‘Of course we miss performing in India’

Strings frontman Faisal Kapadia talks about the Pakistani band’s connection with Indian fans and collaborating with Indian artists

It has been more than 30 years since Pakistani band Strings was formed and India has always been a special place for them. “We have surely been blessed by our fans in India. They’ve been instrumental in getting us the fame. I remember that it was Indian fans who were responsible for getting our song, Sar Kiye Yeh Pahar (1992), on a prominent music channel. It was only because of them that our presence was felt across the continent, and that’s a really great thing,” says Faisal Kapadia, the frontman of the band which is known for songs such as Duur (2000), Mera Bichraa Yaar (2003), and Koi Aanay Wala Hai (2008).

The special connect, Faisal says, can be felt during the live concerts as well. “Har insan ki zindagi ki kahani kisi na kisi gaane ya music piece ke sath judi hoti hai. We get to see that when we perform live and see fans relating to the songs,” he says. But ever since 2013, when Pakistani artists were banned from performing in India, it’s a connection that the band dearly misses. “Of course we miss performing in India. As a live band, we try and perform in every city where our fans are, at least once a year or once in two years. It is very important for us to perform, and unfortunately we haven’t been able to do that for almost five years now. I am sure there is a live connection there, and we want that connection back. I am sure our fans also miss that,” he says, adding that he hopes the ban is lifted soon.

But there’s another way the band has managed to stay in touch with Indian fans and that is through collaborations with Indian musicians. Their most recent offering has been the song Naina, for which they teamed up with singersongwriter Sona Mohapatra.

“Collaborating with different artists is the most beautiful process of making music. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed it every time. As a musician, one keeps evolving; however, collaborations teach you so much more. Be it Bolo Bolo with Hariharan, Pal with Sagarika, or Jeet Lo Dil with Euphoria, ties made while working together on these songs will last forever,” Faisal says. About their experience recording Naina, he shares, “We wanted a singer with a rustic tone with pop sensibilities. We saw Sona Mohapatra as the perfect fit. Despite being well aware of the issues involved in obtaining Indian visas, we were determined to make it work. The entire recording was done online and Istanbul was decided as the location for the video. Sona has brought an amazing emotional value to the song. We are extremely grateful that she accepted our offer and took this song to a different level,” he signs off.

Faisal Kapadia and Bilal Maqsood from Strings