Aaroh

Aaroh
Background information
Origin Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Genres
Years active 1998–2009
Labels
Associated acts
Past members Farooq Ahmed
Jason Anthony
Haider Hashimi
Khalid Khan
Nabeel Nihal Chishty
Kamran Khan (Kami Jee)
Adnan Hussain

Aaroh (Urdu: آروح, literal English translation: "the ascending scale in eastern classical music") was an alternative rock band from Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan, formed in 1998. The band was founded by keyboardist Kamran Khan and lead guitarist Nabeel Nihal . (This name was given to them by Shoaib Mansoor), who were joined by, Vocalist Farooq Ahmed, Bassist Khalid Khan and Drummer Adnan Hussain.

The band achieved fame with their exuberant live performances backed up with thought provoking lyrics, and also, their performance in the Pakistani rock scene in 2002, most notably at the Pepsi Battles of the bands, helped them leave a trail for themselves.[1] Soon, after the success of the battle of the bands, Hussain was replaced by drummer Jason Anthony and then the band went on releasing their critically acclaim debut album, Sawaal, in September 2003. Singles from the album like "Sawaal", "Na Kaho", "Jalan" and "Jeeyay" were a success and topped several local music charts. In 2004, band members, Ahmed and Chishty went into a dispute that who owns the rights for the band's name. This saw Chishty and Kamran Khan leaving as the band officially announced their split up.[2] The band then recruited Haider Hashmi on lead guitars as a replacement for Chishty. Aaroh, with their new lead guitarist, then went on releasing their second studio album Raag Neela in 2006, receiving too much criticism and critical acclaim.[3] Singles like "Raag Neela", "Pyaar Ka Jaal" and "Janay Kyun" did well at the local music charts.

After the release of their second studio album, Aaroh disbanded as band members concentrated on their personal projects. Farooq Ahmed, vocalist and Haider Hashmi, lead guitarist, went on to pursue a career as a solo singer,[4] while bassist Khalid Khan went on performing as a session player for the band Fuzön.[5]

History

Formation (2002)

In early 2002, during this time Pepsi's Battle of the Bands advertisement began to air on television; the competition called upon entries of aspiring bands from all over Pakistan. This saw the band taking participation in the competition by the name "Aaroh", given by Shoaib Mansoor. It was during this time Aaroh officially came into being. Aaroh band members got together for the Battle of the Bands and went to perform at the competition. The band first took part in the digital round of the competition, where the band went on head to head with twenty hundred bands from across the four provinces of Pakistan. The competition included bands like Entity Paradigm, Mekaal Hasan Band and Mizmaar, which also later on became well known popular mainstream rock bands coming from the underground music scene. During the competition, the band performed songs "Sawaal", "Aag Ki Tarhan" and also covering the Vital Signs song, "Ajnabi".

After a sixteen months hiatus, during which the competition was being aired on national, cable and satellite television programmes, viewers polled for their favourite band in the competition. By then the results of the Battle of the Bands came out and it was told that two bands who made to the finals were Aaroh along with Entity Paradigm. The band went on perform to compete at the finals of the competition held in Karachi, Sindh. The band won the competition by a narrow margin to Entity Paradigm, who came runners-up, in front of an audience of around 4,000 at the NRA Golf Club, where the finals were held.[6]

Success (2003–2005)

On 21 September 2003, the band went on releasing their debut album Sawaal, through the record label Sadaf Stereo all over Pakistan.[7][8]

Awards and nominations

Aaroh's most significant achievement was winning the Pepsi Battle of the Bands in 2002. Aaroh has also been nominated at the ARY Asian/Bollywood Awards for the "Best Band" award in 2004 and received a nomination for the "Best Lyrics Award" for their song "Na Kaho" at the Indus Music Awards in 2005.[9][10]

Discography

Studio albums

Band members

Final line-up
  • Farooq Ahmed – vocals (1998–2009)
  • Jason Anthony – drums (2003–2009)
  • Haider Hashmi – lead guitar, rhythm guitar (2004–2009)
  • Khalid Khan – bass guitar (1998–2009)
Former members
  • Kamran "Kami Jee" Khan – keyboards, backing vocals (1998–2004)
  • Nabeel Nihal Chishty – lead guitar, backing vocals (1998–2004)
  • Adnan Hussain – drums (1998–2002)
Session musicians
  • Saeed Ahmad Mughal – drums (2006)
Timeline

References

  1. ↑ Aaroh – Biography Retrieved on 20 June 2011
  2. ↑ Aaroh Splits – So What? Retrieved on 18 June 2011
  3. ↑ Evaluation: Aaroh – Raag Neela Retrieved on 18 June 2011
  4. ↑ Haider Hashimi leaves Aaroh Retrieved on 18 June 2011
  5. ↑ Raag Alehda: Aaroh go their separate ways Retrieved on 18 June 2011
  6. ↑ Entity Paradigm interview, Retrieved on 14 May 2009
  7. ↑ Sawaal – Press Release Retrieved on 18 June 2011
  8. ↑ Evaluation: Aaroh – Sawaal Retrieved on 18 June 2011
  9. ↑ The 2nd Indus Music Awards Archived 16 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on 1 April 2011
  10. ↑ "IM Awards 2005?". GupShup. 4 April 2004. Retrieved 9 May 2007.


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