Swahili movie 'MONICA'

The ongoing battle of justice for deserted children in the country was raised earlier in the film 'MONICA' written, produced and directed by Varda Arts. The movie was released in 1998 at the 'Starlight Cinema'. The Chief-guest Hon.Minister Mama Shamim Khan during the screening of the film literally could not hold back her tears viewing Monica struggle with an abandoned child. "You guys made my eyes wet. ." She emotionally said sitting beside me while watching the movie during the premiere show.
Though, at present, movies with social messages are more or less passe. However, Varda Arts belonged to the generation of artistes who tried their hardest to combine entertainment with a purpose either through their music or through their movies. 'MONICA' was highly acclaimed by critics at the ZIFF (Zanzibar International Film Festival) for its meaningful subject which, at one level seemed quite outdated, and at another, relevant in the conservative African and Indian scenario.
Men are hypocrites. On the one hand, we eulogize womankind as being noble and great as the embodiment of motherhood. When we want to give our nation the highest respect, Africans address it as 'Mama Yetu Tanzania' and Indians in India address it as 'Bharat Mata' but in practical life, we always give women the worst possible treatment. They are treated as slaves. Young daughters and children are raped in societies.
Even pet animals get better treatment in many homes. Cases of suicide, bride burning, child abuse, are still rampant in a so-called civilized world. The birth of a girl child is still considered a curse in our families. Why is it so? All these issues have been well scripted and exposed in the movie 'MONICA' that symbolize love, affection and warmth. Women deserve to be respected and put on a pedestal. They have as much right to happiness as any man.
Varda Arts' Swahili movie 'MONICA' was a fight for their rights of happiness.
Tanzania Media Womens Association (TAMWA) highly acknowledged Varda Arts' effort to highlight this issue. They never missed Varda Arts during their campaigns.
Though, the movie 'MONICA' may not be in the same league of contemporary Bongo action movies, but it had its heart in the right place, and even now, it succeeds in reducing audiences to tears.

This old article published in Sunday news of March 8, 1992 by the most prominent Tanzanian photojournalist Muhindin Issa Michuzi who is well-known for initiating the 'Michuzi Blog.' Felt like sharing this with our well-wishers regarding the first ever 'Top-Ten Show' Competition held in our country in 1988.
Excerpt : "One significant thing during the Top-Ten Show competition is that Varda Arts were the only band who had no instruments of their own. . But they still managed to make history with what inferior equipment they had managed to hire and that is a landmark. . To have come up all the way as self-made artists, without asking any assistance from the government, donors or the Asian community, in itself is praiseworthy feat which should be emulated by others of their likes. ."
The writer mentioned this as there were other bands that refused to participate in the competition as it did not possess proper instruments. However, one should not forget that those days, even a string of 'Guitar' was not available in the country! To add here, only two days had remained for the competition and our main Key-Board player Rafik Farook became seriously ill! Instead of withdrawing ourselves from the competition, we decided to train Yunus Senior over Key-Board who had never played that instrument before. He practiced for 8 hours a day continuously for those two days and he did fairly well and we won against all odds averse to the seasoned artistes and well equipped bands!
The song was 'Tazama Tanzania' which was adjudged 8th out of 10 'Top-Ten Songs.' In 1989, the following year, Varda Arts's Song, 'Watoto' was also awarded for its merit and both songs have become timeless as they are still played over radios even after 30 years!
Thank you TANZANIA for the love showered upon us for all these years!

After Varda Arts got officially registered, our first stage show with an orchestra was at IFM Hall.. We tirelessly practiced for two months.. The Chief Guest was Hon. Alnoor Kassam.. and the show was a Super Flop..!!! The amplifier that we had hired blew in-between our performance! We apologized to the audience but they kept shouting, booing, mocking, laughing and left the hall.. Seeing us disgraced, Hon. Alnoor Kassam consoled us by his encouraging remarks while our considerable efforts for the show were rolling down through our eyes in tears forcefully.. Critics had warned us not to venture in the music industry but to find a job instead.. We faced many failures and taunts may be rightly as music was not considered as a job in those days.. Against all odds, we gradually continued performing free as to be known at a time when we did not own our own microphone.. Though it took long hard working years of patience, struggle and perseverance to attain our goal, but our strong determination finally paid off.. Rome was not built in a day! This proverb and this story may be a source of encouragement to the younger generation.. In the first two pictures, Varda Arts being honored by the then President of Tanzania, Ali Hassan Mwinyi and then sixth Sec General of OAU (Organization of African Unity) Dr. Saalim Ahmed Saalim during shows!

