Wikipedia

Noori

Noori (transl. Light) is a Pakistani rock band from Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, formed in 1996. The group was formed by songwriter, lead vocalist, and guitarist, Ali Noor, along with his younger brother Ali Hamza, who were soon joined by bassist Muhammad Ali Jafri and drummer Salman Albert. Since the inception of the band, there has been many changes in the line-up; the only consistent members being brothers, Ali Noor and Ali Hamza. The band has produced songs such as "Suno Ke Mein Hoon Jawaan" and the epic "Manwa Re".

Noori
Noori performing at the launch of HBL Always On, Dolmen City Mall, Karachi. - Nov. 2014. Visible from left to right are; Ali Noor and Ali Hamza.
Noori performing at the launch of HBL Always On, Dolmen City Mall, Karachi. - Nov. 2014. Visible from left to right are; Ali Noor and Ali Hamza.
Background information
OriginLahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Genres
Years active1996–present
(on hiatus from 2006 to 2008)
Labels
  • Sadaf Stereo
  • BIY Records
MembersAli Noor
Ali Hamza
Kami Paul
Past membersSalman Albert
Farhad Humayun
Murtaza Jaffar
Muhammad Ali Jafri
Louis J. Pinto (aka Gumby)
Websitenooriworld.net

Internationally, the band has performed in countries like the United States, India, Afghanistan, United Arab Emirates and Norway.

History edit

Early years (1998 – 2002) edit

The name of the band, Noori, is not derived from Ali Noor, lead vocalist and guitarist. Noori is a Persian word which means "light" and the concept behind the band was the light which shows you things with a different perspective.

Noori started seven years before their first album Suno Ke Main Hun Jawan which was released in 2003. Before Noori, Ali Noor and Muhammad Ali Jaffri worked with co-VEN and released an EP called Not In Your World. Noori has been known for its live acts.

Debut studio album, Suno Ke Mein Hun Jawan and rise to fame (2002–2005) edit

Noori's debut album, Suno Ke Main Hun Jawan developed a cult following before the album's release in 2003 through leaks on the Internet. It offered a complicated mix of sounds, starting from a folk-like "Manwa Re" that was actually written for a Pakistani film, to hard rock anthems to youth like the title track. Noori's debut album created whirlwinds across the Urdu-speaking community all over the world. A first of its kind, it introduced the genre of pop rock music to the Pakistani mainstream. In addition, the album was also a departure from the beaten track of chummy love songs and focused instead on inspiring the youth of Pakistan to take up the responsibility of doing something worthwhile for themselves and others. Thematically with songs urging listeners to change the world, that life is beautiful and professing women empowerment. Their album was about youth, their innocence, their dreams and how they feel about life. After their album release in 2003, they performed a duet, "Nayan Jahan", with Anaida which was a success.[1][2]

Second studio album Peeli Patti Aur Raja Jani Ki Gol Dunya (2005–2007) edit

Their second album was a follow-up on where Suno Ke Main Hun Jawan left off. It talked about what happens when the ever so energetic and hopeful youth grows up and faces the realities of the world. The discontentment and suffering which arises in this growing up create an indifferent and self-centered individual, who finds escape routes in things like drugs and other short-lived pleasures. Titled Peeli Patti Aur Raja Jani Ki Gol Dunya, the album started off in a somewhat hopeful mood and then travels through bitter experiences and ends up with resigned despair, peppered with taunts. The album dealt with a variety of subjects ranging from the problems and consequences of drug use to the collective apathy we all have descended into as individuals and as a society.[3]

In 2005, Muhammad Ali Jafri, who was playing bass guitar for Noori, left the band and started his own business. In 2006, Noori parted ways with Louis J. Pinto (Gumby), the band's drummer.[4]

"Do Dil" and appearances in Coke Studio (2008–2010) edit

In 2008, after a hiatus of almost two years, Noori came back with their new single "Do Dil".

