Pakistani rock band Strings part ways after 33 years; Indian pop artists Palash Sen, Sona Mohapatra and netizens bid them tearful adieu

By Vandana Srivastawa

on March 27, 2021 04:50:05 PM

Pakistani rock band Strings, well-known for their hit songs like Dhaani, Duur, Najaney Kyun and several others shocked fans when they announced that they are ending their 33-year-long musical partnership on Thursday evening. The group took to social media to announce their decision to disband, saying that the members share an ‘inseparable bond’.

The band shared on social media, “Hey guys. This post is a bit different from the usual. We have decided that today, 25/03/2021, is the day we graciously get to conclude STRINGS. The past 33 years have been incredible for both of us. It’s so rare to have the chance to be able to do things like this and we are infinitely grateful to all of our fans for making it possible. We hope you found it worthwhile as well. While the band technically may not be together anymore, both of us share an inseparable bond that will connect us no matter where life takes us. Thank you so much for everything.”

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A post shared by Strings (@stringsonline)

The band was first formed in 1988, and the original band members included Bilal Maqsood, Faisal Kapadia, Rafiq Wazir Ali and Kareem Bashir Bhoy, who formed Strings at their college farewell party. They disbanded in 1992 but returned in 1999 with two of the original members-Bilal and Faisal and had been going strong since then. The band was largely loved in Pakistan as well as India and had a massive fan following. Some of their tracks were also included in Hindi films like Zinda and Shootout at Lokhandwala. The band’s last album Thirty released in 2019.

News of them disbanding was met with dismay by not only their Indians and Pakistani fans but also Indian musicians who had collaborated with them over the years. Palash Sen, Sona Mohapatra, Rahul Ram recalled special memories of sharing stage with Strings. Sona said, “To have made a journey for 33 years as a band is no mean feat. I have only the deepest admiration and love for Bilal and Faisal whom I met in the course of shooting our music video together in Istanbul. They are thorough gentlemen, incredible musicians and I am sure they will create a brand new individual signature in their solo journeys as artists. What I loved most about the music of Strings is their ‘thehraav' and calm. Also, no catering or pandering to the latest trends or fashion in music, their self-belief and grace was unmatchable. I wish them well and hope to meet them soon too.”

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A post shared by Palash Sen (@instadhoom)

Palash said, “I remember we collaborated with them for India-Pakistan series. It was my idea to get Faisal and Bilal together, because the series was happening such a long time, so I thought, it'd be a nice idea to have them onboard as well. We have done multiple concerts with them, and sharing the stage with them. All these memories, that stay with me. The band has ended, but my friendship with them will go on. I hope, we get to play at their reunion soon.”

Indian Ocean's bass player Rahul Ram said, “They were proud Pakistanis, but that never made them look at India with contempt. And this was reciprocated and that's why the band was loved so much in India. They were good humans first, and then awesome musicians. They were really really good musicians who knew how to entertain a crowd! We have played many times with them together and even did a show with BBC with them, where they were live from Karachi and we were live from Delhi.”

Check out some of the tweets below from the fans who bid them a tearful adieu:

Here’s something india and Pakistan can agree on.

Thank you, #Strings. Thank you for all the music.

Kaash yeh Aakhri Alvida na hota. pic.twitter.com/S1As7UJIG2

— Uday Rana (@UdaySRana) March 25, 2021

I love you #Strings, you have made up my childhood. My best most memorable moments in life were your concerts. Thank you for helping me through heartaches, love, sadness and anxiety#StringsBreakUp #SongsThatJustCant https://t.co/xaig8ZYKJI

— Javeria Khalid (@JavKhal) March 25, 2021

#Strings parted ways after 33 years, and people say that 2020 was the worst year. It breaks my heart, can't sleep; thinking of the memories I lived listening and enjoying their music. I wish it to be fake news but... #StringsForever

— Sam Butt (@soomeebutt) March 25, 2021