The Year That Was....

30-11-2007

The year that was… (by Ahmad Babar):

WOW. It’s been one heck of a year. By the way, unlike the past two years, I have decided not to write a poem/song about the past year and I have changed the date of writing this from my birthday on the 21^st of this month to today, an event that marks the first anniversary of an interesting day. Just 12 months ago all was going well, virtually perfect till that one fatal moment, stroke of luck if you may call it when came along that unfortunate electric shock and things took a different turn. All that I had been working for started to wither away, or did it? It’s something I am not sure of right now but like all things, I hope it’s turns out to be for the best in the future.

2 months of bed rest, distorted vision, damaged nerves and God Knows what else, I started to wonder if I could really come back from all of this. ALHAMDULILLAH I started to. Restarted working out, hockey and studies in February/March and things started to look great again. I managed to fully let go of something for good, an event that turned to be both pleasing and strangely sad. Started going to competitions and being myself again. The body was coming in shape again, the vision was improving as well but like they say, at times things are just too good to be true. Another hurdle came in my life and to add to it, along came the stupid back-injury. I still wonder how could I have been so careless that day.

Another two and half months of bed-rest came my way, the CGPA fell and the body started to balloon up. It was an enormous task to see all that I had worked for going away and not being able to do much about it other than just lying flat on either my bed or the sofa. Things started to go gloomier and gloomier, I was faced with a Poet’s Bloc for months, broke it shortly and then was faced with it again. It was as if God was trying to tell me something that I wasn’t able to understand fully at that time. Missed opportunities went by and all I could conjure up out of it all was gratitude and humbleness. The once flying . aB . was going through a bad phase.

Then came August and I started concentrating on my job opportunities and ALHAMDULILLAH, MashAllah, I am sitting here in a good enough post and on my way to a better one in around a week’s time InshAllah. Can’t hide this smile that is appearing on my face right now as I realize the Greater Plan.

I know most of what I have written above doesn’t really make sense but in a way it all does. Throughout the past year, I made many a friends, and thankfully lost a few as well. How true is it seeming right now that only when you are down do you actually realize who your true friends are. People that I truly loved and thought would always stand by my side left without any apparent feeling of guilt and those that I couldn’t even imagine to ever talk to, turned out to be some of my closest friends, some even did TV shows with me.

Any way, as I take a final look back, it’s been one of the best years of my life MashAllah. I entered the media field, did TV shows, started writing for newspapers, performed recitals in front of hundreds of people on one of the biggest events Lahore has seen in the past year, been a part of the organization team of the other, made quite a few discoveries and found some amazing friends. And most importantly for me, I came out a better, much stronger man. Let’s see what the future holds.

Thank you all. Love you all for the support and love.

Adios.

My interview with TPS

http://www.pakspectator.com/
http://www.pakspectator.com/interview-with-blogger-ahmad-babar/

Interview with Blogger Ahmad Babar

Could you tell us what made you decide to blog?
It just happened. I used to post my works on orkut and then someone suggested that I should maintain a blog, so I did.

What do you think sets Your blog apart from other blogs?
Probably its simplicity. I just publish what I feel. Plus, I am not much of a blog reader so can’t really say how different it is from others’ blogs.

If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success, what would it be?
Success?

That’s seriously flattering. Still, if I have to pick one thing, it would be poetry.

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?

They both were probably the same moment when I finally realized that it wasn’t worth running after “something”.

If you could pick a travel destination, anywhere in the world, with no worries about how it'spaid for - what would your top 3 choices be?

1. Northern Areas of Pakistan: Memories of my visits there in early childhood are still fresh in my mind, especially of the trip to Shangarilla.
2. Switzerland: Love that place and it’s chocolates.
3. Manchester: Would love to see Manchester United beat Arsenal 7-0 at Old Trafford.

What is your favorite book and why?
Really hard to answer this one.

What's the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?
Their eyes. For me, the eyes always give the person away.

