July, 2010

You are never going to want to dance without them ever again. En Karma, Canada’s premier live Bhangra group has released the latest video off of their self-titled album, ‘Tere Bina Ni Nachna,” featuring H-Dhami – and it is a smash!

En Karma was formed by six friends who shared a passion for Bhangra music and who connected over a need to flex their creativity.  Taking influences from reggae, R&B and rock n’ roll, but remaining fully rooted in traditional Bhangra, En Karma, made up of a dholak player, dholi, bass player, keyboardist, drummer and vocalist, have made the art of the pindh (village) accessible to global audiences.

“What sets us apart is that we are live! We play our own instruments on our tracks.  En Karma is the newest full band entity to come out in probably 15 years, and let alone having the uniqueness of being the only live act in North America. We have a vision of bringing true live Bhangra to the forefront of the stagnant Bhangra scene.”

The new video shows the boys doing what they were born to do – rocking out like Bhangra superstars. “Tere Bina Ni Nachna” has elevated the standard for Bhangra videos with fantastic cinematography and visual effects that capture the energy of Bhangra. En Karma and H-Dhami bring a modern and slick vibe and style to the track that makes traditional cool again.

The album, En Karma, which is available for pre-order now, will release on iTunes on July 30th. The album features music heavyweights: KS Makhan, H-Dhami, Battlekatt, A-Slam, Sanj Seran & Kytami (Delhi 2 Dublin), GMoney and MCJD. En Karma’s power packed album is being distributed by Moviebox in Europe and T-Series in India.

VIDEO – Tere Bina Ni Nachna‘

Musial superstar, Jay Sean, will lend his voice to support political candidates at the Indian American Leadership Initiative’s conference closing reception: “Behind The Mic: JAY SEAN and the New Era of Indian Americans in Politics”. The even will take place on July 24th at Georgetown University in Washington, DC.

Shedding light on his admiration for South Asian American political candidates, Jay Sean says:

“I am really excited about participating in the IALI conference this weekend. I’m proud of these pioneering South Asians being celebrated for their individual talents and gifts, and happy to lend my support.”

This year there are six Indian American candidates running for Congressional seats, the most in US history. As an icon in mainstream America with cultural ties to South Asia, Jay Sean’s initiative is an inspiring call to action to support the South Asian community’s presence in politics.

By Zehra Ali

Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom have secretly wed!

Still no word on when or where they tied the knot, but in a statement released Thursday, Kerr, 31, announced that she has canceled an appearance at the Australian department store David Jones to celebrate.

“David Jones very graciously released me during this period so we could celebrate an intimate ceremony and honeymoon together,” she said. “I’m very much a part of the David Jones Family and I am very committed to my role. I am enormously grateful to David Jones to have been given this time to enjoy such a special moment in my life.”

Kerr and Bloom, 33 — who been dating for nearly three years –- announced their engagement in June. Kerr is best known to be a Victoria’s Secret model while Orlando Bloom has been working on the immensely popular movie franchise Pirates of the Caribbean.

No matter what the reason may be though of this union taking place, we think boys and gals everywhere will collectively agree when we say that we are not yet ready to let go of yet another sexy lot to the horrors (or wonders) of marriage.

By Zehra Ali

It was a night all boys only dream to experience in perfect splendor. It was a night worth reliving; one worth cherishing. That’s right, you guessed it: It was the night of the Fifa World Cup Final 2010. It is with the purest passion for sports that all Lahoris, men, women and children alike, scattered across the city in search of the perfect destinations from which to gain the best World Cup Final experience possible. Here at Ink, we were invited to perhaps the most exclusive of the exclusive events hosted by none other than Jbnjaws at Uptown L.A.

It can be rightfully stated that the event was definitely not what everyone present had expected. At an event which very boldly stated “no stags allowed!”, there were most certainly stags in all shapes and sizes (as well as ages) present. From boys clad in either Spain or Netherland jerseys and flags, to girls and families, (usually consisting of five or more members) we saw it all. Some couples sitting in the farthest corner from all these “non-hip” attendees were mortified to have followed instructions at all. We here at Ink however, are never quick to judge, therefore, we gave one of the organizers a chance to clear out this slight miscalculation.

