahib’s centenary celebrations in Pakistan.”
Soon after returning to Mumbai, Seema and Anil headed to Allahabad (where my father is from) to participate in PIPFP’s 8th Joint Convention. The opening day “was a very subcontinental Baraat reception,” says Danish Husain (@danhusain) of Dastangoi. “Late train, delays, ecstatic reception, dhol, dance, and hugs!”
He wasn’t able to stay beyond the opening night, so I don’t yet have an update on Seema’s performance, one of the several cultural items at the three-day long event.
A couple of months ago, Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s younger daughter Moneeza Hashmi emailed Seema and Anil explaining that an event scheduled for December that she had invited them to had to be postponed due to financial constraints.
“We understand,” responded Anil. “But we wish you to understand that we have great respect for poetry of Faiz sahib, and for you and Salima Aapa (Faiz’s older daughter).
“Seema sings poetry of substance and does not sing for money. Money is just incidental, and so are the comforts it brings… We shall love to participate in any event that you plan with his (Faiz) poetry. If you are short of resources, we shall come through Wagah and will even travel on our own from Mumbai to Amritsar & back.”
Long live the spirit of the Bulbul-e-Kashmir and her retired Indian Air Force officer. Shukriya, Ved Bhasin sahib, for the introduction.
Syndicated from: Journeys to democracy
Tags: energy, love, music, music of reed, Nooru, Nooru's Blog, Nooru's Diary, Nooruddin Jala, pain, Shedding tears, silent tears, Tears of joy, The Thoughts That Strike me
Shedding Silent Tears
Posted on 29 December 2011 by Tea Server
Winter has finally arrived. The end of the year is approaching; very soon we will enter into another year of this century with bundle of hopes.
As usual, I’m standing at balcony gazing at the clear sky, observing calm the sea, listening to heartwarming melodies that drive me crazy while, the mildness of breeze and the silence of night breed the madness of unity with my own realm- where the music knocks at the door of feelings and bring the purest memories of past which reposed deep. These memories are flapping like invisible wings around me, filling the depth of my heart with pain and joy that bring tears to my eyes.
Once again this heart sinks in pain; moments of life have gone too fast. O’ friends!! I’m dwelling in the region of thoughts and loosing the power of words. Tears roll down on my face, when I think of those moments, when I miss school days, when I miss the hug of mother, when I miss the songs of childhood, when I miss the moments I’ve spent thinking of you. O’ cold Chemistry come and see what you have done to me!
The silent tears establishing a connection with the world where the days are filled with dreams night with burning ideas, where the nearness of understanding becomes easy and energy of solitariness transforms into an art of expression, where my heart grows twice larger and my vision of life becomes less dim, where parched lips meet with the silent tears streaming down on my face…..!!!!
I believe love that is washed by tears will remain eternally pure and beautiful- [KG]. Perhaps, one need to be cleansed by tears once in a while so that one can see life with a clear view— so what if my healing comes through these tears that are trapping memories of happiness in them.
The memory of such night remains forever.
With love,
Nooru
Syndicated from: Nooru’s Blog
Tags: 5 Ghantey Mien 5 Crore, Abhishek Kumar, Adeel Ejaz, Ali Mustafa, DJ Ali Mustafa, Faisal Saif, Hasan Amin, Haseena Khanani, Kavita Radheshyam, Meera, music, Official, Raza Jaffri, Sana Humayun, YouTube, Zindagi Kahun
Zindagi Kahun (Hasan Amin) – 5 Ghantey Mien 5 Crore
Posted on 27 December 2011 by Tea Server
Click here to view the video on YouTube.
The Official Zindagi Kahun Music Video is out.. Hasan Amin (New Pakistani Talent).. Video featuring Sana Humayun with Meera, Abhishek Kumar and ‘Controversial’ Kavita Radheshyam..
Singer :- Hasan Amin
Song :- Zindagi Kahun
Film :- 5 Ghantey Mien 5 Crore
Artist :- Hasan Amin
Lyrics :- Hasan Amin
Music :- DJ Ali Mustafa
Director :- Adeel Ejaz (Andy)
Art Dir :- Raza Jaffri
D.O.P :- Amir
Make – Up :- R Kays
Wardobe :- Haseena Khanani & Element Jeans
Tags: food items, Happiness Around Me!, Imran Khan, Jinnah ground, Karachi, media channels, music, politics, PTI, PTI jalsa, Salman Ahmed, speeches, tehreek-e-insaaf, yum yum food stalls
Jalsa- Ankhon dekha haal!
