Meaningful Songs

By Osama Jalali, *Music flows on* - The Hindu - India; Sunday, June 3, 2012

Music flows on: Pakistani band Raeth will soon make its Bollywood debut

Thankfully enough one aspect the oft-sparring neighbours India and Pakistan have never allowed to affect is the cultural exchange between the two countries. Musicians, poets, actors continue to cross over from one side to another for films, albums and concerts and entertain people to the hilt.

Raeth, a Pakistani Sufi Rock band, continues the tradition, set by the likes of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Junoon and the rest. The band makes its Bollywood debut with Marksheet, a film that caught the public attention before the release. “It's a film for the youth, based on the education scams in India and I was looking out for a voice that represents the youth and Raeth does it the best,” says Rakesh Ranjan Kumar, director of the film.

Raeth consists of three talented musicians — Wajhi Farouqui, lead vocalist, Hassan Farabi, guitarist and Sunny Ghansham, bass guitarist. Farabi, who is down with dengue, couldn't accompany his fellow musicians on this trip. Raeth released the first album in 2006 and since then the team members have not looked back. Songs such as Bhulado and Dur Jag Ka Tara had garnered success.

Inspired by the legend Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Wajhi wants to spread the message of Sufism that's love through his music. “Love has no boundaries. And it has got an attraction and here we are debuting in Bollywood. Indian audience has loved our music in the past and we hope that their support continues.”

“We are a band which makes music collectively, each one of us plays our part and every part is equally important. But how often you find that in giving music for a film only the playback is given importance but we are very thankful that while making music for Marksheet the director has allowed us to create our own sound, which is really very supportive,” expresses Sunny.

The lead vocalist of the band, Wajhi adds, “We are loved in India because we create music in their own language. I try to write meaningful songs so that we are also able to communicate and give a message with each song. Giving music in a movie is a big thing for us we are really very excited about it. Films increase your spectrum and take you to a much larger audience.”

Monazir Alam has written the script of the movie and has added a romantic angle to it as well which will help Raeth to bring some soul with their songs. The film will be released early next year.

Picture: Raeth musicians Wajhi Farouqui, Hassan Farabi and Sunny Ghansham.