Q-The event was supposed to be a couples’ only event. Why was this rule not paid much attention to at the said event?

Ans- Football as a sport is now growing in viewership and following in Pakistan. Since it is neither our national game nor do we have any representation, there is a limited fan following. Hence, our objective of writing couples only was to discourage single male entry, as chances of riots become more and they then cause problems for couples and families. Also remember that the right side of the hall was mostly occupied by couples and families, while the lounges were for couples only. So our purpose of attracting a good crowd and balancing the ratio was fulfilled.

Q-The posters stated that a strict guest list would be kept to ensure the perfect crowd. Why was the checking not as strict as it usually is as compared to all the other events hosted by Jbnjaws?

Ans-I would beg to disagree here. Since the guest list was followed very strictly. Bear in mind that we did not encounter a single incident of an unpleasant nature. There were around 550 people out of which around a 100 people were sent back as we did not have their names on the guest list. I think security was given a lot of preference and that is the reason that we invited guests mostly based on references. No mass mode of marketing was used to publicize the event, except facebook.

It is important to note here that in all our events we do deploy security and have a proper management team but we cannot stop people from coming to the event. We can only stop them from entering if they do not have a pass or if there name is not on the guest list. There is a certain discipline that we as people should have and by pushing at the gate, or coming without any pass that discipline is most definitely violated.

Before the management team at Jbnjaws begins to point fingers and name names as to who might have been the culprit to providing this cleverly articulated statement; let us make it easier for you and unravel the mystery ourselves. The answers to these questions have been provided by Sarfraz Niazi, one of the mastermind directors behind Jbnjaws. Hence, follows our third and final question:

Q-Are you actively working with Jbnjaws at the moment or have you currently moved on to managing celebrities such as Ali Zafar?

Ans-Both myself and Jb are the only two directors for jbnjaws productions and are actively involved in managing it. We recently started our creative ad and design agency called “gray matter” and the only events that this agency will handle will be managed under jbnjaws productions. Our commercial activities have surely been reduced due the security issues and the unstable conditions in the country however we have been doing some great corporate work. The World Cup final together with a concert was a limited commercial activity and InshAllah we are coming up with more events soon!

Yes I am managing Ali Zafar and the experience has been great so far. Besides that, I am working as a brand manager for Radio1FM91, News1 and TV One.  I have been a part of one of the largest and most popular ad agencies and I have learnt that art of multi tasking from there. At times it is difficult to do justice to all four, but that is quite seldom. I feel that it is always fun to keep yourself busy with the work that is your passion!

There you have it folks. Be sure to keep an eye out for more of the upcoming events and if there is one you just so happen to miss, Ink will be your eyes and ears.

The DJ could not have been more DJ-like and the atmosphere created was more than enough to imply the anticipation that everyone present was experiencing. A few free drinks here, and a tweaked up air-conditioning there – a few more of those projection screens strategically placed and Voila! Jbnjaws could have earned themselves a prize-winning event. It’s all in the details really. Though, can’t we say the same about the number of yellow cards given out to the Netherland players? The match was nothing short of a nail-biter and I think we all agree when I say that it will be pain-stakingly hard to have to wait for another four years to experience the wonders of the Word Cup again.

This summer’s most hyped song; ‘So Much’ is finally out with a video to match the delicious lyrics. Raghav’s new video is a slam-dunk hit that represents a side of the artist he has been itching to share with fans.

‘So Much’ has been blowing up the radio waves all across Canada and is currently on the Billboard Top 40 Chart. On the first day of release, ‘So Much’ was among the most discussed, top favorited and top rated videos on YouTube for Canada and most viewed in India.

‘So Much’ is the first track off of Raghav’s Canadian debut album, The Phoenix and marks his return to the music industry after his immensely popular debut album Storyteller and sophomore release Identity. After ruling the charts of the Asian scene in the U.K., India and The Middle East, Raghav is brings his musical sound back home to Canada.

