Bollywood felt like coming home: Pakistani artist Zeb Bangash on finding a community

In the vibrant realm of music, transcending boundaries and exploring new horizons is a journey coveted by many. Zeb Bangash found herself embracing this path when she became the first Pakistani artist to serve as the music director for a Bollywood film, Lipstick Under My Burkha. Contrary to her expectations, diving into Bollywood felt like "coming home” to the trailblazer, as per IANs.

Bangash always anticipated that composing music for an entire Bollywood film would entail immense pressure within a somewhat corporate structure. However, her experience proved otherwise, resonating deeply with her artistic sensibilities. Reflecting on the venture with the Indian outlet, she emphasized the movie's uniqueness, and the genuine effort to create something novel and carve out a space previously unexplored.

Recalling the collaborative effort, she stated, "Alankrita Anvita, Ankur Mukherjee, Amrit Mahajan and I shared and carried that sentiment with us. It really was like finding a community." The meetings were held in unconventional spaces, not within the confines of production houses but in homes, fostering an environment of creativity fuelled by camaraderie, food, music, jokes, and poetry.

Lamenting the current lack of artist exchanges between India and Pakistan, Bangash highlighted the diminishing artistic community resulting from this separation. It was not just about missed opportunities in terms of audiences and markets; it was about the shrinking connections and bonds among artists.

"The movie we created was not supposed to be a bazillion crore hit. It was just special and important for a special and important artist who we all believed in, and who believed in us. That kind of camaraderie between neighbours is so enriching -- and I say that from experience," she added, reminiscing about the meaningful journey.

Bangash made her debut in India with the film Madras Cafe and has been expanding her horizons ever since. As a versatile artist singing in multiple languages, she finds a unique connection with each language she explores. "Pashto makes me think of home, Urdu and Hindi open up my imagination, Persian feels like a warm hug, Kashmiri feels like being transported to a magical land, Turkish is nostalgia and Punjabi is the closest friend -- like a yaarana."

One of the projects closest to her heart is Sandaraa, a band she co-founded with Michael Winograd. Their vision is to build bridges between cultures and tell stories with music that transcend temporal boundaries. "All that home could not understand about me... I found space to sing Sabzal Samagi's Balochi classics and Haji Saifoos comic Persian ghazals to audiences all over North America."

Expressing her belief in the power of collaborations, Bangash emphasized how they facilitate growth and broaden horizons. It's about sharing and experiencing other musical worlds, expanding relationships, and feeling part of something grand and universal.

Bangash acknowledged the intriguing music scene in Pakistan, even amidst the challenges that artists face. She finds it surprisingly vibrant and attributes its excitement to the absence of a rigid industry structure and an over-responsive market. Working in their unique silos allows artists to focus on their expression without the burden of constantly imagining success, fostering a sense of artistic freedom.

Diverse influences shape her musical palette, ranging from Western popular music from the '50s to South Asian folk, ghazals, semi-classical music, and pop music from the '60s to the '90s from Turkey. Additionally, her learning experience under Ustad Naseeruddin Saami has transformed her musical expression and greatly expanded her vocal capabilities.

In the midst of the pandemic, Bangash has been diligently working on her solo album in collaboration with a talented crew of musicians and producers based in Los Angeles. As she eagerly anticipates the release of this album, she is already in the process of recording another one. Additionally, she has been working on a collection of regional songs based out of Dubai, showcasing her relentless passion for creating and sharing music with the world.

As Zeb Bangash continues to break barriers and make her mark on the global music stage, her journey serves as an inspiring testament to the power of music in bridging cultures and uniting hearts. Embracing creativity, collaboration, and the joy of artistic expression, she stands as a beacon of musical excellence and a true ambassador of cultural exchange.

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