Pakistani singer to perform before President Pranab Mukherjee

Pakistani singer Zebunnisa Humayun Bangash, Zeb of 'Zeb and Haniya Band' fame, is all set to perform before a select audience tomorrow including President Pranab Mukherjee with a theme that music binds countries beyond their boundaries.
Having been invited for the second time to perform at the three-day SAARC Band festival beginning November 7, Zeb was seen busy with her band especially for the performance at Rashtrapati Bhavan auditorium as curtain raiser to the main function on Friday.
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"I have performed at many places, but I am little nervous about my performance tomorrow before the President of this country. It is such a great honour for me and I hope that I can live up to the expectations and confidence reposed in me," says Zeb, who completed her studies in Art History and Economics from the Mount Holyoke College in the US.
She said the simmering tension between India and Pakistan has never come in her way or in chalking her path to glory in the music industry.
"...all this is politics and it should be left to the politicians of either country to resolve the tensions amicably.
"My answer to every problem is music which crosses boundaries and connects souls. The music is same, not only in this sub-continent but across central Asia," she said.
Having travelled to India on earlier occasions, Zeb says singers like Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar have millions of fans following across the border and similarly "I find Ghazal Maestro Mehdi Hassan is respected by millions here."
Humming famous number of Kishore Kumar "aane wala pal, jaane wala hai" from Hrishikesh Mukherjee's 'Golmaal', Zeb says she has grown up listening to the song.
"There have been many occasions when Lata jee's melodious voice has acted as a lullaby and put me to sleep after a tiring day."
Concentrating on tomorrow's function, Zeb says she was grateful to the organisers of SAARC Band festival who had given her the opportunity to perform in front of such an elite gathering.
"I will be singing some of my original numbers that have been written and composed by me. It will be fusion of Sufi and folk songs blended with some modern tunes and attempt will be only to touch the souls through music -- which is divine," says Zeb, who has been a playback singer in songs such as "Ajnabi" in John Abraham-starrer "Madras Cafe" and "Sooha Saha" in Alia Bhatt-starrer "Highway".
Asked whether she faced any problems in performing in Pakistan, she said "no, not at all. My family encouraged me, my friends and media in Pakistan always supported us. We have not faced any problems in staging live performances."
Zeb's family hails from Kohat in the North West Frontier of Pakistan, but has settled in Lahore, where Zeb grew up and currently resides.
Giving a brief introduction about her music, Zeb said it was influenced by Pashto and Dari folk songs which was mixed with elements of Sufi and Turkish music and woven around jazz.
She says singing the song "Sooha Saha" in 'Haryanvi' in 'Highway' was a milestone of her career.
"It's a dream come true that I have worked with such a great composer as AR Rehman. It was really an achievement for a college kid who started experimenting with music as a hobby along with my cousin Haniya Aslam to meet him and record with him."
And after performing at the SAARC band festival, Zeb will be preparing to record songs for new bollywood movies 'Runningshaadi.com' produced by Shoojit Sircar of 'Madras Cafe' and 'Viccky Donor' fame and 'Ghoomketu' by Anurag Kashyap of 'Gangs of Waseypur' fame.
LISTEN: Songs of Zeb on Gaana.com
WATCH: Zeb & Haniya, Bibi Sanam, Coke Studio Pakistan, Season 3