Posted on 25 December 2011 by Tea Server
Since everyone is talking about the speeches that were made by the leading politicians recently joining Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, I would want to highlight the public and the gestures that I got to witness from a bunch of people around me. All the overwhelming moments that I am going to talk about would be different from the ones already been talked about 
No bad incident reported from the attendees side. Yes there were some arguments amongst the spectators because of not being able to see Immi K on the stage, yet these matters were resolved in jiffy and ended up in humor.
Youngsters leaving space and seats for elderly people in the Jalsa gah. This was such a splendid thing to see and witness the amount of respect the young lot had for senior citizens.
Women and children from all parts of the city were present. I didn’t see any kids crying or asking their mums to get out of the jam packed Jinnah ground. They were enjoying the IK songs and Patriotic numbers being played by the hidden DJ. The hidden DJ was not kind enough to let the whole song play . Whenever the public got into the momentum of dancing, he would stop the music. haha.
I liked how my bag was checked thrice and I had to go through the security check 6 times before reaching in the front rows before stage. The volunteers were being responsible enough to check anyone and everyone.
Separate enclosures for guys and families made it pretty organized and helped maintaining the discipline.
The huge screens in different parts of the city made it possible for every walking creature on the streets of Karachi to witness the historic moment. Later on the media channels took over and it was being shown on all News channels.
The yum yum food stalls outside the ground were such a delight to see. Many hawkers came up with their amazing food items to entertain the attendees. This would have surely given them some good business.
The shuttles that were running in all parts of the city, made sure that the attendees reach at the venue in time and under full security. Hats off to the drivers!
Pakistan Zindabad! IK managed to spread the love today to 250,000 people! GOD bless this country!
Syndicated from: Soul of Life!
Tags: 5 Ghantey Mien 5 Crore, A song tribute to madam noor jehan, A tribute to Madam Noor Jehan, Abhishek Kumar, director, editor, Faisal Saif, Jehan Madam, Kavita Radheshyam, Leonard Victor, music, Noor Jehan, O Sone Ke Kangna, Sameer Khan, Shibani Kashyap
O Sone Ke Kangna – 5 Ghantey Mien 5 Crore
Posted on 23 December 2011 by Tea Server
Music Video From The Soundtrack Of The Movie ’5 Ghantey Mien 5 Crore’.
A ‘Tribute’ Song To Late Legendary Noor Jehan Madam.
O Sone Ke Kangna:
Featuring: Shibani Kashyap, Abhishek Kumar, Kavita Radheshyam And Leonard Victor.
Video Directed By: Sameer Khan.
Music: Leonard Victor. Lyrics: Faisal Saif. Editor: Ashutosh. Vocals: Shibani Kashyap
Tags: bfs, cityfm89, Featured Home, Khalid Malik, Khalid Malik CityFM89, music, People, Profiles, radio, the breakfast show
Profile: Khalid Malik
Posted on 19 December 2011 by Tea Server
From shy young man to rockstar RJ, The Breakfast Show host, Khalid Malik, wakes up Pakistan on a bright and positive note on good days and bad.
Syndicated from: Newsline » People
Tags: Apple, Christina Aguilera, Destiny, Facebook, He Wasn't Man Enough, Lady Gaga, music, Shania Twain, Toni Braxton, Trebuchet MS, Tunes I Like Tuesday, Twitter, YouTube
6 Songs That Celebrate Girl Power
Posted on 13 December 2011 by Tea Server
Welcome to this week’s Tunes I Like Tuesday and see what’s on my play list this week.
–
1. Destiny’s Child – Independent Women
2. Lady Gaga – Born This Way
3. Toni Braxton – He Wasn’t Man Enough
4. Christina Aguilera – Fighter
5. Pink – So What
6. Shania Twain – That Don’t Impress Me Much
Got a suggestion? Send us in the comment box below.
For more on our music collection:
Love music back from the 1990s? Who doesn’t!!
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Syndicated from: the perfect line
Tags: 5 Ghantey Mein 5 Crore, Andheri, Cinemax, Faisal Saif, launch, Meera, movies, music, YouTube
5 Ghantey Mein 5 Crore Music Launch At Cinemax Andheri
Posted on 11 December 2011 by Tea Server
Click here to view the video on YouTube.
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