Music… Under Attack?
Two years of consistent suffering from the amalgamate of bombardment, terrorism, and revolts – Pakistan, since then, is no longer in an ambience to uphold music efficiently. One beneficial aspect of all this endures that the so-called underground music which abducted a platform to be promoted through the ‘gigs’ have undergone a cease-fire! Of course, three to four gigs a day is just like yielding profuse proportions of work in minute fractions of time of which the result always is: content that lacks quality.
But the other side of this big picture is that the talented and worthy musicians have been subjected to a set back. Especially, musicians who have music shows as their lone source of living lingered the most of the whole lot. The decrement in the numbers of concerts and music gatherings made music susceptible to a tough time. Music no doubt has the mightiness to change anything. But looks like today’s happenings can not be altered… at least not by the music itself.
These were the facts. Here goes a few of the opinions on this axiom, from some of the finest musicians from the country.
Shuja Haider, one of the leading and top ranking musician from the lot;
“We have two kinds of industries related to the performing arts. Television and stage. Both the industries are badly effected. Its portraying a very negative image to the west. I think the only thing we have which communicates without the words is music.” he enlightened further, “When people are happy they want to be entertained. Now you can see so many videos running on TV but giving no results. That’s because they have nothing which can inspire people. And that is only because of the current situation of our country.”
“The music scene has been affected a lot I think. There are no shows going on. No album sales. Artists are in trouble due to these issues,” claims Shoaib Farrukh. He continued adding to it, “things are not in the favour of musicians, and it’s definitely not a good time to earn from music.”
Another one from Rehan Nazim, vocalist of an emerging band Mirage, is yet another close look on the reality. “In my opinion I think the music scenario is currently almost dead in Pakistan as far as the live gigs are concerned, the only source of entertainment for the masses and the only source of bread and butter for most musicians. No wonder they’re looking for alternative sources of income which should not be the case. They should be doing what they’re best at and which is making music and not let their talent go to waste. But unfortunately with the prevailing situation in Pakistan, that’s one pretty difficult thing to do.”
To aggregate it up in a nut shell, the music is adversely swayed by the prevailing disposition. No concert or music show is covered-up from the bombers eye. And all that can be done against the odd is to sit back, keeping fingers crossed, and wait for the situation to sedate down.
Thank you for the read. God bless us all.
Courtesy:
Shuja Haider.
Shoaib Farrukh.
Rehan Nazim. (Mirage Band Vocalist)
