Junoon

Hey friends,

Hands up if you don’t know who Junoon is? Junoon, Passion in Urdu, is Pakistan’s most famous rock band, which later evolved into a Sufi-rock group. The group started about 16 years ago, and they are probably the only Pakistani band that has survived for so long. Now, the two lead singers, Ali and Salman, have branched off from the group and have developed solo careers. Last night, it was one of their last concerts as a group, and I was privileged enough to see it! Prior to Junoon, there was DJ Aqeel and Bombay Rockers performing, but we were there for Junoon.

Verdict: absolutely power-packed, adrenaline-fuelled night, full of jumping and screaming and being reminded of how cool it is to be a Pakistani!

My friend NA purchased the tickets to the show about two weeks ago, and then proceeded to tell me that I don’t have to pay for the tickets. I was a little upset, but she insisted on paying for my ticket. So her sister MA came along, as well as my friend, MM, from Sharjah. We arrived at the venue just after the doors were to open at 9, but saw that since this was an Asian concert, people will come fashionably late. Young guys and girls were there, all dressed up and trying to impress one another. All of us were in our late 20s, and had a great laugh seeing these young people being cool and all.

Wella, the hair products company, were there promoting four new types of gel they have launched. One guy approached MM and I, and gave us a few samples. Soon, NA and MA joined us and they collected several samples too. I did not take any because I don’t use gel. So we went into the arena, with our wristbands, which meant we were in e standing section just behind the VIP section. The VIP section was all seating. However, where we were standing, we were not that far from the stage. We had our dinner there, and realized that the show will start in about an hour’s time.

We sat out on the bench, just talking, when suddenly MM had the brilliant idea of using the sample gel on me. It was one of these funky gel which you can use to give your hair a messed up just-out-of-bed look. I outright refused, but then NA and MM joined in to get me to gel my hair. So I gave in, and removed my cap, and put the slimy gel on my hair. We called the guy over who was handing out the gel sample, and he told me how to use it properly. I styled and sculpted my hair, and kept it that way for the rest of the night!! It was too hilarious, because I never use gel and these girls were certainly enjoying my ability to be a sport and have a fun time!

We went back in after an hour, and DJ Aqeel had started his remixing of songs to get everyone in the arena to shake their hips and feet stomping. It was an enjoyable thing, but after 3o minutes or so, it became repetitious, and we wanted Junoon. Two hours of DJ Aqeel later, Bombay Rockers came on, who are a group of one Indian and one European (I think Dutch). They were all right, and after 30 minutes they left the stage! Thank God! Now the tempo was building up in the arena. 100s of people were in the section behind us. People were beginning to crowd up in our standing pit.

The tabla began, and people screamed out in unison. Junoon had arrived! We were treated to an evening of amazing music from over 16 years of their artistic career. Some songs were definitely emotional because they reminded of the time when I would listen to their songs as a kid. All of their songs were rock, but their slower songs were done with amazing slow-rock beat. People lit their lighters and swayed the flames to the beat of the music. In between the songs we were getting little bit of anecdotes and jokes from the lead singer, detailing their initial journey of entering the world of music and how they evolved into one of the biggest groups in Asia. In particular, their story of they went to India, meeting actors and performers and winning the best group category at the MTV India awards drew a huge round of applause from the audience. Junoon did such an amazing job of getting everyone jumping to their music.

I did not do any jumping, but I definitely danced to their music, clapping, raising my arms and the works. However, it was one of their songs that definitely got me jumping up and down, with such high emotions being evoked from the audience. I was going mad, clapping my hands, jumping up and down with 100s of others in the arena and singing out loud like a mad man!

It was a song called Jazba-e-Junoon, which was a song made for the World Cup cricket back in 1993, when Pakistan won the World Cup. Part of the lyrics include:

Hai jazba junoon
To himmat na haar
Justajoo jo karey woh
Chuay asmaan

Mehnat apni ho gi
Pehchan kabhi na bhoolo
Sab ki nazron mein
Pakistan
Kabhi na bhoolo

Pakistan hai tumhara
Pakistan hai humara


The song talks about that when we work hard we can reach sky, but ultimately it is about recognizing who you are, and being proud of being a Pakistani. Man, I tell you, I had goosebumps and all the hair on my arms rose. I was reminded so strongly of my origin, and I realized how strong my Pakistani roots were in me. Suddenly I wanted to go back to my hometown Lahore, and just, well, just be there! Yes, despite all the bad things happening there, at the end of the day I am from Pakistan and I am extremely proud of being one!

Junoon did a great job tonight of sending out a very strong message of not being ashamed of being a Pakistani, of being proud of who you are and of doing good things for the country. They played for 2 hours, and by that time we were so exhausted. Oh by the way, the security guard let MM and NA get ahead into the Vip section where they got to stand right in front of the stage, so they got amazing views. MM swears that Ali was flirting with her, and NA backs her up. I was stuck in the middle section because I was a guy! The good-looking girls managed to get ahead! J

All in all, I had a brilliant time, and was definitely glad I managed to see one of their last concerts they said they would be performing. At the end of the evening, they performed the national anthem and every single person in the hall stood up. Such an emotional and dramatic moment made me a proud Pakistani.

(I know some of you may not be able to relate to me, but I am sure the Pakistanis can!)

Mansur