Let’s hear it for ‘Azaad Umeedwar’

With General Elections 2018 coming up later this week, election fever is in full swing with several artists, designers, actors and singers showing solidarity with political parties and/or candidates they feel strongly about.

While fashion designers are bringing out merchandise and clothes in support of different political parties, singers are lending their voice for the same cause.

In recent weeks, we’ve seen Ali Azmat endorse Fauzia Kasuri while Jibran Nasir, an independent candidate from Karachi remains the front-runner when it comes to endorsements; Ahsan Bari, Faiza Saleem, Mira Sethi, Sarmad Khoosat, Abbas Ali Khan, Dino Ali, Anoushey Ashraf, Osman Khalid Butt, Kami Sid, Natasha Beyg, Sheema Kermani, Arieb Azhar, Adnan Malik, Sanam Saeed, Mohammed Ahmed, Bushra Ansari, Maria Wasti and Mooroo have starred in his campaign anthem, which is directed by Jami.

The latest artist to take on the subject of politics, albeit in a satirical manner, is Shaheryar Ali Mirza. The Islamabad-based singer-songwriter has done so through his new single, ‘Azaad Umeedwar’, which is accompanied by a music video.

A satirical take on Pakistani politics, ‘Azaad Umeedwar’ summarizes everything that is wrong with Pakistani politics and uses humour to deliver that message.

Shot in Gawal Mandi, Rawalpindi, the music video is unique for a variety of reasons including the fact that it incorporates locals from the area. None of the characters in the video are professionals but they deliver impeccable performance(s).

Directed by Wajahat Malik, the video’s storytelling quotient is strong. The director has made sure that the music video showcases the pitfalls in Pakistani politics while delivering laughter and something for you to think about.

The song/music video also scores high because it is inclusive, referencing different provinces and ethnicities. This is a Pakistani song, for every Pakistani.

Speaking to Instep, Shaheryar noted that he always wanted to merge socially relevant lyrics with folk melodies.

“With elections around the corner, I wrote ‘Azaad Umeedwar’ as a light-hearted critique on corruption. The Call-to-Action #NoteNahiVote at the end of the music video is an appeal to every Pakistani to use their right to vote responsibly.”

When asked what encouraged the singer-songwriter to make this video, he told Instep: “Humor is very hard to pull off. The video concept is quirky and funny from the get-go. It reflects the reality of our society, and is told through the eyes of a dodgy Azaad Umeedwar. He wants power at any cost. This character is someone we can all relate to, and empathize with (almost). Wajahat Malik and I share a similar aesthetic so the sarcasm has come through but at the same time it is not designed to offend anyone.”

Shaheryar also admitted that he loves anthems, specially PTI and PPP songs. “But I felt it was high time Azaad Umeedwars got their own anthem. I’m a huge fan of Pashto music, so the rest was just embellishment. Dhol and harmonium added a nice touch. It’s a song people can dance to. And that’s what a good song should do. Make you tap your feet. In the video, of course, we took liberties.”

A creative director by profession, Shaheryar started his musical career in 2003. Starting out as a musician who covered other artists, he realized in time that there was no fun in covering other people’s work and began experimenting with original music in 2006.

The winner of a Lux Style Award (in the category of Best Emerging Talent), Shaheryar now sings out of choice and remains a huge fan of political satire.