Upcoming Chambaili’s OST sets the bar high
Nabeel Nihaal, Azal and Soch make film’s soundtrack worth listening to.
Nabeel Nihaal, Azal and Soch make film’s soundtrack worth listening to.
KARACHI:
A film’s music is just as crucial as the script, the plot or the actors in it and, as we all know, some soundtracks are just better than the film itself. Catchy tunes alone can lure people into watching the movie at least once. It seems like the upcoming Pakistani indie film Chambaili will also gain fans with its original soundtrack (OST) before hitting the screens.
From the golden days of Lollywood to present times, Pakistani film music has faded away. The symphonic sounds that were the conscious efforts of legends like Sohail Rana and Robin Ghosh seemed lost until recently, when the industry saw a pleasant change with Khuda Kay Liye and Bol songs.
But Chambaili just set the bar higher with the release of its soundtrack, by using seasoned rock vocalists, as well as newer bands like Azal and Soch. Out of 12 featured songs and one recital, six will definitely grip you — either by the music or with the lyrics.
While Najam Sheraz is the main music composer, a few solo artists and bands have also contributed, and the lyrics are by Shahzad Nawaz — also the producer of the film, along with Abdullah Kadwani.
The album begins on a more spiritual note with not-so-catchy tunes but a vocally powerful qawalli by Amjad Sabri and Manan — the versatile vocalist formally introduced to us when he was featured with Mizmaar in Coke Studio. The next song Kyoun is one of the most impressive tracks of the album, written and composed by former Aaroh member Nabeel Nihal Chishti. The vocals are by the underrated rock singer Tanseer Ahmed Daar from Karavan.
Get ready to blast your woofers with a signature song by Azal titled Inquilab. It is a powerful song with a commercial and Bollywood approach towards rock music. The lyrics might give you goose bumps as well as hope, considering the present situation of the country. Haakim is a slow track reflecting the plea of an oppressed nation. It’s a simple song; Sheraz has capabilities of doing much better than such a song. The next song Rang brings forward Sherry Raza, another vocalist with immense vocal dynamics; but Sheraz falls prey to a Bollywoodi-inspired arrangement and songwriting, which just seems unoriginal. The band Soch finally takes a leap forward after the catchy Uth Jawana and Bandeya with the song Khabar. The album ends with Maaz Khan’s unique vocals for the song Azaadi.
To sum it up, the Chambaili OST album is worth the Rs100, especially in the pre-poll situation of the country. Two thumbs up for the young bands and solo artists who experimented with original ideas for their music. While Najam Sheraz fails to impress as composer and songwriter, Shahzad Nawaz is bang on target with the lyrics. By understanding the grave social realities of Pakistan and looking for a new dawn, Nawaz’s take on words oscillates somewhere between Faiz and Iqbal, which is an unlikely tag team but has worked in this ring called Chambaili.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 28th, 2013.
Correction: Earlier version of the story incorrectly stated Mizmaar instead of Mizraab. The error is regretted.
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A film’s music is just as crucial as the script, the plot or the actors in it and, as we all know, some soundtracks are just better than the film itself. Catchy tunes alone can lure people into watching the movie at least once. It seems like the upcoming Pakistani indie film Chambaili will also gain fans with its original soundtrack (OST) before hitting the screens.
From the golden days of Lollywood to present times, Pakistani film music has faded away. The symphonic sounds that were the conscious efforts of legends like Sohail Rana and Robin Ghosh seemed lost until recently, when the industry saw a pleasant change with Khuda Kay Liye and Bol songs.
But Chambaili just set the bar higher with the release of its soundtrack, by using seasoned rock vocalists, as well as newer bands like Azal and Soch. Out of 12 featured songs and one recital, six will definitely grip you — either by the music or with the lyrics.
While Najam Sheraz is the main music composer, a few solo artists and bands have also contributed, and the lyrics are by Shahzad Nawaz — also the producer of the film, along with Abdullah Kadwani.
The album begins on a more spiritual note with not-so-catchy tunes but a vocally powerful qawalli by Amjad Sabri and Manan — the versatile vocalist formally introduced to us when he was featured with Mizmaar in Coke Studio. The next song Kyoun is one of the most impressive tracks of the album, written and composed by former Aaroh member Nabeel Nihal Chishti. The vocals are by the underrated rock singer Tanseer Ahmed Daar from Karavan.
The Pakistani film music industry is rising with every new film release. PHOTO: FILE
Get ready to blast your woofers with a signature song by Azal titled Inquilab. It is a powerful song with a commercial and Bollywood approach towards rock music. The lyrics might give you goose bumps as well as hope, considering the present situation of the country. Haakim is a slow track reflecting the plea of an oppressed nation. It’s a simple song; Sheraz has capabilities of doing much better than such a song. The next song Rang brings forward Sherry Raza, another vocalist with immense vocal dynamics; but Sheraz falls prey to a Bollywoodi-inspired arrangement and songwriting, which just seems unoriginal. The band Soch finally takes a leap forward after the catchy Uth Jawana and Bandeya with the song Khabar. The album ends with Maaz Khan’s unique vocals for the song Azaadi.
To sum it up, the Chambaili OST album is worth the Rs100, especially in the pre-poll situation of the country. Two thumbs up for the young bands and solo artists who experimented with original ideas for their music. While Najam Sheraz fails to impress as composer and songwriter, Shahzad Nawaz is bang on target with the lyrics. By understanding the grave social realities of Pakistan and looking for a new dawn, Nawaz’s take on words oscillates somewhere between Faiz and Iqbal, which is an unlikely tag team but has worked in this ring called Chambaili.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 28th, 2013.
Correction: Earlier version of the story incorrectly stated Mizmaar instead of Mizraab. The error is regretted.
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