The slick and sexy video for ‘So Much’ is expected to catapult ‘So Much’ to even further success – but this video does not mark the end of surprises for the record. Fans should expect more exciting videos to be released shortly.

Raghav’s ‘So Much’:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSMbt6Uz0iA

By Zehra Ali

Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem have wed, her rep announces. The two tied the knot in a small ceremony, attended only by close family members, earlier this month at a friend’s house in the Bahamas.

Cruz, 36, wore a Dior Haute Couture gown designed especially for the event by John Galliano.

She and Bardem, 41, have been romantically linked since they starred in “Vicky Christina Barcelona” alongside Scarlett Johannson in 2008.

(Pakistan, 12 July 2010) Debuting on 06 June 2010, Coke Studio’s philosophy for the season aims to explore the process of creation and so far the audiences have witnessed the three steps in its execution: ‘Will’, ‘Reason’ and ‘Conception’. With Episode 04, the season hurtles towards its final stages of attainment and achievement as the process takes an existence.

‘Form’, the fourth session, will feature folk music traditions of varied flavors, local and exotic, sedate and grandiose along with a distinct pop-rock number. Tune in to witness Noori’s rendition of ‘Hor Vi Neevan Ho’, an evocative tribute to the legendary folk singer Hamid Ali Bela. Tune in to witness Noori’s rendition of ‘Hor Vi Neevan Ho’, an evocative tribute to the legendary folk singer Hamid Ali Bela. Inspired from a rare, publicly unheard recording of Bela, the rendition has for the first time Noori brothers collaborating with their mother Noor Zehra Kazim as she brings the unique music instrument sagar veena to the Coke Studio platform. In their purest rock avatar, Karavan gears up to deliver ‘Kaisay Mumkin Hai’’ where acoustics will be traded with electric guitars and backing vocalists will be accompanying the band in this version. Re-affirming their repo for bringing in the flavors of exotic lands, Zeb & Haniya maintain the strong undercurrents of folk music with ‘Nazaar Eyle’. A folk story from Turkey, the song aims to reflect the rich heritage of subcontinent, derived from disparate cultures. Spontaneity, sweetness and verve are all thrown together as Amanat Ali and Sanam Marvi pair up in the fast-paced ‘Haq Maujood’. The kalam by Sachal Sarmast is set to a tune inspired from the traditional Sindhi dhamal rhythm and will also be featuring a drum solo towards the finale by our very own drumming icon Gumby. ‘Form’ will conclude with Arif Lohar’s ‘Mirza Sahibaan’, in which the folk singer lends his signature energetic magnetism and infectious glee. Based on a true love story of the same name, Mirza Sahibaan’ is a fusion of folk with rock in its very essence — theatrical and grand.

Ever-evolving and all-embracing, be a part of this season’s Coke Studio journey with ‘Form’, airing on Sunday, 18 July 2010 at 10:00 PM on television channels, radio stations and online, across Pakistan, with three repeats for every show! In the meantime, also log on towww.cokestudio.com.pk for exclusive behind-the-scenes web blogs, a sneak peek into the collaborative world of Coke Studio and an interactive build-your-own merchandise kit.

Coke Studio 2010 Episode 04 Airing Date and Time:

‘Form’, Sunday, 18 July 2010 at 10:00 PM – 11:00 PM

For channel lists and show timings, log on to www.cokestudio.com.pk

Featured Artists:

Abida Parveen

Amanat Ali

Arieb Azhar

Arif Lohar

Aunty Disco Project

Entity Paradigm

Fakir Juman Shah

Karavan

Meesha Shafi

Noori

Rizwan & Muazzam

Sanam Marvi

Tina Sani

Zeb & Haniya

House Band:

Asad Ahmed – Lead and Rhythm Guitars

Babar Ali Khanna – Dholak

Jaffer Ali Zaidi – Keyboards

Javed Iqbal – Violin

Kamran ‘Mannu’ Zafar – Bass Guitar

Louis ‘Gumby’ Pinto – Drums and Percussion

Omran ‘Momo’ Shafique – Lead and Rhythm Guitars

Saba Shabbir – Backing Vocals

Sanam Saeed – Backing Vocals

Sikander Mufti – Multi Percussions

Zoe Viccaji – Backing Vocals

Zulfiq ‘Shazee’ Ahmed Khan – Multi Percussions

Guest Musicians

Baqir Abbas – Flute

Sadiq Sameer – Rubab

Ali Kazim – Vocals

Noor Zehra Kazim – Sagar Veena

Credits:

