[Reader-list] 'Red' Song from Pakistan--one of the best things I heard this year

[mahmood farooqui]

Celebrating Jalib: Main Nay
Kaha<http://reddiarypk.wordpress.com/2008/04/28/celebrating-jalib-main-nay-kaha/>

"Main Nay Kaha" is a satirical poem by the famous leftist poet Habib Jalib
called "Musheer" (Advisor). Jalib wrote it in response to a conversation he
had with Hafiz Jalandari during the time of Ayub Khan's dictatorship. It
remains just as fresh and valid today.

This poem has been put to music by Laal (Shahram Azhar & Taimur Rahman) a
new Pakistani music group dedicated to resistance music and poetry. Shahram
Azhar and Taimur Rahman are also political activists of the Communist
Mazdoor Kissan Party and their poetry, music, and activism constitute an
integrated whole the essence of which is always revolutionary. The CMKP has
been an integral part of the lawyers movement and the movement for democracy
in Pakistan.

The music video contains real images of events in Karachi, London, and
Lahore during the tumultuous period between December 27th and February 18th.
The song and video were recorded on a shoe-string budget of one session
each.

This video and song are connected to a documentary on a journey through a
life-changing period in the history of Pakistan. The journey begins in
Pakistan on the eve of the assassination of Benazir and the ensuing grief,
violence, and carnage. The film maker travels to London to discover a group
of young activists organizing protests against Emergency rule. Following
these activists full circle to Pakistan, the documentary captures the events
around the 2008 elections. The film thus captures a moment in the life of
Pakistan, from Benazir's assassination to the elections, through the lens of
young activists. The documentary by Widei Films will also be released
shortly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPsr1RnEfWo

Credits:
Habib Jalib - Mainay Uss Say Yeh Kaha
Shahram Azhar - Vocals
Taimur Rahman - Music
Mahvash Waqar - Backing Vocals
Taimur Khan - Director Producer
Dita Peskova - Assistant Director
Jamie Mill - Recording Director
Laal & Taimur Khan - Music Producer
WIDEi Films - Production Company