Beygairat Brigade
Rock ‘n roll and politics have always been interrelated, with musicians attempting to make change one chord at a time. When Pakistani rockers Beygairat Brigade released the video for their single “Aalu Anday”, they created an international sensation. The song, Punjabi for “Potatoes and Eggs,” is a catchy, clever indictment of extremism. Beygairat Brigade – whose name means “A Brigade without Honor,” a nudge at the Honor Brigades of the Pakistani right – satirizes religious fundamentalists, the military, and ultranationalists – all dangerous targets in Pakistan.
Beygairat Brigade are singer Ali Aftab Saeed, drummer Daniyal Malik, and guitarist Hamza Malik.
At the end of the video, lead singer Ali holds up a sign reading, “If you want a bullet through my head, ‘like this video.’” Because satire is serious business, and all the more important when it’s risky, we’re proud to feature Beygairat Brigade. Read on.
1. What is your hometown?
We’re all Lahore based
2. With what fictional character do you most identify?
Ali
The protagonist of “Of Human Bondage”
Daniyal
Dr Faustus
3. In the movie of your life, cast an actor to play you.
Ali
Val Kimer ( his character in “The Doors”)
Daniyal
Joaquin Phoenix
4. What work of art speaks to your soul?
Ali
The movie “Inception” everything close to it.
Daniyal
“Nothing but truth” by Saadat Hasan Manto
5. What books are you currently reading or recommending?
Ali
“Our Lady of Alice Bhatti” by Mohammad Hanif (will see if it’s good)
Daniyal
“Conquest of Happiness” by Bertrand Russell
6. What song or album is currently in heavy rotation on your iPod?
Ali
AR Rehman’s tracks from “Rockstar” and Akon
Daniyal
Jason Mraz’s Discography
7. What’s the last movie that made you cry?
Ali
“Pursuit of Happiness”
Daniyal
“The Fountain”
8. Cat person or dog person?
Ali
Dog person
Daniyal
Dog person
9. What is more important, truth or kindness?
Ali
Truth
Daniyal
Truth
10. How do you define sin?
Ali
If you face repercussions of something you did then it’s a sin
Daniyal
In archery when you aim at a target and throw the arrow, the distance by which you miss the centre spot is how much sin you have done
11. How do you define virtue?
Ali
If you and others benefit from something you did then it’s a virtue
Daniyal
Is an objective i.e the doer and the receiver of the action both benefit from the action
12. Design your headstone: What does it say? What does it look like?
Ali
He came and left a mark
Daniyal
He didnt pass the chain letter
Bonus Question: Who would you like to see answer these questions?
Ali
Socrates
Daniyal
Asif Ali Zardari (President of Pakistan)
Connections:
