Karavan

Karavan (Urdu: کاروان, literal English translation: "a group of travelers") was a hard rock band from Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan, formed in 1997. The band was founded by, former Awaz lead guitarist, Asad Ahmed with the help of his friend and bassist Sameer Ahmed, who were soon joined by drummer Allan Smith and vocalist Najam Sheraz. Karavan is known for fusing eastern percussion and melodies with modern rock. Since their inception, the group has released a collective total of five albums: including four studio albums; and one live album.

They released their debut studio album Rakh Aas in 1997. After a gap of two years, the band recorded their second album Safar with their new vocalist Tanseer Ahmed Daar since Najam Sheraz left the band to pursue a solo career. In 2002, Karavan went on releasing their third album Gardish, which included singles like "Aagay He Aagay", "Dil Ki Pyaas" and "Shor". After a gap of eight years, the band released their fourth album Saara Jahan (2010) which found the band renewed success and popularity.

History

Formation and early years (1997–2000)

Asad Ahmed started working on an untitled project with his longtime friend and bassist Sameer Ahmed. In February, after a marathon audition session featuring over fifty singers-inwaiting, the duo decided that Najam Sheraz, previously the lead vocalist of the band Wet Metal, was the best choice for this project. Najam Sheraz soon teamed up with the band and in two months time, the trio made their national debut, Karavan was formed as they opened up for Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan at the Channel V concert in Karachi. This was the very first time the band performed on a stage together.

Soon afterwards the band started working on their debut album and recording of the album started at Asad's home studio. After eight months of rehearsing and strenuous work, the band finally finished recording their debut album in August. In November, the band released their debut album, Rakh Aas, which was a huge success and was being compared with great debut albums like Vital Signs 1 and Awaz, even though Assad Ahmed played on the latter. Although the band's first single video premiered was banned by PTV due to the band sporting long hair and outlandish, loud clothes. By the end of year drummer Allan Smith marked his first appearance with the band, taken on the support of the band on tour with a live drum sound.

Karavan Logo.

Karavan starts off the New Year by playing a sold out concert at PACC in Karachi. Their first single video, "Rakh Aas", passed the censor board, after a lengthy wait, and was finally aired on PTV. In May, Karavan performed at the Karachi Club which was the last show by Najam Sheraz as part of the band. Interestingly the band Circle, which opened for Karavan that night, had Tanseer Daar as their lead vocalist. The band once again started auditioning for a lead vocalist. On 31 December, Karavan announced Tanseer Daar as their new lead vocalist.

The song Umeedain is recorded and released as the single for the World Cup album. Meanwhile, Tanseer finally makes his live debut with Karavan by performing at the Pepsi World Cup concert. After releasing their single for the World Cup Karavan started working on their second album and recorded their second full-length album, Safar, from June till November. On 31 December, Safar was released and the first single "Beqarar" from the album was shipped to different radio stations in the country. In January 2000, Karavan toured extensively to promote their second album and shot a one-hour rockumentary on the making of the album, "Safar – A Visual Evolution". The rockumentary was aired on PTV world into two parts. The global satellite broadcast was carried to 36 countries, and over 40 million people witness the beginning of a change in Pakistani musical trends. Karavan continued to tour behind Safar as sales of the record started to increase.

Gardish (2001–2003)

In February 2001, Karavan re-released Rakh Aas and Safar with new covers and new tracks. In June, the band starts writing new material for their third album named, Gardish and by August they recorded the third album in a barnstorming, 15-day session. The mixing of the album was done by next year in January till February.

In March, Karavan shot the video of the first single from their third album, "Aagey Hi Aagey" and the single made its debut on a new music channel, Indus Music in April. The single was a certified success as Karavan played for a record-breaking 30,000 people at the Dreamworld Resort and later playing some new songs in front for a crowd of 10,000 at the PAF Museum in Karachi. The band released Gardish in August. With the release of their third album Karavan toured three major states in the US going to Houston, New York and Chicago in June 2003. By November, the band played at the UN World Food Program Show held in Islamabad. In December, Karavan released the second single from their third album, "Yeh Zindagi Hai", along with a video of the single.

