| GuestSpeaker “Pakistan cricket needs overhauling” – Strings’ Bilal Maqsood speaks out on the current cricket scenario Bilal Maqsood Even if the Pakistani team is proven not guilty, which seems very unlikely at the moment, we all know that they all are a bunch of shady people who play only for themselves. Their punishment should be exemplary. In spite of losing, God knows how many matches in a row, they get half a million each from the PCB for winning the Oval test match. Question: Aren’t these guys paid money to play and win? Some of them get up to 800,000 rupees per test match. So why pay them extra for doing what they are supposed to do? Or….were they paid their cut for losing the first two? Hmmm? Look what’s happening in Pakistan. On one hand we are begging the world for money and on the other hand we are throwing away money as if we own the World Bank. 500,000 to each playing team member and 250,000 to non-playing at the Oval test. Why? Everything seems like a big scam. Well, it has to end now. PCB and the Pakistan cricket team need overhauling. I’m sure most of you will agree that there should be no international cricket at all for the next two years in Pakistan. As it is no team wants to come to Pakistan, so why do we need to travel such long distances only to get humiliated? Suggestion: For the next two ye To find the right people for PCB I suggest four people who I think are the best in what they do and are devoted and passionate Pakistanis too. They are normal people like us and do not have any political connection or agenda. These people should hunt for the right office for the new Pakistani team, a team that will emerge from first class cricket and other cricket workshops in the next two years. These four are Mr. Sarfaraz Rehman (CEO Engro Foods), Mr. Khalid Alvi (Vice President ICI), Mr. Asad Jaffer (CEO Philips Pakistan) and Mujahid Hamid (Ex-Chairman Lever Brothers China). They should sit down, brainstorm, and find the right people for PCB. Then very quickly PCB should take up the task of finding the most talented young cricketers. These young boys should be taught social etiquettes, art of communication and leadership, patience and planning and above all should be injected with an ultimate sense of patriotism. They should be like robots with human emotions. After two years or three, no matter how much time this overhauling takes, when these boys step out into the ground for the first time, our entire nation will stand together to support them. Till then, please no cricket.
– Bilal Maqsood is a member of pop band Strings |
Category: Articles
ars we should just train a fresh new lot. Nurture them mentally, physically and socially under the supervision of a brand new PCB. PCB free of any old baggage. No Ex cricketers, no ex PCB’eers.Red hot! Atif Aslam and Strings shoot for their first collaborative video
‘Ab Khud Hi Kuch Kerna Parega’
Shahzeb Shaikh
Karachi
Pakistani artistes are true patriots. Many, if not all, make it a point to voice the worries of the nation via their art. They make great efforts to compose musical numbers, which not only deliver positive messages to the people but lift their morale. There have been myriad tracks composed on different occasions and situations by different artistes. However, one such band which undoubtedly tops the list in this domain is the duo of Strings, which are Bilal Maqsood and Faisal Kapadia.
Be it terrorism (‘Yeh Hum Nahin’) or brutal massacre of Muslims (‘Beirut’), be it the matter of Indo-Pak friendship (‘Jeet Lo Dil’ with Euphoria) or the World Cup fever (‘Hai Koi Hum Jaisa’), Strings have always been around at each crucial hour.
The latest issue which has caught the band’s attention is the ongoing socio-political turmoil that plagues the country. Pakistan has been hit by a heap of critical issues such as inflation, corruption, water and power crisis, sugar crisis, terrorism etc.
Not surprisingly, these problems lead to serious havoc in the daily lives of many. For this very reason, Strings have taken it upon themselves to boost the morale of the nation with a inspirational anthem, ‘Ab Khud Hi Kuch Kerna Parega’.
For the track, Strings have collaborated with none other than the super popular Atif Aslam. The track aspires to drive raw energy into the youth to stand up for themselves and cure the ill-wills of society.
Shot by Jami – whose previous videos with Strings have resulted in gems like ‘Duur’, ‘Dhaani’, ‘Humsafar’ – who was at the helm of this video shoot, the locations were spread throughout Karachi.
