The human mind and how anything affects it is is something constantly being researched. It is true that listening to happy music can elevate our moods when we, as individuals, are feeling down. However, as with all things related to the human mind, scientific journals researching the effect of music on the brain have also found researching how ‘sad’ music can provide catharsis and pleasure to listeners (according to recent research by Durham University). According to the study, most participants experienced positive results. The pros and cons of happy music versus sad music will continue as music therapy slowly gains momentum and becomes a common tool for mood boosting. In honour of this phenomenon, we look at songs from Pakistani cinema that may be sad but certainly fall under the category of cathartic and comforting during a time of sadness.

Song: ‘Jogiya’

Film: Moor (2015)

Former music group, Strings, produced the music for Jami’s 2015 film, Moor (which means ‘mother’) and nailed the original soundtrack with a number of songs that fit right into the film’s narrative. But ‘Jogiya’, sung by Jawed Bashir carries a sense of loss that feels both personal and social. The lyrics by Anwar Maqsood are heavy, and unlike usual Strings songs, don’t deflect obvious pain. As music directors, Strings (Bilal Maqsood and Faisal Kapadia) don’t make the soundscape garish but let the words guide the music as the song reaches a crescendo. An elegy mixed with rock does sound odd but, in this case, it actually pulls you in and doesn’t let you go, connecting with deeper and perhaps sadder emotions and giving them a language at a time when it is hard to articulate those emotions.

Song: ‘Aah Ko Chahiye’

Film: Manto (2015)

‘Aah Ko Chahiye’ is not an original creation in the sense that there are many versions of it that have been sung and featured in other projects. And yet, the version sung by Ali Sethi - who excels at such minimal, poetic songs - for Sarmad Khoosat’s film Manto (2015) is the ultimate version. It is so compelling that it almost casts a spell on listeners. Produced by Jamal Rahman, sung by Ali Sethi and with poetry by Mirza Ghalib, the deliberately dialed down music and a performance by Ali Sethi as if he’s embodied the words makes it one of those songs you go to when almost anything has pulled you down. The Urdu is not as difficult to understand as you might think and has a lasting quality. It’s poetic, minimal and sung with great heart. Go for it on those anxious, sadder days as the country pulls itself apart.

Song: ‘Zindagi Tamasha Bani’

Film: Zindagi Tamasha (2019)

Sarmad Khoosat makes a second appearance on this list with his film Zindagi Tamasha for its soundtrack, again. The film may not have gotten a run in Pakistani cinemas thus far, but its music is among the best we’ve ever encountered.

The song, ‘Zindagi Tamasha Bani’ from Sarmad’s film is composed and performed by the astonishingly good Nimra Gilani while the music video as well as the song is a homage to “lyricist Khawaja Pervez Sahab, music composer Wajahat Attre, singer Afshaan Jee and Actor Mumtaaz Jee” notes the music video for this film song. You can always listen to the version that influenced this particular version, or opt for the updated one performed by Nimra Gilani in a way that is heartbreaking, with music produced by Ibrahim Akram, Varqa Faraid (both from Saakin) and Shamsher Rana.

The present version has made a genuine effort to keep the spirit of the original song intact. However, with Saakin and Shamsher Rana forming the music team, the Nimra Gilani version is just as special - if not more. There’s a quiet, minimal purity to the soundscape and Nimra sings in a manner that is both empathic to the words and almost living them. This kind of artistry in film music is rare and this ‘cover’ is as beautiful as it is tragic, sonically, lyrically and how it is performed. Bravo!

Song: ‘Power Di Game’

Film: Verna (2017)

Pakistani music industry - from its golden age to resurrection - can certainly put out sad songs and happy songs with many falling in the typical category and some rising out of the collective film music inventory showcasing the dark and gritty side of life, reflecting on it in a song. This is the case with Xpolymer Dar’s track for Pakistani film Verna called ‘Power Di Game’ whose official music video features the film’s stars, Mahira Khan and Haroon Shahid - alongside the rapper.

Its dark energy and the messaging range from the difference between classes and how it can affect lives to political games to religious dogma to deteriorating social fabric and how these issues make you scream since this situation also often makes you feel powerless. The original music video, at one point, shows Mahira Khan scream, which is exactly what every morning can induce as Pakistan remains in a quagmire of its own making. The song, a rap song, is so effective because Xpolymer Dar’s performance is gritty, and Shoaib Mansoor’s words, powerful.