Music in Pakistan

       

Ali Azmat and Jami Mahmood, take a bow. The much-talked about music video of Ali Azmat’s latest single, ‘Bum Phatta’ is finally out and it’s an absolute winner. Ali has been singing ‘Bum Phatta’ at many of his live shows for quite some time and the song has registered with fans across the board. But it’s the music video accompanying the song that will make maximum impact. The collective worth of this Jami directed music video and Ali Azmat’s tongue-in-cheek socio-political song is the same as Shehzad Roy’s ‘Laga Reh’ and that’s saying something because ‘Laga Reh’ truly captured the year of 2007-08. And it seems that the Jami-Ali Azmat combo has done the same for year 2010-11. In the video, we see Ali Azmat emulate different people. Some of them include Hilary Clinton, Che Guevara, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman and Raymond Davis. It sounds complicated, it’s really not. These figures register with the awaam because this is all we see and hear on our television screens daily. And Ali shows what a brilliant comic he is to great affect. On the one hand, Ali Azmat and his merry-men, namely Omran Shafique, Kamran Zafar and Shaan can be seen playing together on a stage, dressed in quirky outfits, thanks to some fine costumes from Munib Nawaz. They remind you of a musical ensemble from perhaps a carnival. On the other hand, one can see the various characters Ali Azmat plays, grooving to the beat. Make up artist Kamal Ahmed deserves kudos for his magnificent job in transforming Ali Azmat to various figures. You really have to see Ali Azmat as Hilary Clinton to believe its power. Then there are the common folks who can be seen, standing in their frustration as they wait for electricity to show up. And these different storylines merge together towards the end but it is done so neatly that there is no room for criticism, which believe it or not, comes as a relief. The music is really significant in making this video stand out. The riffs are catchy and so is the melody. And really it’s the lyrical content that makes the video so powerful. Ali Azmat doesn’t sing in abstract. He sings about really issues like electricity, food, water. As he sings, “Mainu Roti Dey/Mainu Paani Day/Mainu Koi Aur Na Kahani Day”, and it strikes a chord with immediately. The whole tune is filled with such one-liners. This is one of those rare tunes that has all the ingredients to connect with not just the classes, but also the masses. It was the same factor that made Shehzad Roy’s ‘Laga Reh’ and later ‘Qismat Apnay Haath Mein’ stand out and become a favourite with people from all socio-economic backgrounds. Those very elements define a great music video. And ultimately that’s what ‘Bum Phatta’ is. A great music video. Eventually we see a mob storm the stage, violence erupting and shots being fired, all signs of how things develop and take off in our environment. What’s really great about this video is that despite taking swipes at some major players, it isn’t offensive. Because the video is shot with a tongue-in-cheek approach, it stays that way and doesn’t come across as too much. And it has to be said that the timing of this video couldn’t be better. For one thing, it connects with the current climate of Pakistan. For another, it’s just an incredibly fun music video. And those are very hard to come by. The fact remains that music videos, no, GREAT music videos are hard to find. One must also remember that this isn’t the first time that Ali Azmat and Jami have collaborated. They first worked together on the video of ‘Deewana’ from Ali Azmat’s debut record, Social Circus. Personally, I liked ‘Deewana’ and it’s metallic feel, but that video was often criticised for being slightly vague and abstract. But this time, the Ali-Jami combination has pulled all the punches and the result is a music video that is not only fun but is also very clear in terms of a storyline. This is not one of those lame videos where a band performs in some vacant lot, hoping to imitate Atif Aslam’s ‘Aadat’. Nor is it a dark, brooding rock video for no good reason. ‘Bum Phatta’ is magnificent. For its comical timing, political and social relevance and brilliant music, Ali Azmat’s ‘Bum Phatta’ deserves a watch. It’s really something.

