The visually-impaired rapper from Karachi who wants to win a Grammy

M.K Anwar may not have perfect vision but he sees light at the end of the tunnel

KARACHI: As far as individual pursuits in life are concerned, indeed there is never a perfect time to follow your passion. Hence, if you love something, do it while you know you still can and have the time.

Living by this mantra, Karachi-based rapper M.K Anwar's motivation to have his voice heard actually grew as the future appeared more precarious to him. "I remember going up to different platforms relentlessly, asking them for a shot by showing them what I had written. Being short on financial resources I wanted that somehow I get a sponsor on board to get my material released," he told The Express Tribune.



However most of the time Anwar used to get turned down for one reason or the other. "I was almost on the verge of giving up. Then in 2017, I found out that my eyesight disease that had already rendered me with 2% vision could eventually deteriorate into full blindness. At that point I realised that it's high time I get up and follow my dreams because I don't know the person I'll become if I completely lose my vision," Anwar said.

After getting the chance to tell his story and showcase his skills at a TV show hosted by Zarrar Khurro, things completely turned around for Anwar. "Even though it was a small segment on the show, I received several messages from people telling me that I was an inspiration to them. That made me try even harder and eventually I got connected with a producer with whom I recorded my first track School kee kahani."



Anwar's first music video came in 2019 a year after the song was recorded. "School kee kahani was mostly about the fun-loving nature of school shenanigans," he said. While at the surface the song revolved around the innocence of adolescent life, it also has a deeper message.


" I have always tried to promote inclusivity for people who are differently-abled. I myself have struggled with a lack of inclusivity in our education system. In the video, I've shown a character that has hearing impairment with a girl constantly interpreting things for him. Then there is also an actor in the video who is visually impaired like myself. I think when you give a serious message in a funny way, it is more effective," he said.

That being said Anwar doesn't want his art to be pigeon hold by audiences. "I don't want audiences to think that just because I have a disability I will only make songs about challenges and hardships in life. I want my songs to be played in every car and every cafe. My songs touch all kinds of themes," he exclaimed.


Anwar's latest track Minahil is about an adolescent love story that shows people from the world's apart connect on a mutual ground. In the rapper's own words, the song shows people from entirely different backgrounds connect through their passion for art. " I think it doesn't matter how different you are in terms of habits and class. As long as there is a connection for one reason or another, the world conspires to bring you together."

Having amassed quite a following for himself with only two singles out, it only seems like a beginning for him. "I want international recognition. I want to win a Grammy. I want to win awards in Pakistan. Through fame and recognition, I want to break stereotypes for people with visual impairment."

Anwar feels that society takes visually-impaired individuals as set pieces for jobs such as that of a hafiz or a teacher. "I want to open doors of the creative industry for differently-abled people. My ultimate goal is to promote inclusivity," Anwar concluded.

 

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