In 2009, they performed at the Coke Studio Sessions along with artists like Atif Aslam, Zeb and Haniya, Ali Zafar, Saeen Zahoor and many other successful musicians.[5] They performed a duet with Saeen Zahoor, "Aik Alif", a Sufi rock song which was huge success.[6][7] They also performed in the third episode of Coke Studio Sessions with their song "Jo Meray" which was performed in the format as it was originally composed by Ali Hamza in 2000.[8][9] They performed "Sari Raat Jaga" on the fourth Coke Studio Session.[10] On 14 August 2009, Noori performed "Kedaar" from their upcoming album at the last Coke Studio Session.[11]

On 15 May 2010, the line-up for Coke Studio confirmed that Noori will feature in the third season along with many well-known artists and bands like Entity Paradigm, Aunty Disco Project, Karavan, Abida Parveen and many other successful musicians.[12] On 20 June 2010, Noori performed a duet "Tann Dolay" with Zeb & Haniya at Coke Studio third season in the second session, 'Will'. On 10 July 2010, Noori released the studio version of the single "Tann Dolay" which also featured Zeb & Haniya. On 18 July 2010, Ali Noor and Ali Hamza did a live interview with Abdul Rauf and Maria Memon on the weekly morning show, Geo Pakistan, on Geo News. On 26 July 2010, the Noori brothers did a collaboration at the fourth Coke Studio session 'Form' for the song "Hor Vi Neevan Ho" with their mother, Noor Zehra Kazim, an accomplished player of the Sagar veena, an instrument developed by her father, Raza Kazim at the Sanjan Nagar Institute for Philosophy and Arts.[13]

Begum Gul Bakaoli Sarfarosh (2015) edit

Noori performed three preview shows for their new album Begum Gul Bakaoli Sarfarosh in Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi on 19, 20, and 21 September respectively. Each show had a limited audience of 111 people. Noori used the slogan "I am 1 in 333" for the promotion of these three shows. Although Noori set the release date for the new album at 30 September, it was later delayed to 9 October. Noori, through social media, once again announced the release of their album through a series of meet and greets in Lahore (9 October), Karachi (10 October) and Islamabad (11 October). Noori proclaimed that their album would only be available for sale at these three meets and greets, in order to build a one-on-one connection with the fans by eliminating the middleman. Noori later on performed in Peshawar on 22 November as well for the promotion of the album. Additionally, the album was made free to stream through Patari.pk as a Patari exclusive on 9 October.

Music director in Coke Studio Season 9 and Cornetto Pop Rock (2016) edit

Noori appeared as a music director in Coke Studio Season 9. Noori's first song in this capacity was "Aaja Re Moray Saiyaan", which was sung by Zeb Bangash and Ali Hamza. It was well-received.[14] The band collaborated on "Paar Channa De" with Shilpa Rao, which turned out to be successful as well.

Noori performed three concerts in Karachi, Lahore & Islamabad for Cornetto Pop Rock. Cornetto released their song featuring Quratulain Baloch, which did well on charts.[15]

Return of Noori (2023) edit

In January 2023, Ali Noor announced the return of Noori through his social media pages.[16] Noor announced the news by posting a picture of him and his other band mate and brother, Ali Hamza. The caption on the picture said, “Yes Noori is back…".[17][18][19][20][21][22]

Discography edit

Studio albums
Live albums

Film scores edit

Year Song Film Co-Singer(s)
2015 "Lahoriya" Karachi Se Lahore Shiraz Uppal
"Aja re Aja" Shiraz Uppal
"Baysabar"
"Rabi Ralli" Zarrish

Band members edit

Timeline edit

Current members
  • Ali Noor – vocals, backing vocals, lead guitar (1996–present)
  • Ali Hamza – vocals, backing vocals, rhythm guitar (1996–present)
  • Kami Paul – drums (2013–present)
Former members
  • Louis J. Pinto (aka Gumby) – drums (2003–2006, 2011–2012)
  • Salman Albert – drums, backing vocals (1996–1999)
  • Farhad Humayun – drums (2000–2002)
  • Murtaza Jaffar – rhythm guitar (2003)
  • Mohd. Ali Jafri (bass)
Live concert (additional members 2012)
  • Faraz Anwar – Lead guitar
  • Zeeshan Pervez
  • Awais Jaffery – Bass & Lead Guitar[23]

