Laal (band)
Encyclopedia
Laal is a musical band from Pakistan
known for singing socialist political songs, especially on the poetry written by leftist Urdu poets such as Faiz Ahmed Faiz
and Habib Jalib
. The band received mainstream attention during the Lawyers' Movement
, in which it led support to the reinstatement of the then deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry
and the restoration of democracy in Pakistan.
In just one year the band has gained recognition all over Pakistan. They have performed in almost all the major cities as well as many smaller towns. On their fanclub page, Shahram
has invited all to join the "Laal Tehreek", a revolutionary movement of young and enthusiastic revolutionaries committed to the emancipation of the people.
Reminiscent of another great Pakistani band Junoon, Laal has not only managed to reconnect the people of Pakistan to the forgotten revolutionary socialist poets, but also introduced them to the youth. The youth will invariably play an important role in the politics of the country in the years to come. Surprisingly, the band has avoided criticisms for its leftist tendencies and has enjoyed mainstream success without having its material challenged by the public or media.
The two main band members Shahram
and Taimur
are also active members or office holders of the Communist Mazdoor Kissan Party
. The band's name "LAAL" means "RED" in Urdu
and symbolizes its progressive message.
(owned by Geo TV
).
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
known for singing socialist political songs, especially on the poetry written by leftist Urdu poets such as Faiz Ahmed Faiz
Faiz Ahmed Faiz
Faiz Ahmad Faiz was a Pakistani intellectual, poet, and one of the most famous poets of the Urdu language. He was a member of the Anjuman Tarraqi Pasand Mussanafin-e-Hind and an avowed Marxist. In 1962, he was awarded the Lenin Peace Prize by the Soviet Union...
and Habib Jalib
Habib Jalib
Habib Jalib was a Pakistani revolutionary poet. A left-wing activist and politician, he was a staunch democrat who opposed martial law, authoritarianism and state oppression.-Early life:...
. The band received mainstream attention during the Lawyers' Movement
Lawyers' Movement
The Lawyers' Movement was the name given to the popular mass protest movement started by the lawyers of Pakistan in response to the dictatorial actions of 9 March 2007, by the country's military ruler General Pervez Musharraf, when he unconstitutionally sacked Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, the Chief...
, in which it led support to the reinstatement of the then deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry
Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry
Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry is the current Chief Justice of Pakistan.He became chief justice of Pakistan's Supreme Court in 2005 and soon became not only a central figure in the nation's political struggles but an icon to the country's legal profession and others campaigning for the rule of law...
and the restoration of democracy in Pakistan.
In just one year the band has gained recognition all over Pakistan. They have performed in almost all the major cities as well as many smaller towns. On their fanclub page, Shahram
Shahram Azhar
Shahram Azhar is a Pakistani singer and is the lead vocalist of Laal The Band. He has a masters from Warwick University and is a graduate of Lahore University of Management Sciences. He is currently going to study for a Ph.D in Economics, at University of Massachusetts in USA...
has invited all to join the "Laal Tehreek", a revolutionary movement of young and enthusiastic revolutionaries committed to the emancipation of the people.
Reminiscent of another great Pakistani band Junoon, Laal has not only managed to reconnect the people of Pakistan to the forgotten revolutionary socialist poets, but also introduced them to the youth. The youth will invariably play an important role in the politics of the country in the years to come. Surprisingly, the band has avoided criticisms for its leftist tendencies and has enjoyed mainstream success without having its material challenged by the public or media.
Band members
- Dr. Taimur Rahman- Guitar and Vocals
- Shahram AzharShahram AzharShahram Azhar is a Pakistani singer and is the lead vocalist of Laal The Band. He has a masters from Warwick University and is a graduate of Lahore University of Management Sciences. He is currently going to study for a Ph.D in Economics, at University of Massachusetts in USA...
- Vocals - Mahvash WaqarMahvash WaqarMahvash Waqar is a Pakistani artist and current band member of the Laal Band. She is the backup vocalist for the band. She has also been famous for a stint on the radio network as a RJ.-Early life:...
- Backup Vocals - Haider RahmanHaider RahmanHaider Rahman is a Pakistani musician and current band member of the band Laal. He plays the bansuri for the band. He also sometimes lends his voice for backup vocals. He is recognized all over Pakistan because of his being a shagird of the legendary Pakistani flute player Akmal Qadri and the...
- Flute - Jamal Rahman- Guitar
- Omayr Aziz Saiyid- General Manager
- Asad Haroon- Manager
The two main band members Shahram
Shahram Azhar
Shahram Azhar is a Pakistani singer and is the lead vocalist of Laal The Band. He has a masters from Warwick University and is a graduate of Lahore University of Management Sciences. He is currently going to study for a Ph.D in Economics, at University of Massachusetts in USA...
and Taimur
Taimur Rahman
Taimur Rahman is an academic, political activist and a musician from Pakistan. He is the band leader and spokesperson for the music group named Laal. His father Rashid Rahman is the editor of Daily Times. He is also the General Secretary of the Communist Mazdoor Kissan Party. He was involved with...
are also active members or office holders of the Communist Mazdoor Kissan Party
Communist Mazdoor Kissan Party
The Communist Mazdoor Kissan Party is a political party in Pakistan formed in 1995 through the unification of the Communist Party of Pakistan and the Mazdoor Kissan Party .-History:...
. The band's name "LAAL" means "RED" in Urdu
Urdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
and symbolizes its progressive message.
Discography
The debut album is titled Umeed e Sahar and has been released released by Fire RecordsFire Records (Pakistan)
Fire Records is a record label based in Pakistan which promotes young musicians across Pakistan. The company is the subsidiary of Geo TV Network. It also distributes music and movies released under the banner of Geo Films.*Basit Salik*Annie Khalid*Azam Bakshi...
(owned by Geo TV
Geo TV
Geo TV or Geo Television is a Pakistani television network, founded by Mr. Mir Shakil ur Rehman in May 2002 and owned by Independent Media Corporation. The channel began test transmission on 14 August 2002, with regular transmission beginning 1 October 2002...
).
Albums
- Umeed-e-Sahar (2009)
- Main Nay Kaha (Musheer)
- Umeed-e-Sahar
- Sadaa
- Jaag Punjab
- Dastoor
- Kal, Aaj Aur Kal
- Zulmat
- Mat Samjho
- Na Judaa
- Jaago
- Singles
- Doob Gaya
- Utho Meri Duniya
- Fareeda
- Jhoot Ka Uncha Sar
- Meray Dil, Meray Musafir