Pakistani band to perform at a city venue tonight

Pakistani bands have enjoyed a huge fan following in India.

Pakistani bands have enjoyed a huge fan following in India. Now, another band from across the border is following in their footsteps.

Raga Boyz will perform in the city tonight (July 5), to launch their new album, Raga Rocks — The Ultimate Raga Fusion. Band members, the Ali brothers — Nayab, Wali Hamid and Inam — talk about their bond with India and more.

Tell us about your album.

Wali Hamid:

This is our second album, but it’s the first to be launched in India. It has songs that are a mix of many genres — ranging from pop-rock and R&B, to Sufi verses by Baba Bulleh Shah.

Tell us about your prior experiences of performing in India?

WH:

We’ve performed here many times and we love it. We don’t find a difference between Indian and Pakistani audiences.

What are you expecting from the Indian launch?

WH

: We want the audience to embrace us like they have embraced others from our country. We wish to be accepted like our cousin Shafqat Amanat Ali. We plan to launch an album every three months in India.

What made you take up fusion music as opposed to classical?

WH:

We are the ninth generation of the Patiala gharana, which is popular internationally for its bandish and khayal. We want to take this legacy forward. Today’s youth is more inclined towards western genres. Even though our music comprises pop-rock and R&B, the classical essence is preserved.

Any plans for a full-time Bollywood career?

Nayab Hamid

: Yes. We sang Mann qunto maula for the film Maximum (2012). We also have a song, Rang ishq da chadya, in Remo D’Souza’s next.