The first one was a set in the middle of a Saddar market with dark backdrop. This was to symbolize the murky and gloomy situation that surrounds us. Another was the rooftop of a 16 storey building, which according to the team was to capture the view of the entire city to complement the concept. Since the building was under-construction with no elevator, one had to either walk or ride a motor cycle to reach the rooftop.
Atif Aslam and Strings were all dressed in black outfits. The location in fact reminded me of the video of ‘Koi Aanay Wala Hai’ in which the band performed on the rooftop of a skyscraper in Malaysia.
Speaking with Instep Today, Atif Aslam commented: “Songs sending message to the youth hardly click with the audience in Pakistan. The only thing is 
that no one in the country is realizing that whatever wrong is happening here isn’t being prevented. So, the message in the content is all about that. We should do something about it instead of getting on with our own lives. This is our country and it has given us a lot. And a lot needs to be done for it.”
I asked him if it’s the dissatisfaction with the present scenario and government’s performance that has urged him to deliver this message, he replied, “Well, I don’t know about the government but I think whatever is happening around is not fine.”
About the experience of working with Strings, Atif joyfully said, “Amazing! It has always been an enjoyable process, working with Strings.”
Meanwhile director Jami, in between breaks, spoke to us and expressed his wish that the song be a wake up call. “Allah kare, the nation wakes up!” he said and added, “Even if it works one per cent, I think we will have achieved our task.” When asked whether his dissatisfaction is with the government and the current situation urged him to work on this concept, he aptly answered, “There is no point in accusing the government. The government will do what the people will ask them to. So the people should stand up for themselves!”
Jami described the experience of working with Strings as heavenly. They sync very well; Jami has directed memorable videos for ‘Duur, ‘Dhaani’ and ‘Anjaanay’
The shoot involved several re-takes and finally ended as the sun began to set.
Speaking about the concept of the video, Bilal Maqsood told us, “This is my concept. It was conceived when we returned from the US tour last year. As one returns from a successful tour, one is excited about it. However, upon returning, we witnessed critical issues such as security, terrorism, load shedding, inflation, unemployment, disturbing almost everyone. Hence, we decided to pen the lyrics which depicted the current scenario.”
Interestingly, after a long time, Strings have come out with a track which hasn’t been penned by the legendary Anwar Maqsood. Faisal threw light on it, “This song has been written with heart and soul keeping in mind the present turmoil. Since this song doesn’t have a love theme, we didn’t require poetry or any fabrication. Hence whatever Bilal felt, he penned it down. We made it a point that the song could be understood by the common man.”
When asked as to why Atif Aslam was chosen for this collaboration, Faisal stated, “First of all, the message this song carries for the youth is that they will have to do something together. So, when we talk of doing something together, it had to be us who should have done this track in collaboration. And who could be better than Atif Aslam? He has done so much for Pakistan!” said Faisal. “We also know Atif very well so when the project came up, we made him listen to the song and he expressed his willingness in doing it as a patriotic Pakistani.”
So what does the band expect to achieve with this effort? “We never have any expectations from any project. We would only want people to relate with this song. We blame others and expect others to rectify mistakes. But the time has come that we will have to do things on an individual level,” said Faisal.
Musically, the track is bouncy, full of life with rocking riffs and motivational lyrics such as “Ab khud hi kuch kerna parega hum ko/Jalna parega/Marna parega”. The most attention grabbing part, however, is Bilal’s guitar solo of the national anthem. Here is hoping that the song makes the connection the artists hope for with the people!
– Photos by Tarik Hussain
Thank you for the music
Strings and Atif aslam have collaborated on their new song �Ab Khud Hei Kuch Kerna Parega�. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI: With hundreds of comments rolling in on music discussion forums as the news of their joint venture broke online in May, Strings and Atif Aslam’s song “Ab Khud Hei Kuch Kerna Parega” and its video is eagerly awaited by their fans.
On the top of a sixteen-floor, high-rise building in Karachi, the shooting of the video was scheduled to begin with Jami as the director.
Speaking to The Express Tribune before the start of the shoot, Atif Aslam said, “Definitely, I am very excited about it.”
