Over
the years, Strings (Bilal Maqsood and Faisal Kapadia) have been
active in highligting various issues
that our country, as well as the world faces via their music. Be
it the terrorism issue (‘Yeh Hum Nahin’) or the anti-war
stand (‘Beirut’), the friendship between Indo-Pak (‘Jeet
Lo Dil’ with Euphoria) or the World Cup fever (‘Hai
Koi Hum Jaisa’), Strings have always been around. Last year’s
‘Ab Khud Kuch Karna Parega’ in collaboration with Atif
Aslam was yet another masterpiece which urged the youth to take
control. Their new video, ‘Main Tau Dekhoonga’ seems
to be a continuation to the tune. In this interview with Instep,
Strings reveal more behind their new single...
Instep: How did the concept come into being?
Bilal Maqsood: We knew after the beginning of ‘Ab Khud Kuch
Kerna Parega’, we had started something that we’d have
to continue. We strongly believe in whatever we do. We strongly
believe in all the music we make, none of the songs we make are
meaningless to us. From ‘Koi Aanay Wala Hai’ to ‘Duur’
to ‘Najaney Kyun’. A song has to come from the heart;
if it doesn’t hold any meaning for us, it wouldn’t hold
any meaning for the audience.
‘Main Tau Dekhoonga’ is like a sequel to ‘Ab Khud
Kuch Karna Parega’. If you look around, there’s an air
of hopelessness in Pakistan. Each time people think that the worst
has hit our country and things will probably get better, but this
black hole seems to be infinite. When people start losing hope,
it’s the worst thing that could happen to a nation. A lot
of people we know are moving out of the country and suggest that
we do the same. But this is not the way! You can’t just leave
when things get bad.
This song tackles all these issues. It’s for the people who’ve
lost all hope for Pakistan, who want to move away and have no expectations
from this country. Our message to these people is that there’s
a cycle to everything. Take the music industry for example: we’ve
been in the music industry for about 22 years and we’ve observed
a cycle. Things become better, and then they become worse to the
point of no hope, but then the industry revives itself and the cycle
continues. Same thing happens with people as life has its ups and
downs, but you cope because you have no other option. We firmly
believe that Pakistan is also going through a cycle; we’re
going through the worst period and we don’t know how long
it’ll last, but we are sure that Pakistan will revive.
Instep: Who wrote this song and how is it different from ‘Ab
Khud Kuch Karna Parega’?
Bilal Maqsood: I wrote the song. ‘Ab Khud Kuch Karna Parega’
was a more aggressive song. It’s about taking things into
your own hands. ‘Main Tau Dekhoonga’ is not so aggressive.
We hope that this song inspires those who are lost and looking for
a ray of hope. ‘Main Tau Dekhoonga’ starts with the
lines ‘Jub sasti hogi roti, aur mehngi hogi jaan.’ Because
we believe that day will come again in Pakistan.
Instep: How are such songs beneficial to the nation?
Faisal Kapadia: I can’t really say how beneficial these songs
are. Many songs about peace and harmony have been made. Some work
and others don’t. But we believe that the effort should be
there. Musicians should keep making an effort, it’s our job.
If God has given us a talent, we should use it in the right way.
Mullahs (clerics) say that music is bad; if it strays you off the
right path then it is but if it has the power to give inspiration
and to lift someone’s spirits, then music is better than a
lot of other things.
Instep: Tell us something about the video?
Faisal Kapadia: The main emphasis is on children. We are singing
out to them and through them to the whole of Pakistan. They are
the future!
Instep: Who came up with the concept of the video?
Bilal Maqsood: We always have brain storming sessions with Jami.
It’s a combined effort and we come up with the best possible
idea. So, the idea of the band talking to the younger generation
who will soon rule the country was evolved. The song is for all
Pakistanis but it’s especially for the young generation. We’re
telling them: ‘Mein tu dekhoonga, tum bhi dekhogey.’
Instep: Did you target anybody in your song? Are you referring to
politicians only?
Bilal Maqsood: No, it’s for all those people who are selling
their own country for personal gain. Those who are being addressed
will be able to identify themselves when they hear the song.
Instep: What measures do you think need to be taken for the development
of this country?
Bilal Maqsood: We’ve been witnessing revolutions all over
the Middle East. I know a revolution for us is around the corner
and I see no other way.
Instep: What qualities should a leader possess according to you?
Bilal Maqsood: He should have a clean background and the courage
to take a stand for what is right. He should be able to identify
what is wrong with this country and fix that. He should be someone
who is not afraid to speak the truth. He should believe in the power
of peace. If we are able to identify one such person then our problems
will be solved.
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