Mainstream success (2004–2008)

On the Independence Day, Karavan played at the unveiling of the largest national flag at the national stadium, sponsored by Shell Pakistan. In November, Pakistan Tobacco organised a rock fest with Karavan as headliners playing to a 2500-thousand-strong crowd in Islamabad. In December, the band was nominated for the "Best Live Act" at the 2005 Lux Style Awards.

In January 2006, "Shoure" video is released and was the fourth single released of the third album. In July, at the very first ARY Musik Awards Karavan was nominated in four categories and Sameer securing the Best Bassist Award. In December, Ufone launched Urock series of concerts across Pakistan to promote music and Karavan was one of the leading acts at these shows. In 2007, Karavan went on to promote their third album internationally at the International Gardish tour by playing to a packed audience at the Global Village Amphitheatre again and embarked on a tour encompassing interior cities of Punjab and Sindh taking their music to the masses.

In March 2008, Karavan played in front of a sold out crowd at the Al Nasr Arena in Dubai. Karavan began writing songs for their fourth full-length studio album. Allan Smith and Sameer Ahmed lay down basic rhythm tracks.

Saara Jahan (2009–2010)

In March 2009, Karavan enters Shahzad "Shahi" Hassan's studios, the former Vital Signs man, to start working on the guitars and vocal tracks. By June till August the mixing of the tracks is finished and the album is named Saara Jahan.^[1] In October, Karavan signs up with the ARY Musik Records.^[2]

On 4 March 2010, the first single, "Kaisay Mumkin Hai", from Karavan's fourth studio album was aired on ARY Musik. On 30 March, the band was welcomed at Play TV show "Girl Power" with DJ Sanam talking about the new video and album. On 10 April, Karavan performed at TIP College and the band debuted "Kaisay Mumkin Hai" for the first time live on stage. The band also featured at Radio One FM 91 on Dino's show. On 26 April 2010, The Muzik Records released Saara Jahan nationwide and promos of the album were launched on television for the promotion of the album. Later the same month Karavan were featured on ARY News.

On 1 May 2010, Karavan performed live at FAST University. On 15 May 2010, the line-up for Coke Studio confirmed that Karavan will feature in the third season along with many well known artists and bands like Noori, Aunty Disco Project, Entity Paradigm, Abida Parveen and many other successful musicians.^[3] On 6 June 2010, the band performed "Yaadein" at the Coke Studio third season first session, 'Reason'.^[4] On 18 July 2010, Karavan performed "Kaisay Mumkin Hai" at the third season of Coke Studio fourth session, 'Form'.^[5] On 22 July 2010, Karavan released the video of their second single "Tu" from their fourth studio album.

On 28 May, Karavan performed at Rockstation concert held at Carlton Hotel in Karachi, Sindh.^[6] However, the concert turned out to be Karavan's last live performance, the band during an interview to the local newspaper, The Express Tribune, announced their official break-up after 15 years of music.^[7] "We are done. Fifteen years is a big time period and no more music will come with the current line-up," Asad told The Express Tribune. Adding to that, he said: “The break up is still very fresh. Let’s just take it easy for a while and see what happens. I don’t know with whom, but I will definitely make music.”

Reunion (2012)

The hard rock and heavy metal band reunited and performed live together at a concert in Karachi after being in hibernation, or as reports say, “after they split-up two years ago."

Discography

Studio albums

• Rakh Aas (1997)
• Safar (1999)
• Gardish (2002)
• Saara Jahan (2010)

Live albums

• Unplugged and Unleashed (2005)

Band members

Final line-up

• Asad Ahmed – lead guitar (1997–2011)
• Sameer Ahmed – bass guitars (1997–2011)
• Allan Smith – drums (1997–2011)
• Tanseer Ahmed Daar – vocals, backing vocals (1998–2011)

Former

• Najam Sheraz – vocals (1997–1998)

References

External links

• Official Website