In January 2009, Fire Records/Geo hosted a press conference for Laal at T2F. Laal is a new band based out of Lahore that aims to set the poetry of Faiz and Jalib to music and bring it to the people.
I was holed up in my room through most of the session trying to meet a stupid deadline but crept out when Laal broke into song. They kicked off with Umeed-e-Sahar (Faiz Sb) and two things happened:
1. I allowed myself the luxury of a few tears following the news of our eviction from T2F. That was the first and last time!
2. I wanted to KILL the man standing next to me. Laal’s composition of Umeed-e-Sahar is not even remotely complex and this idiot simply couldn’t clap in tune with the beat. He ruined it for me and I went straight back to my room and forgot about Laal.
Then March rolled around and the video of Umeed-e-Sahar found its way onto YouTube:
I am now hopelessly hooked. Maleeha loves it too. YAY! Zak thought it was OK and Nuzhat Aunty said, “kya bayhooda dhun hae”. I’m giggling now but at the time, I felt personally violated. I accept that it’s far from musical genius but it does what it’s meant to do, i.e. engage people. Through tracks like this, a few more people will start thinking about issues, a handful more will start reading Faiz and Jalib, and maybe our merry band of activists will gain a little more strength and momentum.
I’m going so far as to dream of a desi equivalent of “We Shall Overcome”.
… because when that day rolls around, when we rise up and say ENOUGH, we will need an anthem we can relate to.
In complete solidarity!
Oh yes I am totally hooked. And I agree with you word for word when you say that although it’s far from musical genius, it does what it’s meant to do. I find it to be poetically & musically relevant to the times. This is exactly the kind of album that will appeal to a generation that has missed out on great Urdu poetry not only because most of it sadly became popular way before they were born, but also because any attempts to set it to music, however great, were by musicians that these kids absolutely cannot relate to. I think Laal is putting the ‘cool’ back into both Urdu poetry and the folksy sounds they have chosen to re/introduce it to their audience.
Oh i totally agree with this approach and wish them more than good luck. I also hope they will (or someone else) will venture beyond Faiz and Jalib (and Faraz – who, I am sure, is on their agenda). People’s poetry would be incomplete without Nazeer – maybe even reintroduce the simple words of Aadmi Naama. It could make for a great video.
That said, it was Maleeha’s cries of joy, more than Sab’s, that had misled me me to believe that it was the musicality that was being praised. Sorry.
sue me but i judge people who can’t clap in tune with the beat!
p.s. hooked to the song, three!
Just read this blog post & heard the song. I do not remember whether it was this particular one that I made the comment about, which you quoted. Have heard it again & withdraw my remark. I like the video with the song – it’s really inspiring! I see your point and do understand it. If the group helps bring the young together to raise their voices against injustices & hear some great poetry it’s wonderful. Wish you a great & shining future! What could make an old activist happier than see future activists inherit and change the world for the better! Love you all who are engaged