Do you think Pakistani politicians could benefit from the social networks and things like twitter?
Being a slave of such networks myself, I would have to say, Yes, Pakistani politicians can certainly benefit from such social networks as it would give them an insight to what the youth want and feel.

How Pakistani bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?
Honestly, for me writing and blogging has nothing to do with finances. Yes, if doing what you love gets you a few bucks through sales and sponsorships, well and good but it shouldn’t be done for finances to begin with.

Do you think Pakistani bloggers tend to remain somewhat self-centered and really don't go out of their shells? Is it the oriental style of blogging, or they are still unsure about it?
As I usually don’t get to visit blogs, can’t say much but blogging is meant to be about the blogger and his/her feelings as far as I am concerned.

Is it true that who has a successful blog has an awful lot of time on their hands?
I beg to differ. A successful blog is one that is read by a lot of people and you don’t have to be sitting in front of your PC all day long for that to happen. All you need to do is just post quality stuff.

What are your thoughts on corporate blogs and what do you think the biggest advantages and disadvantages are?
Can’t really say much.

Does it pain you or proud you that we have made a history by electing a uniform general as our president?
“Electing”?? That’s a good one. More like planted or thrust upon. And yes, it indeed pains me that our so-called representatives have probably made the biggest blunder of Pakistan’s history. And remember, making history isn’t always a good thing to do.

Do you think this whole emphasis on blogs and whatever online is a significant indicator to show that the web, the social web, is becoming a very important social force?
I would say that it’s not becoming but already is a strong social force. I have seen online relationships develop into real prosperous relationships. Also, I have seen the web play an important role in other aspects of life.

What do you think where the Pakistani blogosphere is right now?
It is still in it’s early days and will probably take a little while to go somewhere.

Who are your top five favourite bloggers in Pakisan?
No one in particular.

Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger in Pakistani blogosphere?
No.

What is the future of blogging in Pakistan?
Prosperous.

In political respect, can we say blogging a 'democracy of message'?
Indeed we can.

Can Pakistani blogosphere play any notable role in the forthcoming elections, if they happen at all?
I certainly pray that they do. As for the question, yes, it really can especially targeting the voting population of age groups 18 to 35.

You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?
Positively. Can’t really say more than that.

What are your future plans?
InshAllah to follow up on a few goals I have set for myself.

Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?
Pray for your country. Pray for your people.

Atif Aslam - Exclusive Videos - Sound Check

Exclusive Atif Aslam Sound Check Video 3.

Performing the title track of his new album, "Meri Kahani" and a cover of Junnon's song, "Heeray" - Tremendous Night, 3rd November, 2007 at Alhamra Open Air, Lahore

This video has been recorded by and is property of Ahmad Babar
http://ahmadbabar.blogspot.com

Tremendous Night - Lahore Concert

Published in "Red" - The Post. 17-11-2007

http://www.thepost.com.pk/what_red.aspxtl 23-11-07]

:: Tremendous Night - Lahore Concert ::

By Ahmad Babar

Lahorites once again proved that there's no one like them when it comes to having fun as they turned up in thousands to watch their favorite stars rock the stage at the Alhamra Cultural complex on the 5th. The event was arranged by a group of determined youngsters under the banners of jbnjaws and ZOK Productions. It truly turned out to be a tremendous night. The show started off at 8:30pm (given the 8:00pm start time, this is a humongous achievement with the Lahori trend of non-punctuality). Dr. Sohail entertained the crowd with his witty compering. First up amongst the performances was a junior band JB that did a couple of appreciable covers. Next was Natasha who made her entrance singing from backstage and continued to move the crowd with her as she danced and sang for her fans.