Noorali and Kassamali, two friends were travelling to Canada to attend a wedding. Noorali saw an embroidered Pathani 'Kurti' in Kassamali's suitcase.
"Kassu, Bro, I love this Kurti! Can I borrow it? I want to impress the guests at the arrival and then will return it back!" Kassamali, however did not like the idea but somehow gave Noorali his Kurti.
Guests flocked to receive them at the Airport. Introducing Noorali to the guests, Kassamali said, "He is my famous friend Noorali who was in Canada but is now settled back in Tanzania with a T-Shirt printed 'Canada'.He is my neighbor at Upanga. He is noble, humble, gentle, and a good human being. The Kurti he is wearing is mine!" Noorali pushed Kassamali aside and whispered, "Yaar, why did you say this Kurti is yours?" "OK, I wont mention that again." Another group of guests came to welcome them and Kassamali introduced, "Meet my friend Noorali, the Kurti he is wearing is his!" Again, Noorali took him on the side, "Kassu, Yaar, why did you tell them this Kurti is mine?" Kassamali said, "Fine, now i will not say anything regarding this Kurti whether its mine or yours!" Next group came and Kassamali said, "He is my friend Noorali, I will not say anything about the Kurti he is wearing because he has told me not to tell anyone about this!"
"Tanzania thi aiwo maro friend Noorali, Kasubhai ni Kurti ene mongi padi gai. .!!"

Kuolewa Naami

Varda Arts - Jungbari

Varda Arts - Jungbari song!
Kacchi-Swahili language spoken among Zanzibari-Asians has been a landmark and an identity of Jungbaris (Zanzibaris) for years! It is so sweet to listen to Zanzibari-Asians speaking broken Kacchi replaced by Kiswahili!

Jungbaris are more comfortable with the use of the Swahili language in the family rather than their native language Kuchhi! They speak better Swahili than even the mainland Africans. We personally have always found it so pleasing and have admired their sweet flow of this mixed Kacchi-Swahili language. In this song 'Jungbari' we have tried to capture few cultural fabrics for East Africa's Gujarati families settled in Tanzania and Kenya as 'Kacchi' is deprived from Kutch district in Gujarat, India.

There is an unlimited joy for any music band to have their work accepted and appreciated!! Recently, a well wisher handed us a copy of the news paper 'Championi' dated 31st Jan 2016 that had carried Varda Arts story.. This is our true reward to be still remembered by the majority African community of Tanzania who since years have been showering their love and respect to value our art from the chore of their heart!!

