Step into a time when Karachi was more than just a city—it was a state of mind. Before air pollution, gang violence, and religious conservatism clouded its skyline, Karachi sparkled as a model of a post-colonial city. In the swinging 60s and early 70s, it was a place where everyone was someone, and the nightlife was groovy. Bands like The Panthers, The Bugs, The Panthers, and The Abstracts ruled the night at clubs where Parsis, Christians, elite Muslim kids, Foreigners, and local dreamers mixed. Sadly this glamorous era faded into memory once the sale of alcohol & nightclubs was banned in the late 70s, as the country's politics gradually became more conservative.
Our project is a journey to uncover what happened to those who once illuminated Karachi's nights. We'll shine a spotlight on the minority communities (Christian, Parsi), who were the backbone of the music scene, and explore what came after and the legacy they left behind.
Tania Mohammad (co-host) :
A Karachi-born, denizen of the world who grew up in Canada, US, and Saudi Arabia, but now calls New York her home and tells stories about it (“Undiscarded: Stories of New York”, “Act Two New York”). She’s always wondered what would have been different if her dad had lived out his Rock N’ Roll dreams with “The Abstracts” instead of going to college like a good Pakistani son.
Shahjehan Khan (co-host):
First-generation Pakistani-American Muslim punk rock legend and award-winning podcaster (“King of The World”). He heard about this scene way too late in life and wants to make sure no one else misses it.
PURPOSE:
To expose the young generation of local Pakistanis, the South Asian Diaspora all over the world, and other music nerds about the significance of Karachi's forgotten nightlife era and the lasting legacy of the legends who lived it.
CURRENT STATUS:
Actively fundraising for this project, seeking appropriate partners, and working on a pilot episode. Interviews were secured from the 1960s/1970s legendary Musicians from The Panthers, The Blackjacks, The 3 Dimensions, as well as, next-generation musician Gumby, Pakistan's most famous drummer and well-known Producer.