Strings 1st Pakistani band to perform for the president of India

Strings are an internationally acclaimed Pakistani pop rock band comprising two members from Karachi, Pakistan. The band became the first one to perform in front of an Indian president at the Indian President’s house, New Delhi, India. Strings also gave remarkable performance for Shri Pranab Mukherjee on November 28.

South Asian Bands Festival 2013 will soon be held at Purana Qilla, New Delhi from November 29 till December, and this event was a preview where 14 prevalent rock bands from 9 countries of the sub-continent will perform. Two other bands namely LRB AKA Love Runs Blind (Bangladesh) and Advaita (India) will also be performing. Each of the bands presented for performance will sing for almost 20 minute and came together for a 10-minute grand finale.

“It was an absolute honor to perform in front of the Indian president,” says Strings lead singer Faisal Kapadia. “Singing in front of him is an opportunity to sample Pakistani popular rock music for him.” Strings sang Duur, Sar Kiye and Zinda in their individual set, and Laal Meri will be sung on the finale. “Pakistan, India and Bangladesh were once one nation. Today, boundaries may divide us, but if our music can unite us in our hearts then we’d want nothing more,” says bandmate Bilal Maqsood.

The Indian President Felicitated Bilal and Faisal, Pakistani music ambassadors onstage post performance. Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Shri Farooq Abdullah was one of the dignitaries present, and post event extended an invitation to the band to perform in his home state of Kashmir next year. String has more opportunities waiting for them and soon will be performed in Kashmir.

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