No Pakistani band to promote B’wood album

A FOUR- city tour of India by Pakistani music band Fuzon has been cancelled after the members were unable to procure security. The three- member pop rock band, which has lent music to Raveena Tandon’s  Maatr, was to arrive in the country in the second week of April for song promotions.According to source, “Security is the primary issue. Team also advised the makers. Relations between the countries would be further affected if right- wing elements caused harm to Fuzon or their property during performance. Now makers want to launch song on a digital platform”

Initially, Maatr makers had decided against including any songs in the gritty thriller, but during editing, producer Anjum Rizvi realised Fuzon’s music would give the movie heft.Anjum Rizvi says, “ The recording was done in their studio in Pakistan. Momina felt Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s voice would be perfect for the song Zindagi Ae Zindagi, which is an emotional track mapping Raveena’s journey as a mother in the film. It is a deep song that people will connect to.” 

They recorded the song at Rahat’s home in Lahore. I believe art and culture should remain independent of politics.I feel ordinary citizens of both countries want peace, no one wants these tensions and threat of war, Art and culture should be independent of politics’ Anjum signs off.

Y-Films Wins Another Global Honour For The 6-Pack Band

It’s been over a year since Yash Raj Films’ youth studio, Y-Films, launched the 6-Pack Band, India’s first transgender pop band, and the accolades for it have not stopped flowing in. After bringing home India’s India’s 1st Cannes Grand Prix Glass Lion, the prestigious Webby Award, 10 EMVIES, while breaking boundaries, taboos, clocking up millions of views and getting global recognition, the band and Y-Films just got another feather in its cap.

The 6-Pack Band has just listed among 15 global campaigns on the influential The Gunn Reports’ Cases for Creativity 2016, a round-up of the campaigns that have achieved the highest accolade in advertising, by winning both a Cannes Gold Lion for creativity and a Gold Effie award for effectiveness. Cases for Creativity is an annual study by James Hurman, author and founder of innovation consultancy 'Previously Unavailable', and the campaigns picked as part of it represent the ultimate industry achievement – of being the most awarded new work within the advertising industry.

Says Head of Y-Films, Ashish Patil, “The love that Y-Films has been receiving from the industry over the last year has been overwhelming but it is even more gratifying that our little 6-Pack Band and the LGBTQ community continue getting more respect and recognition in the mainstream. The band has been a labour of love for us, and a big shout out to Shamir Tandon, for curating the band, and the Brooke Bond Red Label team, for supporting it! Here’s hoping that transgender equality becomes a reality in India someday… that would be a true achievement.””

The 6-Pack Band, composed of 6 transgender singers hailing from India’s ‘Hijra’ community, is an initiative conceived by Ashish Patil, who was recently called one of the ’50 Top Creative People in the World’ by AdAge Magazine, and is driven by Y-Films, to help further the cause of gender equality and transgender rights in India.

6-Pack Band gives a voice to the indomitable spirit of the community without trying to get preachy or patronizing. In a language and through a medium that our world understands and loves. Song & dance… Bollywood style! The campaign covers 6 songs, 6 music videos and some lovely insights into the community that has long lived on the fringes; waiting for the day the world opens its arms to them in acceptance.

About Y-Films:

Y-Films is the dynamic, vibrant start-up at the intersection of films, creativity and youth culture that hopes to challenge the norm and detonate boundaries. Giving the youth a creative outlet and voice that will entertain and unite on film and beyond. A studio that promises to deliver kick ass content of the youth, by the youth, for the youth. And be a platform for talent – both on screen and behind the scenes – that will break and set new rules of story-telling. Wanna know more? Come on in… www.yfilms.in

Canadian Bhangra band En Karma releases fusion single "She Kills"

Canadian world music Bhangra band En Karma has teamed up with Sanjay Seran, the lead vocalist of Vancouver-based Delhi 2 Dublin music group, and released their new single "She Kills" on all major digital outlets this week, through India's largest music label T-Series.At a time when bands are looked upon as a thing of the past, En Karma's presence comes with a new lively dash of electrifying energy. Founded in British Columbia, Canada, the band's distinct sound is the work of Pip Dhaliwal (on the drums), Nick Chowlia (keyboards), Inder Kooner (vocalist), Ricky Thinda (bass) and Karm Cooner (on the dhol).Based on the band's core mantra of friendship, the song's video has the boys jamming out the beats to a vibrant fusion of world music and Bhangra, delivering a sound that fans would love.Drawing on their UK influences for live band arrangements, infused with the contemporary sway of North America, the band first gained popularity with their self-titled debut album 'En Karma' reaching the No.1 position on the iTunes World Music charts.Featuring the lead single "Tohar Naal Jeena" with K.S.Makhan, H.Dhami and Delhi 2 Dublin, the debut album established En Karma's brand. It was followed up with another album 'Enkarmafied', which also scaled the iTunes World Music charts, reaching No.2 and breaking new ground with its catchy tracks "Dil Naal Khedey" and "Tu Nach." The band has also given live performances at various shows and music festivals, apart from the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, proving that the traditional drum and dhol still have a long way to go on the international music scene.

Sonu Nigam pleased at 6 pack band's win at Cannes Lions

Sonu Nigam, one of India's finest singers, has over the years collaborated and sung with many musicians, and each of them have been close to him but only a few have held a special place in his heart. One such collaboration was with the 6 pack band, India's first transgender band with whom the renowned singer recorded 'Rab de bande'. The song became a hit overnight and received lots of love from fans and listeners. 

It came as no surprise then that Sonu was extremely pleased when he received a call recently from composer/director Shamir Tondon who informed him about 6 pack band winning the coveted Cannes Grand Prix Glass lion award at the Cannes Lions Festival. 

A source close to the singer says that the collaboration is one of its kind and an iconic one, "Sonu is very happy that the 6 pack band is now getting world recognition. He has always been keen on doing something for the transgender community and even wanted to start a small scale industry some years ago in order to increase employment opportunities for them. 'Rab de Bande' was an opportunity Sonu couldn't refuse and he's extremely happy that the band has won the Cannes Grand Prix Glass lion award."
Sonu also lauded the efforts of all those who made 6 pack band possible by saying that it needs a lot of courage and conviction to execute something path breaking, "It is really commendable and heartening to see that the band is doing so well at these prestigious award functions. My heartiest congratulations to the entire team that made this happen." Quiz him about another collaboration, "I would love to" he smiles and signs off.