By this time the crowd had filled in and was all warmed up. At this moment, the first of the major attractions of the night, Atif Aslam, who was fresh from his recent tour of India (where he earned many laurels including being invited as guest judge on a reality music talent hunt show, to winning the Style Award, to add to the recent award announced for him by the Pakistan government) made his way onto the stage along with his band. The crowd went ballistic and the noise they created was overwhelming. Families, girls and boys all were having the time of their life. Atif did complete justice to his tag of being a live stage performer and he left no stone unturned in his attempt to entertain his fans. His hits like Aadat, Yakeen, Ehsaas, Tere Bin, Kuch is Tarah and the title track of his upcoming album Meri Kahani (more on that later in the article). By this time a part of the crowd managed to cross over the barriers onto the stage but the security and management took prompt action to keep them off the stage and to avoid any unfortunate event. The vibes created by both Atif and the crowd could be felt by everyone present. Atif ended his performance with Tere Bin and was rushed off the stage by the management team.

Next up was the second big attraction of the night, Roxen. Determined not to let the crowd down after Atif's performance, Roxen took the crowd by storm starting off with their recently acclaimed hit Tau Phir Aao from the Indian movie Awaarapan. After that, there was no stopping them as they continued to ride on their momentum of recent times and continued to wow the crowd with hit after hit. Songs like Sapnay and the remix version of Tera Mera Rishta had those in attendance off of their feet. A great performance on the guitar was given by Haider and Jodi added to the atmosphere. Roxen also performed, for the first time ever in concert, the original version of Tera Mera Rishta, the song Lams from their debut album Roxen-e-Deewar. Mustafa and gang once again proved why they have managed to make a mark across the border.

The final performance of the night came from Sandra who started off the performance with her debut hit, Tere Bin Mein. Sandra enjoyed the reception she was getting from the crowd and rode on it till unfortunately a rush towards the stage by the crowd forced the organisers to end the night a little prematurely in order to avoid any unfortunate incident. Well, what can we say, boys will be boys.

All in all, this was one of the biggest events to be held in Lahore in the running year and certainly one of the most successful one. Lahorites got more than their money's worth on this memorable night.

Now for the news on Atif's upcoming album. According to Shabaz Aslam, who is both Atif's brother as well as his manager, the album is ready to hit the stores but is being held back due to the current situation prevailing in the country. Let's hope for better things to come in the near future.

Ajnabbe Shehar

This is written in memory of all cities of Pakistan that have been through the turmoils of the last year epsecially, Karachi and Islamabad.

Picture Courtesy Stockvideo
10/11/2007
Ajnabee Shehar (by Ahmad Babar):
Hai aankhoon main aaj ik ajab si hal chal
Jaisay taaray aa giray hoon zameen par
Lag raha hai mujh ko aaj yeh shehar ajnabee
Par hai kaheen dil mein umeed abhi bhi

Aakhir kiyoon dhekoon yeh sab khoon?
Ho raha hai jo uss ko kiyoon na rokoon?
Kiyoon yeh pabandian hain mujh par?
Kiyoon ho raha hai sitam meray shehar par?
Kaun poonchay ga aansoo in roti maoon kay?
Kaun thamay ga haath besahara bapoon kay?

Aao dheko woh shehar jo kabhi mera tha
Jis mein hur shab kay baad ik sawera tha
Aaj yeh shehar ajnabee ho gaya hai
Ab har waqt andhera hi andhera hai
Hai koi jo tarekioon ko ujaloon main badal daalay?
Hai koi? Kya hai koi jo iss shehar ko bachalay?

Hai aankhoon main aaj ik ajab si hal chal
Jaisay taaray aa giray hoon zameen par
Lag raha hai mujh ko aaj yeh shehar ajnabee
Par hai kaheen dil mein umeed abhi bhi

Shehar mera hai par shehar tera bhi hai
Log meray hain par log teray bhi hain
Hai koi jo aaj meray saath chalay?
Kadam say kadam mila kar chalay?
Kya hai koi jo meray shehar ko ajnabee honay say bachalay?
Kya hai koi jo hum shehar waloon ko bachalay?