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Heart to heart with Ali Azmat

Nusrat Jahan Pritom
Body, voice and form of a rocker, heart and mind of a sage, Ali Azmat came to rock Dhaka for the sixth time on April 16 in the concert 'Djuice turns 5' organised by Rupkotha Events and Communications. 'Dosti'- one of his earliest numbers that he wrote when he was in the band Jupiter long before joining Junoon shook the world. When he recorded the song after joining Junoon-the blend of instrument and poetry had caused rock phenomenon. In 2005, Ali Azmat left the band to pursue a solo career. His first album was the Social Circus after which he released Klashinfolk.

This international artist who turned forty today/last Tuesday (April 20) spoke to The Daily Star about his views of music, society and individuality. As he puts it-'an artist is normally sensitive-they will sit and ponder over what goes on around them. You can't overlook what happens around you".

Ali Azmat translated feelings into words and, in the course of the interview, would bend down occasionally to give a meaningful look that seemed as if words had rather streamed from his eyes. “The policy-makers are taking the world to a disastrous place and the politics are no longer regional.” He stressed on world politics, talked of how power is in the wrong hands and also talked of music. “Music is all about breaking out. Doing beyond the comprehension of the people”

How does it feel like to be in Bangladesh again?
Ali : Great. It's a very musical nation and the bands are just amazing.

What were your earliest inspirations, introducing rock at the time and part of world where it was foreign?
Ali : Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan had a lot to do with it. Rock was cornered at that time. We figured we could put a twist on it and induce a deshi flavour. The earlier reaction was that ‘What happened to Junoon!’ but it became hit gradually. I am still experimenting with sounds. It's going to take some time to realize for me what the fresh sound is going to be.

What were you like as a child?
Ali : I was never very shy. May be a fine line between introversion and extroversion. I knew what I wanted to do. I was naïve and thought the world was a fair place but those views collapse as you grow older.

What would your comment be on the South-Asian (specifically Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Indian) rock scene?
Ali : I would put India and Bangladeshi rock in one bracket as here still exists the essence of the 70's 80's rock, but the Pakistani rockers have moved on to experiment with sounds and fusion. There is a bit of jazz, funk. This messing around has gotten popular at that part of the region, but at the end of the day it is still rock.

Why do you think there is a distinct difference in the Western sound of rock, that is often accompanied by screeching noises, grunts whereas what we call rock in the East has at times a more oriental touch?
Ali : The reason is societies are heavily marginalized. There is so much system and order, that it is natural to be rebellious and that is reflected in their music. But over here, there is turbulence, iniquity, injustice everywhere. We kind of try to find harmony amidst all these oppressions-like you would find a bicycle rider to get through the heavy traffic with ease and aptitude. Songs are just the lyrical connotations of the time we live in.

You have been involved in tv plays, telefilms? How is your involvement in this sector?
Ali : I don't mind if I get a good role, the story is good-why not? But it is time consuming.

Before coming to Bangladesh, you had a tour of Zee tv in Dubai. Where do you plan to go next and does it get hectic?
Ali : Basically I have been touring for 22 years. Now it’s become very natural. I have some coming up to Canada, to US in July, etc

'Na re Na' from Social Circus got around thirteen awards for best video, best costume, etc. This video has very thought-provoking lyrics, surreal images. Your comment on it and the third album?
Ali : Social Circus was a multi-layered album with emotions overlapping. All the complexities of human nature-greed, lust intertwined in one frame. There is no single emotion, but a mixture. It’s up to you to recognize. Working on a the third album. Songs are ready, but didn’t select a name for the album yet.

Any motto:
Ali : What you don't know will be used against you

Any words you want to conclude the interview with?
Ali : Wake up and smell the coffee. I urge people of the whole world to realize who is running the show. It might seem like all is ok, but in reality human nature is suffering.

May 6th 2006

Apr - May 2006

Mar - Apr 2006

Mar 20th 2006

May 2005

May - Jun 2005

Nov 2nd 2001

Oct 27th 2001

Sep 2001

Jul 23rd 2001