Awards edit

  • Noori won the award for the Best Rock Song for "Do Dil" at MTV Pakistan Music Awards in 2009.
  • Noori was selected as "Picked Artist of the Month" on the Pakistani music channel called The Musik in June 2006.
  • Noori has won the Best Rock Song Category Award for "Nishaan" in Indus Music Awards 2006.
  • Noori has won the Ultimate Rock song Category Award for "Saari Raat Jaga" in MTV Pakistan Awards 2006.
  • Noori has won Album of the Year award for Begum Gul Bakaoli Sarfarosh at the 15th Lux Style Awards[24]

Controversy edit

On February 18, 2022, a journalist named Ayesha Binte Rashid accused Ali Noor of sexual harassment.[25] She called him a sexual harasser and predator in her Instagram post.[26] In response to these allegations, Ali Noor said he is truly, deeply sorry.[27]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ nooriworld.net Suno Ke Mein Hun Jawan Review Archived 26 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 14 July 2009
  2. ^ "Suno Ke Main Hun Jawan write-up and album credits | nooriworld.net". Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  3. ^ nooriworld.net Peeli Patti Aur Raja Jani Ki Gol Dunya Review[permanent dead link] Retrieved 14 July 2009
  4. ^ Syed, Madeeha (23 August 2008). "EXCLUSIVE: Gumby to reckon with". Dawn. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  5. ^ Noori at Coke Studio Archived 18 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 14 July 2009
  6. ^ Coke Studio Aik Alif Video Archived 7 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 14 July 2009
  7. ^ Aik Alif Review Retrieved 14 July 2009
  8. ^ nooriworld.net Jo Meray Review[permanent dead link] Retrieved 14 July 2009
  9. ^ Jo Meray Video Archived 13 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 14 July 2009
  10. ^ Coke Studio Saari Raat Jaga Video Archived 29 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 26 July 2009.
  11. ^ Kedaar Video Archived 17 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 15 August 2009
  12. ^ Lineup of Coke Studio Season 3 (Complete) Retrieved on 16 May 2010.
  13. ^ Episode 4 Form Archived 26 July 2010 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 1 August 2010.
  14. ^ Salah Uddin, Zahra (14 August 2016). "Coke Studio review: Episode 1 saved by Zeb Bangash's lovely ballad". [[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn Images]]. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  15. ^ Sarym, Ahmed; Merchant, Shafaq Tariq (18 July 2016). "QB collaborates with Noori for Cornetto Pop & Rock". Hip in Pakistan. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  16. ^ Essa, Sheroz (4 January 2023). "Noori Is Back & Announces To Return As A Band". Parhlo. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  17. ^ "'Noori' band is back in action, announces Ali Noor". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  18. ^ "Ali Noor officially announces the return of the Noori band". Bol News. 4 January 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  19. ^ "Iconic band Noori announces comeback". Daily Pakistan Global. 4 January 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  20. ^ "Ali Noor officially announces 'Noori is back'". Daily Times. 4 January 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  21. ^ Style, BR Life & (4 January 2023). "Noori, the band all set to regroup". Brecorder. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  22. ^ "It's official, Noori is back!". The Express Tribune. 4 January 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  23. ^ Jaffery, Awais. "Performance in Ottawa". DesiVibe.com. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
  24. ^ "LSA 2016 winners: The complete list". The Express Tribune. 29 July 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  25. ^ Sultan, Asfa (18 February 2022). "Singer Ali Noor called out for sexual harassment". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  26. ^ Aftab, Yumna (18 February 2022). "Journalist accuses singer Ali Noor of sexual harassment, being a 'predator'". The News International. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  27. ^ "Musician Ali Noor accused of sexual harassment, says he is 'truly, deeply sorry'". Dawn Images. 19 February 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2022.

External links edit

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