In our time, we used to write and sing our own songs. Played and composed music in different languages including the rich Swahili East African language. Made music videos. Performed in Hotels and traveled throughout East Africa doing stage shows and live concerts in stadiums. We organized several International concerts with great artists like Dilip Kumar and Mahendra Kapoor in Tanzania. We had our Photography Studio and we wrote and published a picture-novel book called “Dr. Yes”. We did sound engineering, editing and mixing for movies in our studio. We worked as “Radio DJ” at F.M Radio Station as Producer and Presenter. We made several Swahili Movies, by Producing, Directing, Writing Story, Lyrics and Dialogues, also Singing, Acting, and giving Background music, as the pioneers in movie making in Tanzania now known as ‘Bongo Movies’. We worked with leading News Papers writing weekly columns and articles in several Magazines over cultural issues. We worked with a Television company where we Produced Documentaries, high profile Interviews, News Casting, while also writing and producing more than 100 Swahili Comedy and Drama Episodes that became highly famous. Whenever there was need to raise funds for a Charity Organization or a Political Campaign, we were the first to be remembered to ensure success, as Varda Arts was not only a name among Tanzanians of Asian and African Community and due to our contribution to the Nation’s cultural fabric, we were invited to perform in presence of the Father of the Nation Mwalimu Nyerere followed by the following three Presidents of Tanzania.
It was difficult to earn respect in the Entertainment Industry in our time. This was a big issue as music was looked down on as a ‘Time Pass’ hobby and not a serious profession. People advised us to ‘get a real job.’ That was a general perception of an artist those days. Sitting in a ‘Dala-Dala’ bus we hid our faces in order to not be recognized. For many years, we were made guilty for our profession and were given derogatory names as performing artists. We happily accepted that we shall spend our life in unhealthy criticism against us.
Internet brought the realization and changed the perception of our changing cultural trends with huge impact. Maria Richa Adhia Richa Adhia became a celebrity winning the crown of ‘Miss Tanzania.’ Businessmen now sing in our shows and do not feel inhibited in singing themselves with pride. We find Professional Models, Make-up Artists, Fashion Designers, Photographers, Event Organizers, Cake Designers, Singers, DJs and Sound Engineers doing commendable jobs connected to art with respect.
Our minds should not be clouded by negative elements of artists. At the same time artists should not look to those Businessmen with more wealth to see how they are living in comparison to their own lives wanting more success with short-cuts.

Jhanak Jhanak (Devdas)

Nilikupenda

VARDA ARTS - ITV CLIP

This clip from ITV News Channel was aired on Sunday, 8th October 2017. We want to say, We appreciate you ITV! For remembering us, and reminding us of a different time of our life. This was the beginning of an era we unknowingly did not aim to create, but with God's grace and hard-work, we were able to achieve more love, success and achievements we did not think we ever could! Special 'Thank You' to Mr. Hemed Kivuyo of ITV

Varda Arts was officially registered in Tanzania on 23rd August, 1980

Muhammad Iqbal Varda on the right with his friend

It is Muhammad Iqbal Varda on the right (In red shirt) who composed songs like JAMILA WANGU, CANADA THI AIVO MARO FRIEND NURALI, HUU INDIA NO RAJA and many more songs.. He is blessed with the voice of Muhammed Rafi Sahab, the Legend.

Mela Restaurant' proudly presents Varda Arts every Friday! Experience the delicious food and soothing music by the legends!

Compliments are the reward of your work. Ashvin Bhai Mehta visiting Dar after 30 years from U.K with his family, was in attendance at Khana Khazana last Friday all in praise for us as he shared his feelings about how he viewed our performance according to his perception.
Often, people say nice things about us.. and for us, it becomes difficult to respond because we find the words like 'Thank you' too small for that!
We all like to be praised as it is human weakness. It will not be self-effacing if we shared this clip with our fans, because all praise belongs to God Almighty for the gift bestowed to us. We simply deliver this gift that rightly belongs to our audience and nothing more than that.

It was an honorable moment when Bhai Satish Joshi who has a deep knowledge of music and one of our well-wishers brought for us a book, 'Mile Sur' as a gift all the way from India and respectfully presented it to us last Wednesday at Hotel Sapphire.
Gifts do not matter, but the sentiments behind the gift matters a lot. For us, the value of this book of musical knowledge is an encouragement that money cannot buy. We all need cheerleaders like Satish Bhai in our lives who help us to move forward with hope and fortitude.

It was an honor to get an invitation by Mr. Adam Zuberi, the Program Manger at CITY FM RADIO 91.7 DSM for an interview as mark of respect to recognize the work of veteran musicians or politicians etc. for their contribution towards the Nation since Independence.

It was an honor to meet and to know Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad, a Zanzibar Politician and a Sec. Gen. of the Civic United Front (CUF) and the First Vice President of Zanzibar

I would like to share this with all of you. . It was an honor to meet and to know Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad, a Zanzibar Politician and a Sec. Gen. of the Civic United Front (CUF) and the First Vice President of Zanzibar during one of his highly interesting and fascinating interview session at the CEN Television in 1997. .