Faisal Kapadia, lead singer of Strings, added, “Yes, excitement is there because a collaboration of two is there. That makes it all the more exciting.”
The theme of “Ab Khud Hei Kuch Kerna Parega” underlines the dark reality that the country is facing. With political force, its apathy to deal with the decaying political situation in Pakistan and unstable security conditions, the song itself is an inspiration to deal with ongoing troubles.
With motivational lyrics, the song is meant to bring positive energy to the young crowd, to stand up for themselves and do something about the ongoing situation.
All three artists appeared in black outfits to match the theme of their video’s second part of the shoot. According to Bilal Maqsood, lead guitarist of Strings, the choice of black was to give a broader perspective and a complete picture of what musicians feel as they invite the youth to take action against social and political instability.
With Strings’ videos shot in unconventional locations like deserts and railway stations, the roof top of a partly constructed building was not a matter of mere choice. Jami, who has also directed Strings’ video for “Duur”, wanted to capture a broader view of the city. Absar, first assistant to Jami, told The Express Tribune, “We wanted to stand atop a high-rise building, from where we could see the city in the backdrop to give a complete picture to the concept.”
After a series of retakes, the shoot completed as the sun began to set. Meant for a timely cause, the artists hope it brings the same inspiration among the audience that the musicians have tried to capture through their audio and video, alike.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 24th, 2010.
MusicMix
5 minutes with Strings
Hani Taha Salim
Karachi
The environment for music has changed. While one-off gigs will always take place, the whole ‘concept’ of tours is slowly taking a backseat. More musicians make news performing across the border than locally. It maybe security reasons and the fear it brings out in everyone these days. These are, as they say, testing times. But if there is one band that always manages to shine a light on music amidst the daily chaos that surrounds us, it is Strings. In between music videos, recently concluded Pakistan tour and high profile performances (such as the recent one at Frieha Altaf’s Catwalk Production 20th anniversary show where Strings belted out Vital Signs tune with former VS bassman Shahi Hasan), Strings have signed on as brand ambassador for Etihad Airways. 
Now on the break and preparing for shows across America, Bilal Maqsood and Faisal Kapadia of Strings talk to Instep Today about brand Pakistan, tours and what’s next…
Instep Today: Tell us about your recently concluded Pakistan tour?
Strings: Yes, the shows are finally over. We did around 15 concerts in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad including Bhurban. We performed at LUMS and IBA, Foundation Public School and Lahore Grammar, Royal Rodale… the whole tour was amazing. The crowd was full of energy, excited and it was absolutely amazing.
Instep Today: How was the turnout considering the current political climate?
Strings: We were surprised. But we believe that arts and culture should thrive. Everyday we read about bomb blasts, whether it is Peshawar or any other place. It is disheartening but there is a need to move on. We realised that the only way to combat is by strength. We need to do more live shows. People did come out for these shows and they want to.
Instep Today: Tell us about your collaboration with Etihad Airways? How does it affect brand Strings?
Strings: Etihad is a premium brand and it’s always good to be associated with a large quality brand. Music and travel are very closely related in the sense that one is always listening to music while travelling and the fact that as a band we perform abroad extensively and not just in places like the UAE, America and England, but in places like Norway, Nepal and South Africa. The outreach that we will now get with a travel partner like Etihad is going to be huge. As is to perform in front of fans, wherever these fans may be. There are always places that we wish we could go to but are unable to. With Etihad we will be able to reach out to smaller communities that we otherwise don’t get an opportunity to do so due to logistics.
Instep Today: How does the Strings-Etihad alliance contribute to building Pakistan as a brand?
Strings: Building ‘Pakistan’ as a brand is important and whenever we travel abroad, we are representing the country and are brand ambassador’s for the country’s image. If we had tied up with a brand in Pakistan it would just restrict our brand building within the country. Creating an alliance with a global brand like Etihad allows us to take Pakistan and our culture global to smaller and bigger communities abroad. That is the only way that perception will change; through this people to people interaction. 
