Emergence of a Long-Lost “Genre” in Pakistani Music
Emergence of a Long-Lost “Genre” in Pakistani Music
By: Hassaan Q – Staff Writer for DesiGupShup.com
I’m talking about the females in the music industry. They’re basically not there, except for Hadiqa Kiani and then the less commercial Fariha Pervaiz. The newest one to come on to the block is not just one, but a duo.
They go by the name Zeb & Haniya, otherwise known as Zebunnisa Bangash and Haniya Aslam. As their website www.zebandhaniya.com will tell you, the band is primarily based in Lahore, however travel to Islamabad and Karachi for their work. Zeb is from Peshawar (or somewhere in North-West Frontier Province) and Haniya’s hometown is Islamabad. They are first cousins.
Well enough about them, let’s get to their music! It is a very new sound and mixes a lot of genres, so they cannot be classified in one genre of music. They’ve been described as Alternative, Art Folk, Ethnic Blues, World Music, and Easy Listening. Their first song that hit the airwaves was Chup getting rave reviews.
The album was finally released some months ago after some delay and immense work. They have lots of big names in the industry who helped them out from Mekaal of Mekaal Hasan Band, Shallum Xavier of Fuzon, “Gumby” Hildegen Oiseth from Norway, and several others. The album is titled ‘Chup’ and their first video was released very soon after for their song Aitebar and was directed critically acclaimed director Saqib Malik. The video is something not seen as much in Pakistan and is new to our eyes, but I think it works and looks great!
Here’s to their success and hoping others like them follow suit.
Oh and since we are talking about the females of the Pakistan music industry, I suppose I should let everyone know that Hadiqa Kiani’s official facebook page has announced that her new album will be coming out soon. An official release date has not been set, but will likely come about around Eid. It is titled “O’ Assmaa”
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You’re right. Never really thought about that. Fewer and fewer females are emerging in the music industry from Pakistan.
Funny thing is that whenever I think about females in Pakistani entertainment industry, almost always those moti heroines in Pakistani movies come to mind. You know the ones that, when a villain approaches them, scream out loudly “oye makhnaaa!!” and then you hear the hero, who’s 10 km away, hearing the cry and racing back on his horse!
lol so true!
There are actually several other female artists who are making entries onto the pop music scene, but a lot of them are one hit wonders.
Search up Aishah Akram’s song Beqarar on YouTube. It’s a very lovely song and was released a few months back or something, but I haven’t heard of any album or anything.
Why is it that female artists in pakistan do not get as much prominence? the talent is there…are they not getting financial backing…?
I don’t think it’s because of finances, but rather because of a lack of good marketing for them. Either that or they just need to be seen applying themselves more. So like when Hadiqa had her hit Boohey Barian, she took it on. I believe the same thing is happening for Zeb & Haniya so far, so we’ll have to wait and see for their next video (which is due out soon) and see what the reation is to that. Having a second video alone is one big factor that is proof that they will be around as the new and emerging talent that will bring about the rest as well hopefully.
I would beg to differ. I think there’s lots of female talent in Pakistan. I think they’re the ones who make a big contribution to Lollywood. For example, Noor Jehan, Mussarat Nazir, Farida Khanum, Nayyara Noor etc. But in the modern age there are a few females that are pretty up there as well including Humera Arshad, Fariha Pervez, (Hadiqa Kiani), Shabnam Majeed, Shazia Manzoor, Naghmana Jaffery, Abida Parveen etc.
Well they are the past generation legends and current generation seasoned artists. You have your own crop of seasoned male artists and then you’ve got many others trying to make a name, but you don’t have too many seasoned artists from the female side at this point.
You both are right with your respective points. I’m just wondering why there are fewer female artists on the scene…?
You could say it all comes down to a cultural thing, where in Pakistan pushing women up the ladder (especially in the arts) is not looked too well upon. Unless they happen to be some mesmerizing wonder! They need support though…