Sunheri Yaadein : Iqbal Varda (varda arts' Rafi) on 'tabla' with 'Rasik Pandya & Party music group of Dar Es Salaam..Iqbal Varda was popularly known for his ability to sing while playing 'tabla' at the same time..rare talent in music-world..Next to him is a renowned singer Suresh Mehta..on looking is another notable singer Bhagwaan performing at a private function..!!!

The Great play-back singer of India, Mahendra Kapoorji on stage singing a duet with Yunus Varda

The Great play-back singer of India, Mahendra Kapoorji on stage singing a duet with Yunus Varda dressed and singing in female Salma Aga's voice (Dil ki yeh arzoo hai koi dilruba mile, from film Nikaah) At the fully packed Diamond Jubilee Hall in 1987. The notable singer also crowned Yunus Varda for his ability to do justice to the legendary Salma Aga's voice. Dilip Kumar with his wife Saira Banu, Comedy King Mehmood, First lady Mama Maria Nyerere, with 20 Tanzanian politicians were in attendance.

Varda Arts - Hai Yeh Dua Subhaan

Varda Arts - Aga Khan Jubilee Song (Mera Koi Nahi Hai Tere Siwa)

We would like to thank the Ismaili Jamaat of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, for giving us the opportunity to perform LIVE on the
Imamat Day, at the Diamond Jubilee Hall, on the 9th of July, 2017 commemorating the Diamond Jubilee 60th Anniversary of Mawlana Hazar Imam's accession to the Ismaili Jamaat.
We were fortunate to have performed during the Golden Jubilee celebrations 10 years ago in 2007 as well.
This is from us,
With Love, Peace and Brotherhood.

VARDA ARTS COMPLETES 20 YEARS AT KHANA KHAZANA 1997-2017

Historical records are not intended to be created, they just happen. It is our jubilant day to have completed ’20 Years’ of entertainment at 'Khana Khazzana' where families flock to this famous place for fun gathering on Fridays. This day, our memory flash-back to 1997 when KK was under final stages of its construction and Akber bhai called us for our inputs on where to put up the stage and its needs.
During the span of 20 years, we have pleasant memories of our loyal fans who have shared their joy with us. It has been tough, to perform constantly without missing a single ‘Friday’ for 20 years no matter what! We have been offered lucrative amount to skip a Friday and perform elsewhere, but we have always resisted the temptation with thanks and have stuck to our principles and ethics of our profession, though we desperately have needed money!
We are humbled when groups of visitors from overseas book KK in advance, even before their arrival through travel agents like any other tourist attraction!
At times, we become mentally frustrated performing non-stop for 6 to 7 hours without a single break of even 5 mins to have a cup of tea! Under such pressure, we take full responsibility if we have hurt anyone’s feelings as we might have overlooked. To them, we say, “We are sorry!”
Thank you Akber Pirmohamed bhai, you never led us by authority showing off those familiar bossy attitudes but treated us like family with appreciable respect! Currently Minesh bhai does the same, Thank you Minesh bhai! Thank you Maashuk bhai, as a Manager you were caring and helpful and not like a school headmaster! Thank you to the service minded waiters of KK for being there for us till late hours! Thank you to our wives, you have sacrificed joyful moments of our life especially during holidays like Eid, Diwali, Easter, Christmas or New Year while we are always busy entertaining our fans, your timeless devotion has made us fall in love with you more than ever! Thank you to our beloved father and mother in Heaven, we believe it is your duas that we prosper united as brothers!
We are told to apply for the ‘Guinness Book of World Records’ but friends, it is our nature not to bother to win awards but to win people’s heart, because awards are decided by people, but people’s love is from God.
We have also completed 10 years at the New Africa Hotel and 5 years at Hotel Sapphire!
For us, you are our true honor and reward for having listening to us persistently for more than 35 years now and yet you are not tired of us. Your love has turned into a deep emotional bonding. What more can one wish to be bestowed upon such magnimous ‘reward’ by their fans?
Though we are not accomplished musicians, but you all have been so kind to pardon our imperfections! Thank you again for grooming Varda Arts as you have made us what we are!
Thank you Allah for the attributes giving us more than what we deserve! After so many ‘Thank yous’, please look around for someone in need, help them, or with your kind words, and feel the joy of ‘Thanks’!
With kind regards from Iqbal Varda, Yunus Senior, Yunus Junior and Aziz Varda. Love you all!!VARDA ARTS COMPLETES 20 YEARS

VARDA ARTS 36 YEARS AND STILL ROCKING!