Instep Today: What’s in the pipeline…
Strings: We have just shot a video with Atif Aslam and were judges at a national songs competition called Azmay Alee Shaan. We normally don’t judge any of the music programmes but this show was different since it focused on music and song writing. It’s a special show since its inciting a passion for Pakistan and making an active effort at cultivating song writers who are vital to the growth of the music industry.
Instep Today: Several musicians/bands have steered into production. Will Strings follow suit?
Strings: We like to focus on one thing at a time and don’t want to deviate into production. Your hunger for your art goes away if you think of surviving. Our priority has always been to perform. Money comes, one shouldn’t worry about that.
Instep Today: What’s the song that is most requested amongst audiences abroad?
Strings: ‘Sar Ki Yeh Pahar’ is a huge song. The type of response and reaction that we get for it is mesmerizing to this day.
Instep Today: How can musicians play a role in building up Pakistan as a brand?
Strings: Pakistani musicians are getting considerable international recognition and fame. Atif Aslam, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Shafqat Amanat Ali have played a tremendous role in taking Pakistan global. The goal now is to not only focus on the world but to focus within the country where we are suffering due to constant political and security tensions. It’s also important to get new voices and new people into the industry and give existing new entrants their due recognition. Established musicians like us still manage to survive by doing concerts abroad; it’s the fresh talent that suffers. People have to stop being so scared and make the effort of going out of their home to revive the culture of going to a concert. We took an initiative by doing a local tour of targeting colleges and performing about 16 concerts and hope that we can continue the trend.
The sky’s the limit for Strings
Bilal Maqsood and Faisal Kapadia are the new brand ambassadors for Etihad Airways. PHOTO:ATHAR KHAN/EXPRESS.
KARACHI: Strings have endorsed several brands over the past decade, including Pepsi, Mobilink, Warid, Gibson guitars and they have now been chosen by Etihad Airways as brand ambassadors for the airline.
This deal shows how Strings has come full circle, given that the band’s first international tour was to Sharjah in 1992. Strings, which featured four band members then, had a mixed reaction from the expat audience in Sharjah. Bilal Maqsood and Faisal Kapadia laughingly told the now-defunct music website bandbaja.org in 2004 that they were not paid in full for the Sharjah concert from the tour promoters.
It is ironic – and a sign of how far the band has come that they are now endorsing the country’s national airline.
At a press conference to announce their new deal, Strings was flanked by officials from the airline. Peter Baumgartner, the Etihad Airways commercial chief officer said, “It is a great afternoon for us. Etihad values its relationship with Pakistan and we welcome Faisal and Bilal to this partnership. (We see that) Strings continue to grow and so does Etihad Airways. Strings has a different approach to music and Etihad Airways is running on those same modern lines.”
One of the key reasons for the airline choosing Strings is that the duo has a huge fan following in the Gulf amongst the desi community. Strings believe that the partnership will showcase a ‘softer’ side of Pakistan as well.
Baumgartner described the partnership with Strings as a “natural fit”. “It’s a new territory for us, and it showcases our commitment to the Pakistani community living in UAE, UK and America. Strings will provide prestige and glamour to the airline and vice versa.”
“It is a proud moment for both of us,” Kapadia said. “It is great that Etihad is investing in the country and promoting culture through music.”
Maqsood said, “(Through this) the soft image of the country is being promoted. They have signed us up and we hope that we are able to match our music.”
When asked why Strings chose to partner with Etihad (the national airline of the United Arab Emirates) instead of the national flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines, Maqsood candidly remarked, “After all, our president lives in Dubai too.”
The band’s upcoming song, “Ab Khud Hi Kuch Karna Parega”, which features Atif Aslam, will focus on the current sociopolitical situation in the country. Maqsood said, “Last year, we were touring the US and when we came back, we had a reality check about the recent happenings in the country. We started writing the lyrics. We have worked with acclaimed Indian artists and this time round we thought someone from Pakistan (will fit in this) and what better name than Atif Aslam. So we recorded the song with him”
When asked what role politicians have to play in Pakistan, Maqsood said, “We expect a lot from our politicians. I don’t think they will do anything, we ourselves have to get up and do it.”
