The 2019 Cricket World Cup is finally upon us! And Junoon’s Aa Choolay Aasman has lots going for it.
Firstly, it aims to unite the disparate and marginalized sections of our society. Women, both urban and rural, Christians, Muslims, Sikh Sardars, young and old alike root for Pakistan as Cricket fever rises before the world cup!
But here’s the hitch. Does the song really mirror reality or is it yet another figment of our rose-tinted Pakistani dream-loving imaginations?
We seek to see what we want to, and in moments of intense patriotism, e.g The Cricket world cup, Independence Day, Elections, Imran Khan, we fervently believe what we see.
Hopefully the Pakistan Cricket Team shows enough dum to stay in the tournament long enough and fire the spirit of unity.
For those of you who feel we are painting a very pessimistic picture – Let’s just say that when young girls in Pakistan feel safe to venture on to our streets to play cricket, football, and yes, even gully danda – when we find it in ourselves to cater to non-Muslims in Ramazan, or let a poor, old or sick man take medicine in broad daylight in Ramazan, when ordinary Pakistani citizens sit side by side with Hindus and eat together, we will truly feel the change and the unity, and perhaps, attempt to touch the skies!.
However, all is not lost as what stands out ironically throughout that nostalgic, and fabulous Junoon composition, is that – what seems to truly unite the nation is the rock band itself!
The much-loved music Junoon creates has finally returned as fans rushed ecstatically to welcome them back and comment on the YouTube single:
“The Legends are back. Awesome. Awesome and awesome!”
“This song will grow on you. Junoon is back. And Taylor … great drumming as usual!”
Junoon would do well be reminded that it is their powerful vocals, catchy composition, and strong lyrics that are also able to unite a nation, if not more, then as much, as Cricket!
However, let’s hope that we can take inspiration from the high points of Choolay Aasman.
Till then, perhaps it is cricket we will turn to, and Rock Band JUNOON, to live our dreams, (at least during the 2019 Cricket World Cup)!
Enough said, now go and win that cup Team Pakistan, and release a new single Junoon (your fans are rooting for you) – perhaps you didn’t hit that six after all, but a four? yes – for sure – that one crossed the boundary line!