Our grandfather Haji Kassam Kara Varda in greeting posture with the founder of the nation Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere

Our grandfather Haji Kassam Kara Varda in greeting posture with the founder of the nation Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere

Our grandfather Haji Kassam Kara Varda greeting His Excellency the Governor of Tanganyka

Former President of Tanzania, Hon. Ali Hassan Mwinyi had a great sense of humor.. While presenting him our music album, he asked "Varda Arts Maridadi au Jamila?" We said, "Hakuna kama Mzee Ruksa!" The point to be noted here about his greatness is being a President, he humorously gave us a message with kind appreciation that he knew 'Varda Arts' and our songs 'Maridadi' & 'Jamila' !! When we told him "No one like Mzee Ruksa," it came out from the chore of our heart as we really meant it and was not just to please him.. I would like to share with you an incident about this great leader.. In the year 2009, our President delivered a perfect message when he preached peaceful coexistence between Muslims & Christians when a 26 year old rascal Ibrahim Said emerged from the congregation, walked up to the podium landing a slap on Mzee Mwinyi's flaccid cheek.. Our President pardoned him and did not arrest him portraying high command of tolerance.. To have such goodness and to be a good human being, there is always a price to pay.. The slap might be the cost of calmness, modesty and integrity.. Though all the religious scriptures of the world teach us tolerance, yet how many of us practically apply in our daily life? We become victim of our ego and we take revenge to satisfy ourselves against those who are identified as uncivilized ignoramus people of the Stone Age.. The Bible states : Mathew 5:38 or Luke 6:29.. "On his own part he (Jesus) was not merely slapped on the cheek..He was thrashed with sticks and all manner of straps before he was nailed on to the cross.. Yet, none of his torturers was arrested, as he expired, he asked God to forgive all.."
We pray to God to bless our country with a tolerant & humble President like Mzee Mwinyi in the forthcoming election!!

We never thought we would have a good fortune to sing for our former President of Tanzania, Al Hajj Ali Hassan Mwinyi to wish best wishes to him recently during his 90th Birth Day! We sang "Happy Birthday to You!" while the happiness the Mheshimiwa gave us will be treasured for a life time! A Birth Day gift presented to "Mzee Ruksa" by us was our five Swahili Music Albums as a true wish of happiness from the joy of deeds well done during his Presidency from 1985 to 1995..
In the pic is our brother Iqbal Varda & Yunus Senior..All this occurred during the African Rally Championship 2015 that took place at the Southern Sun Hotel.. on 12th and 14th June!

This was in Nairobi, Hilton Hotel, while Yunus was singing "Shirdi waale Sai Baba.." when a group of Muslim devotees of this pious Saint furiously got on the stage, fiercely snatched the mike and stopped us from singing! Their objection was, how dare we sinful musicians render divine Quawwali of revered Sai Baba! We realized the group had nothing to offer intellectually or spiritually but a headache! So, we decided to quit the show itself!
Organizers gathered and begged us to compromise as that group was their 'Sponsors' ad those in the audience had the power of money! The group suggested instead to sing "Pardah hai Pardah.." Quawwali from the same movie! When Yunus sang, the audience went wild, cheering, clapping, dancing, enjoying and showering tips! When we finished, the same group once again got on the stage, this time shouting "Once more! Once more!" with an irritating attitude not requesting but forcing us to sing it again!
Thus, I announced, "Janab, your sentiments were hurt when we sang 'Shirdi waale Sai Baba..' but your sentiments are not injured where a Muslim boy named Akber, vows 'Parda-nashin ko Be-parda na kardun to Akber mera naam nahin!' meaning, 'I will not call myself Akber (a Muslim) if I fail to unveil the veil (of a Muslim girl)' and you are shouting for more!
Naturally, the show came to close at this point! Though, we suffered the after effects but did not bargain our self-respect and have no regrets at all!
Later, the same organizers invited us again to Nairobi, hired Eagle Stars Apartments for a four months stay and we performed whole over Kenya! Interestingly, they requested us to take citizenship of Kenya!
Criticism can be a pleasant experience too!!

