Pakistani, Indian Fans Unite to Bid Farewell to 'Strings' Band Disbanding after 33 Years

Pakistan’s popular band Strings has broken up after 33 long years and fans, across the two sides of the border, had a collective heartbreak. Nostalgia, memories and all sorts of emotions gushed in for them as the band announced on Thursday that they would no longer work together. “This post is a bit different from the usual. We have decided that today, 25/03/2021, is the day we graciously get to conclude Strings. The past 33 years have been incredible for both of us. It’s so rare to have the chance to be able to do things like this and we are infinitely grateful to all of our fans for making it possible. We hope you found it worthwhile as well,” Strings wrote in their message. Strings was a Pakistani hard rock band started by four college friends, Bilal Maqsood, Faisal Kapadia, Rafiq Wazir Ali and Kareem Bashir Bhoy, in 1988. The group is credited with fueling Pakistan’s rock music and ushering new life in Pakistan’s music industry.

Apart from giving hits like Nadiya Ke Paar, Dhaani, Najane Kyun, Anjane, Chal Para among many others, Strings’ tracks also featured in a couple of Bollywood movies like Shootout At Lokhandwala and Zinda. Yeh Hai Meri Kahani from Zinda and Aakhri Alvida from Shootout… became hugely popular. The band also produced and directed songs in Coke Studio’s Pakistan chapter from 2013 to 2017.

In 1992, the group of four had disbanded, only to make a comeback with Maqsood and Kapadia in 2000. Known as much for their classic hits as their memorable live performances, the band built a strong fanbase over the years. In an interview, Maqsood had said: “It’s going to take time before people will sit back and remember kay Strings aur Vital Signs aur Barbarians thay jinhon nay yeh music shuroo kee thee.”

An emotion of sadness resonated across the border soon after the group announced its break up and music lovers united in mourning. Take a look at some of the reactions: