Lifting music with guidance

InstepReport

At a riveting talk in Lahore, veteran composer Arshad Mehmud explained why he is launching a record label.

Lahore

On a rainy Friday evening in Lahore, composer, singer and actor Arshad Mehmud charmed his audience with an intriguing discussion on music alongside a combination of anecdotes from his struggling days as a musician.

Held at Books and Beans, a bookstore/café, the discussion drew a small near-capacity crowd, which included a mix of music fans, both young and old. As moderator, Shahpara Salim - the radio broadcaster and voice over artist - set the pace for a crisp dialogue with her charm, energy and sense of humour.

Arshad Mehmud, a music virtuoso who has mentored some of the most distinguished names in the contemporary Pakistani music scene (such as Nazia and Zoheb Hasan, Junoon, Strings and Vital Signs) is now all set to start his own record label called MoUSICi.

“The fundamental objective of the music portal is giving a lift to the Pakistani music industry by introducing new talent.  There is no dearth of talent in Pakistan. What is lacking is however, proper guidance,” said Mehmud while speaking to the audience in his low-pitched, polite voice.

He argued that today most young musicians are making remixes and cover versions of existing popular songs. In comparison, musicians who earned honour and fame in the past had been producing original music and content.

According to Mehmud, technology is the greatest advantage available to youngsters today. They can put it to the best use by listening to various recordings online and focus on creating their own songs. He also added that while it is essential to provide the most sought after genres of music, his venture would also cater to audiences who like listening to semi-classical and classical.

Stressing the importance of music for children, he lamented that very limited work has been done for children across the media, be it in the area of literature, film or music.

“MoUSICi will have a special section dedicated to children’s music, he stated while reciting a few lines from Hassan Kamal’s poem “Humey koi to dekhe ke hum mai apka aney wala kal chuupa hai.”

As the evening went forward, a nostalgic wave swept over as the discussion diverted to Mehmud’s early days, hard work and the challenges he faced.

Born in Lahore, Mehmud, whose family held a background in the field of agriculture, was the first person in his family with an illustrious career in music. He narrated that when someone asked him why he didn’t choose a career in politics after his post-graduation in Political Science in 1972, he responded: “Because the Constitution of Pakistan was abrogated in 1972.”

During his days at the Government College Lahore, Mehmud was noticed by Shoaib Hashmi who offered him a job to compose music for a weekly PTV program Akar Bakar. Mehmud was introduced to poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz at Hashmi’s place.

Mehmud confessed that Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s company also instilled in him the passion for composing and at the age of 25, he released his first well-received album: Nayyara sings Faiz, a record that is appreciated by listeners even after all these years.

During his long career, Mehmud has composed nearly 400 tracks including hundreds of jingles and songs for the commercial market while working for EMI, the largest global recording company and SMB, his own production house.  “I have worked with many notable musicians in Pakistan but my most memorable experience has been with Nayyara Noor.”

Mehmud, who has also acted in Pakistani TV serials such as Akar Bakar, Aangan Terha, Dhoop Kinarey, Ankahi and Sach Gup says that music is his first passion. “I have done most of my commercial music for Asim Raza and that’s why he insisted that I work in his film Ho Mann Jahan.

Though a well-versed actor, for Mehmud music will always be his first choice.

“Acting has been a good experience but music is my first passion and I intend to do a lot more work for the music industry in Pakistan,” concluded Mehmud.