YUNUS VARDA BORN ON 5TH SEPTEMBER.

Growing together and sharing precious musical moments all these years has formed a special bond between Varda Brothers!We wish you a Happy Birthday dear brother Yunus Junior 🎂 We are lucky to have a multi-talented brother like you as an actor/singer/musician & so on!You are a true inspiration to us & many! Have a joyful day singing Yeh Jho Halka Halka Suroor Hai..🎶🎹 Paanke Kuroooo!

Interview of Varda Arts on Incredible Dar Magazine - Issue # 005

We got the copy of Incredible Dar & we are impressed by it's presentation of glossy pages.. printing..good design.. cover pic..Our special Thank You to young & talented writer & interviewer Sakina Nanabhai for her commendable job to cover 35 years long span highlights of varda arts by her 7 important questions that says it all about us .. found it very interesting & we are sure it's good stuff for readers too .. Congrats to you Sakina & the entire hardworking team of incredible dar.

Please kindly follow this link to read the interview of Varda Arts.

https://issuu.com/incredibledar/docs/incredible_dar_magazine_issue_005/

Happy Birthday Muhammad Iqbal Varda (born on 7th November)

It is our eldest brother Iqbal Varda's Birthday today. . He has given us hit songs like "Canada", "Hun India no Raja", "Jamila Wangu" and others. . He is best known for his Shairis, Bhangda and singing Moh'd Rafi songs. . At a tender age of seven his rustic robustness and lanza lung power amply revealed his vocal range when he won accolades at a 'Sangeet Mela' at Mnazi Moja grounds held during Eid-Festival.. Next to Dad, Brother, you are a guide, a trainer and a role model to us. .

Special message from Iqbal Varda.. "Remembering all my classmates and colleagues with whom I shared the stage to sing & play 'Tabla' for them, Taju, Rasik Pandya, Nizar & Party, Krishna & Party, Suresh Mehta, Shoky, Bipin Raichada, Chandu & Subhash tabalchi & not forgetting the late Shiraz Jaffer..

Remembering Mr. Nurmohamed Varda on his Birthday (2nd November) May your soul rest in peace & May Almighty Allah give you highest place in Jannah, Ameen.

This is the picture of Mr.Nurmohamed Varda,the father of Varda brothers.Varda Arts is their group. He actually was a classified singer who trained his sons,Iqbal Varda, Aziz Varda, and Yunus Varda.

Mr.Nurmohamed Varda motivated his sons to sing for the people of Tanzania. He used to say, "You sing these Swahili songs in private parties, but you should also sing for the nation.

Celebrating 35 years of Varda Arts! A news reporter asked me, "What is Varda Arts's achievement in these almost four decades?" I said, "To have survived for years in the music industry of a country where art is not valued much.." This made me share a few highlights with you all today.. Our crowning moment was to organize and perform with India's legendary play-back singer Mahendra Kapoor in the presence of the Great Dilip Kumar Saab, his actress wife Saira Banu, King of comedy Mehmood and others! Our magnificent victory was to have entertained India's World Cup Cricket team led by the dynamic Kapil Dev! Our greatest achievement was to have performed in the presence of the former Prime Minister of India, Hon. I.K Gujral, and the Hon. A.P.J Abdul Kalam during their individual visit to Tanzania! Our phenomenal success was to have been honored to entertain 2000 Members of Parliament in Dodoma! Our life time achievement is to have performed in the presence of the Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere, followed by the second, third, and fourth President of Tanzania and Hon. Salim Ahmed Salim, the former Sec. Gen. of O.A.U!
All praise belongs to God for this Grace as we celebrate 35 years of Varda Arts and for becoming a part of Tanzanian History to be politically considered as the "Bridge Builders" between Asian and African communities in Tanzania.. With love & Best Wishes to all!

Thank You!!

Varda Arts was officially registered in Tanzania on 23rd Aug 1980.. And so we are completing 35 Years together as a Band!