Video Services

Channel Tek

Guitar Tech

Danial Hyatt

Hair & Make-Up

Beenish Parwez

House Band Wardrobe

Ismail Farid

Styling

Eva Shafique

Charmaine Hyatt

Project Photographer

Kohi Marri

Event Photographer

Rizwan-Ul-Haq

PR

Lotus Client Management & Public Relations

Creative Agency

Soho

Media Agency

Pak Media Com

Web Team

Creative Chaos

Design & Photo Management

Rafid Nasir

Content & Script Writer

Nadia Jajja

Set Visuals

Sheryar Hyatt

House Band Coordinator

Eva Shafique

Production Coordinator

Shahrukh Hayat

Video Production Consultant

Ahmar Raza

Assistant to Video Producer

Kashif Shah

Assistant-Behind The Scenes

Kamal Khan

Video Editing

Muhammad Bilal

Assistant Audio Engineer

Bilal Iftikhar

Assistant Producer

Zohaib Kazi

Technical Manager

Mir Naseeruddin Wasif

Behind-The-Scenes (BTS) Producer

Adnan Malik

Associate Video Producer

Adnan Malik

Video Producer

Zeeshan Parwez

Producers

Umber Hyatt

Rohail Hyatt

By Neha Kamran

As the Netherlands yellow-carded their way into second place, the call emanating from the world is that of ‘Viva La Espana!’ Madrid rejoices with Spain’s first ever World Cup victory; weary citizens were kept awake all last night by the fireworks and general exultation. As the match went into extra time with the score standing nil-nil, spectators and audiences at home held their breaths. Midfielder, Andres Iniestas scored with four minutes to go, at the 116^th minute, and we could all finally breathe! Spain had become World Champions! With this they became the first team since West Germany, in 1974, to hold both European and World championships. The final count showed a total of 14 yellow cards; aggressive behaviour was apparently the name of the game yesterday, with perhaps the most excessive move being Netherlands’ Nigel De Jong’s ‘kung-fu kick’ in the chest to Xabi Alonso. Fernando Torres lay on the ground with a pulled hamstring for quite a few minutes toward the end of the match, but was able to join in the celebrations afterward.

By Zehra Ali

Ali Zafar is currently in India to promote ‘Tere bin Laden’. He feels that the movie will be a way of opening communication channels between India and Pakistan.

The talented actor revealed that he plays the character of a Pakistani reporter (Ali Hasan) who works for a low- budget channel named Danka TV and is assigned to cover a roosters’ crow competition. It is there that Ali finds an Osama bin Laden look-alike and then begins an action packed journey whereby Ali makes fakes videos, sells them to news channels and makes money. However in all this, the White House also gets involved which in turn twists around the story, making it all the more exciting.

Ali Zafar went for a low-budget “pro-Pakistan” movie because he feels that its concept is all that truly matters. If the trailer is any indication, this light hearted comedy is sure to boost his acting points across the Pakistani border.

Official Trailer:

By Zehra Ali

Supposedly secret weddings are all the rage in Hollywood at the moment.
For starters; Grammy-winning country singer Carrie Underwood has married NHL player Mike Fisher at a resort in Georgia.

The wedding took place Saturday at the Reynolds Plantation resort in Greensboro, Ga.

Underwood, 27, rose to fame after winning the fourth season of “American Idol.” Fisher, 30, is a forward for the Ottawa Senators.

Round about the same time somewhere in Villa D’este in Como, Italy, another happy couple consisting of actress Emily blunt and “The Office’s” John Krasinski tied the knot.

The private ceremony was held outdoors with actors such as George Clooney in attendance to witness the happy couple exchange marriage vows.

Just another day at the wedding alter really.