With their debut album out to a better appreciation by music lovers, Syed Shadab Ali Gillani reports the Kashmir music band was born out of an accident but is keen to face a future for better creativity
It was not ambition that first sparked Gaekhir Republik, a music band. It was an accidental melody, born amidst the laughter and strumming of three friends – Sarfaraz, Suhail, and Mohsin.
In 2019, music was a mere hobby for them, a refuge from the humdrum of daily life. Little did they know, a single jam session to an MC Kash tune would ignite a passion that would soon engulf them.
The Accidental Melody
Tahoor Qadri heard a few songs we had composed by then, “He encouraged us to share them with the world.”
The suggestion landed like a boulder, sending ripples of disbelief through Sarfaraz and Suhail. Thirty-something, with no formal training, releasing a song? It seemed absurd. But Tahoor was adamant, his belief a torch illuminating the path ahead.
Hesitantly, they embarked on their musical adventure. “Completely random,” Sarfaraz later reminisced, “even the video showcased the raw chaos of it all.” Khoftan baangi was the second song, first was Hubb e Watan, a wave of melody crashing against the shores of Kashmiri hearts. The lyrics resonated with the ukulele strum by Zeeshan Nabi adding a touch of melancholic beauty. It spread like wildfire, a testament to the power of music to connect souls.
A Wave of Melody
Khoftan baangi was the spark that ignited their creative fire. Collaborations blossomed, like buds opening under the spring sun. To explore these creative possibilities, the duo reached out to an old friend of Suhail. Together, their ideas swirled and danced, giving birth to a new Gaekhir Republik, its music infused with fresh perspectives and vibrant expressions.
Autumn 2020 marked the band’s official birth, and they have not looked back since. Balancing full-time jobs with their musical passion, Sarfaraz and Suhail acknowledge the challenges. “Time is a thief,” they chuckle, “and funds, sometimes, are elusive sprites.” But the spirit of music keeps them going, fuelled by the occasional helping hand and the unwavering belief of their fans.
“Gaekhir Republik’s music is a texture woven with the threads of Kashmir’s rich heritage, Abrar Bashir, a fan of the band said. It is the echo of ancient Kashmiri folk melodies bouncing off the walls of concrete jungles, a testament to the resilience of a culture that refuses to be silenced. “Their latest album, Mandnyan Shaam, is a testament to this spirit, a mystical ode to the land they call home.”
A Cultural Force
Led by Sarfaraz Javid, Suhail Ahmad, and Mohsin Hassan, Gaekhir Republik, stands as a cultural force in Kashmir’s music scene especially after Mandnyan Shaam was released. Collaborating with Mir Kashif Iqbal, their music, born from organic jam sessions, conveys deep emotions and connects with the community amid Kashmir’s enduring conflict.
The debut album showcases the band’s creative blend of rock, blues, prog, and jazz with folk, reflecting a diverse sonic landscape. Expressing eagerness to perform live, the band emphasises the natural flow of creativity as their key to success. The band intends to Rock and Roll amidst despair and isolation.
“Their art embodies a collective yearning to convey the afflictions, grief, and hopes deeply rooted in the Kashmiri psyche,” observed Rutba Shah, an occasional music reviewer. The musical endeavour organically evolved, bringing in their old friend Mohsin Hassan as the third member, creating a sound interwoven with nuances of Kashmir’s cultural and historical fabric. “The debut album resonates with Kashmir’s rich legacy dating back centuries. Each track elegantly weaves narratives echoing the trials faced by past generations, incorporating themes of greed, sorrow, and love.”
Its soundscapes present an evocative dialogue with the region’s hidden records, preserved over time through oral histories, cultural traditions, sacred rituals, and poignant expressions that serve as a ‘reservoir of resilience’. “It captures the passionate articulations of grief, separation and suffering that have defined Kashmir’s indigenous music and poetry over centuries of oppression.”
Illuminating the Path
Fuelled by organic jams and genre-defying creativity, Gaekhir Republik‘s Mandnyan Shaam pulses with raw rock and introspective poetry. “Its voice is raw, its message poignant, resonating with a community shaped by conflict and hope. In Mandnyan Shaam rock becomes a vessel for shared emotions, a tribute to Kashmir’s enduring spirit,” Abrar said.
The nine-track album, from the bluesy rock ballad Poanso to the introspective Nundkol and the hauntingly powerful Zaagaan, encompasses a diverse sonic landscape.
“What makes Gaekhir Republik’s performances unique is their intimate connection with nature,” reads a comment on their YouTube channel. The band often chooses unconventional outdoor settings to bring their music to life, serving as wellsprings of inspiration and means to reclaim lost spaces while fostering a deeper connection with the earth and cosmos. Such performances highlight the band’s embrace of their homeland’s inherent mysticism while bridging worldly and transcendental realms.
A Mystical Ode
Kashmir’s musical renaissance over the past decade transcends mere chronicles of recent events. Indeed, musicians here draw from a rich tapestry of over a thousand years of history. Yet, it is undeniably intertwined with contemporary happenings, as art evolves in concert with societal and political currents. Gaekhir Republik‘s inaugural offering emerges as a radical fusion of cross-cutting genres, serving as an indispensable testament to enduring truths. Though Kashmir may attempt to silence its voice, the fervour of its people only grows louder.
“The music connects us to a broader community forged through years of collective endurance” lead vocalist, Sarfaraz, said. This collective history infuses their work with unique perspectives and themes.
Sarfaraz, steeped in Kashmiri poetry since childhood due to his family’s poetic inclination, shares insights into the band’s creative process. “We released our debut album on October 6, 2023, collaborating with composer, guitarist, and producer Mir Kashif Iqbal. We would love to collaborate with him in the future,” the band member said. Most songs, they note, originated from spontaneous jam sessions, eschewing adherence to a particular style or genre. “By adding our layers, the music began to make sense and took on a unique character.”
Preserving Kashmir Spirit
Looking ahead, the band expresses eagerness to bring their album to live audiences. “Our priority is to bring the songs from Mandnyan Shaam to the stage and, hopefully, record the songs that did not make it to the album.” They credit overwhelming support from both friends and families, acknowledging, “Our families have been supportive Alhamdulilah.”
Gaekhir Republik stands as a rare musical voice articulating the complexity of life in Jammu and Kashmir. Amidst the gloom, the band leaves an indelible mark with poetic works expressing the valley’s twilight, mystery, and hardship.
“Amidst looming threats of external influences, Mandnyan Shaam stands as a poignant reminder of Kashmiri music’s resilience, with Gaekhir Republik as guardian of this legacy, etching the indomitable Kashmiri spirit into the annals of time,” said Qurat ul Ain, another fan of the band. Their music becomes a rallying cry to preserve an indigeneity echoing through the corridors of history, reverberating in hearts yearning for their homeland’s melodies.
Kashmiri artists face a dilemma in the music scene, with acculturation impacting views and streams. Those aligning with Bollywood influences gain more online popularity, while those preserving indigenous Kashmiri sounds face marginalisation.
Collaborating with Indian counterparts sometimes involves transculturation. Gaekhir Republik, characterised by percussive guitar patterns, transcends time, freeing listeners from conditioned notions. Gaekhir‘s music embodies a deeper connection to Kashmir’s past, offering a healing escape from modern impositions. Collaborated with Mir Kashif Iqbal, a Canada-based musician and producer, who joined the album as producer.