Kapadia told The Express Tribune that the band is heading back to foreign shores. “We are touring the US for the next two months and have been part of a national music contest called “Azme Alishan” which we were judging. Next up is shooting the video for “Ab Khud Hi Kuch Karna Parega”.
Published in the Express Tribune, 4th, 2010.
| Pakistani band now Etihad Airways brand ambassador |
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| Friday, June 04, 2010 By our correspondent KARACHI: Eithad Airways signed Pakistani pop band Strings as its brand ambassador to target expatriates living around the world, airline officials said on Thursday. The year-long contract with an international airline for a local band is the first in the country and it is being seen as a much-needed boost to the local entertainment industry, hit hard by terrorism. �It is not only about free air tickets. We needed something like this to promote the true image of Pakistan,� said Faisal Kapadia. �We want to do concerts internationally, but it is very expensive. This deal will help to overcome that.� Kapadia along with Bilal Maqsood shot to fame in 90s. Their songs have been used as soundtracks in many Indian and Hollywood movies. Maqsood said that the number of concerts had come down drastically over the last three years. �Not many people are interested in organising large musical events.� Chief Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways Peter Baumgartner said Strings would help the Abu Dhabi-based airline to reach out to Pakistani expatriates. �We have planned a lot of cultural events where Strings will be performing.� |
Eithad Airways signs Strings as their Brand Ambassadors. The signing ceremony happened today at Karachi Sheraton Hotel.
A while back we reported that pop-rock giants Strings and superstar Atif Aslam were collaborating on a tune together. Now
the song has finally happened. Speaking with Instep Today, Faisal Kapadia confirmed this news. The song, written by Bilal Maqsood, is called ‘Ab Khud He Kuch Karna Paray Ga’. “We’re scheduled to shoot the video. It was a lot of fun and it’s exciting. When you collaborate, there is always an extra mile but it was great.”
Hopefully by this time next month, we’ll be singing along. Although Faisal was mostly mum on the subject, he did tell us that “its a motivational song” and will be released as a single.
Meanwhile Strings are also looking at Bollywood offers at the moment. “Rohit Roy is a friend of ours and he wanted us to do a song for a film. We said yes without looking at anything. That’s what friends are for. John Abraham also has a few films on his hands and he also wants us to do a song.” But if we look at Strings’ history in Bollywood, they don’t just sign onto any film. They are very selective. “We are looking at offers but we will sign on if it’s suitable for our genre.”
For now, both Atif and Strings are looking at tours. While Atif Aslam is currently in Holland on a tour, Strings are getting ready to fly out to the US of A alongside Fuzon. It’s early to tell how long the tour will go on. They start off from Houston and may hit Washington DC or New York. But the confirmed venues will be out soon.
“We’ll have the complete schedule within a week.”
With the ubiquitous catastrophic law and order situation in Pakistan and the menace of loadshedding that has put the organisers of musical events under a great deal of stress, Karachi too has been quite inactive in hosting entertainment dos.
A much-awaited gig featuring Faisal Kapadia and Bilal Maqsood of Strings was recently held at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) on the occasion of its annual carnival function organised by the students’ society. The host, VJ Waqar Zaka, in his signature witty and funky style entertained the audience until the band stepped in. One thing Strings must be accredited with is punctuality. The floor literally vibrated as the crowd welcomed the duo on stage amid massive applause. Faisal immediately ignited the proceedings with a rocked up version of Koi Aanay Wala Hai while Bilal strummed an extended guitar intro to set the mood right. Undoubtedly Faisal is a powerhouse performer and in Najane Kyun, the combination of Bilal’s sky-scraping guitar riffs and Faisal’s captivating vocals was a lethal combination.
Faisal has a knack of reaching out to the audience and this was prominent in Chaaye Chaaye where he urged the young crowd to join in. Before the next track, he had the stage lights turned off and asked the audience to raise their cellphones/cameras. What followed was a spellbinding rendition of Zinda which had a different feel altogether when performed live. For the soulful Sar Kiye Yeh Pahar, Bilal took over the microphone as Faisal took a respite. The energy was pumped back into the crowd with an immaculate performance of Duur. Bilal Maqsood rocked the crowd with a combination of thumping and mellow guitar riffs.
With Akhri Alvida the evening hit its mellowest note. Bilal’s opening soothing guitar chords and Faisal’s mesmerising vocal delivery touched the soft side of listeners who hummed along. The gig came to a halt with Bilal’s electrifying performances of Sohniye and Anjane. In a post-concert chat Faisal said, “Before I went out for the performance, I didn’t know what the crowd would be like, but while performing, they seemed like family. It was a wonderful experience.” The event was sponsored by Warid.
PULLIN’ THE RIGHT STRINGS &FEELIN’ EUPHORIC
PRIYANKA DASGUPTA & ASHOK CHATTERJEE
Film-maker Feroz Abbas Khan, who was introducing the programme that was dedicated to former CM Jyoti Basu, was overwhelmed by the turnover of youth at the Kolkata leg of the concert. “I’ve been to the Aman Ki Asha concerts in Delhi and Mumbai. In Delhi, there were thousands attending the show and countless others waiting for passes outside the venue. In Mumbai, it was so overwhelming to see Shubha Mudgal and Abidaji together on stage. Kolkata was a completely different experience altogether. We had just come out of mourning and yet the young crowd was so spontaneous in their support for a cause. As I said, at the people-to-people level, the verdict is out. We want to stop bickering and imagine a tomorrow that’s without hatred. I wish at least one Pakistani player was taken in IPL-3. Sports would have benefited immensely through this gesture,” he said.
Euphoria frontman Dr Palash Sen took to the stage with the stuti, vakratunda mahakaya, and then a prarthana. Dressed in all white, the attire only reinforced the peace initiative. Rok sako toh, Dhoom pichak dhoom… gave an adrenaline rush. It’s rare that a band gets a large section of the crowd on its feet just three songs down the concert. In between, Palash wisecracked about how the 1947 divide meant a lot of beautiful girls moving over to the other side of the border. Tongue firmly in cheek, he made a fervent appeal for their comeback with the song: Aa bhi jaa. He dedicated the song, Sayonee, to his friends across the border, Salman, Ali and Bryan. What got everyone emotional was the band’s ever-popular number, Maaeri, that was dedicated to both India and Pakistan. What a treat it was to watch a young group of boys doing a variation of the Highland barn dance to Palash’s improvised rendition of Jodi tor dak shune!
A 10-minute break later, Faisal Kapadia and Bilal Maqsood were up on stage with Koi aaney wala hai. The duo love Kolkata’s culture and the city’s ear for music. And they love rosogolla and rosomalai too. What a soulful performance it was! Chaaye chaaye, Sohniyae, Dhaani, Duur… the crowd wanted more and went into a euphoric high, moments after the duo sung Zinda — their first Bollywood number. The mood was intoxicating even as Faisal requested all lights to be turned off while every member in the crowd kept their mobile phones’ screens alight. As hands swayed in pitch darkness, it looked like freefalling stars dancing in the sky! Cricket too found space as much as Bollywood while Strings dedicated Aa dekhen zara to Knight Riders for IPL 3. If Euphoria had won hearts by asking those across the border to come to Hindustan ke dil ke gulley mein, Adeel got the crowd intoxicated when he played
Sare jahan se accha on his guitar! Finally, the two bands lent their voice to Aman ki asha, a number penned especially for the occasion by Dr Palash Sen. By the time they sang Dil ko jeetenge, which they had jointly recorded a few years ago during the Indo-Pak series, the audience was already on a high. Musically and emotionally, they hummed Yeh dosti hum nahi todenge long after Strings and Euphoria had sung the number on stage. For Kolkata, the Aman Ki Asha concert was not just another band programme. It wasn’t just about braving the cold to shake a leg. It was about wanting to redefine history. It was about realising and feeling that lakeerein are best left to separate countries; they aren’t ever meant for heartbreaks!
