There are various factors that attract the viewers initially to a drama and OSTs are one of them. All the leading production houses use these OSTs to attract viewers while promoting their dramas before they actually go on air. They try to rope in the best musicians, lyricists, and singers for the purpose. Sometimes, these OSTs become so popular that even those people, who do not follow Pakistani dramas, listen to them and become familiar with the dramas in this manner. Also, these OSTs are written and composed keeping in mind the main theme of the storylines being shown in the dramas. Therefore, very often they are used as a background score which makes the viewers connect to different situations even more. A lot of thought and hard work goes into these OSTs therefore it is really important to appreciate all those individuals who used their creative potentials behind the scenes to create these masterpieces. Some of the best OSTs in the past and the present have been written by drama writers which is why the lyrics are always the most attractive element of these OSTs.
Here is a list of the best OSTs of Pakistani dramas 2021:
Parizaad
Vocals: Asrar
Composer: Waqar Ali
Lyricist: Hashim Nadeem Khan
Parizaad is a meaningful drama with so many different dimensions to it. The OST of the drama does complete justice to the main protagonist because the lyrics describe different aspects of his personality impeccably. The fact that the writer of the drama has penned down the lyrics definitely makes a huge difference. Also, since the piano is an important part of Parizaad’s journey, the composer Waqar Ali has used the piano notes to reflect different kinds of emotions in this OST. The lyrics talk about dreams, heartbreak and even looking for acceptance. Overall, this OST has a haunting effect which is also true for the drama which captivates you. Most of the people were more interested in watching the drama when they heard the OST since it had a different feel to it. It is definitely one of the best this year.
Raqeeb Se
Vocals: Hadiqa Kiani
Composer: Ustad Baqir Abbas/ Hadiqa Kiani
Lyricist: Khawar Kiani
Raqeeb Se was another unconventional drama serial this year that kept the viewers engaged right till the end. This drama also had an OST which grabbed the attention of even those viewers who were not watching it. We are pretty sure that this OST was so soulful and powerful because it was sung by Hadiqa Kiani who also played one of the central characters in the story. Apart from her melodious voice, the lyrics were also beautifully penned down. These lyrics were written by Hadiqa Kiani’s mother who happens to be the one who is behind some of the best songs sung by the singer. The lyrics of the OST centered around the role played by Sania Saeed’s character more than any other aspect of the drama which is another reason why the viewers connected to it on a different level.
Raqs-e-Bismil
Vocals: Vicky Akbar
Composer: Riaz Ali Khan/Hassan Ali
Lyricist: Farhat Abbas Shah
Raqs-e-Bismil was a powerful drama with many emotional twists and turns in the story. The main theme of the drama was undying love and the pain it can cause if you are not destined to be with the one you love. Therefore, the OST also revolved around a lover’s yearning to meet his beloved. It is the kind of romantic OST that resonated with many. Vicky Akbar’s soulful voice added the impact that was needed to make it even more powerful. This OST was in Punjabi which we believe is another reason why it was so impactful. The composition also added more appeal and life to this OST. It was one of our favorites this year. We are glad that the director Wajahat Rauf used the OST effectively throughout without overusing it.
Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi
Vocals: Roshaneh Zafar
Composer: Sami Khan
Lyricist: Sami Khan
Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi was the kind of drama that made the viewers reflect upon different injustices in society. It also gave hope by showing how the hopes and aspirations of the characters materialized in the end. Since the drama was mostly about chasing dreams and not giving up, the OST was also about just that. It was a beautifully penned-down OST with a catchy composition. It gave hope and was inspirational just as was the journey of most of the characters. Sami Khan yet again proved himself as a talented musician who composed and wrote this OST perfectly to match the storyline of Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi.
Safar Tamam Hua
Vocals: Abbas Ali Khan
Composer: Abbas Ali Khan
Lyricist: Sabir Zafar
Safar Tamam Hua was an entertaining drama that showed the journeys of its characters from a time when all of them were naïve. It was also about relationships and how you learn to value them with time. The OST of the drama was soothing and melodious. It was short and the lyrics were not too detailed but Abbas Ali Khan’s music and composition made all the difference. Since the title of the drama and even the script kept the viewers guessing about the actual intent or purpose till the end, the OST was also not too ‘revealing’ in terms of the plot. It is the kind of OST that is perfect to listen on repeat.
Aakhir Kab Tak
Vocals: Alycia Dias & Ali Tariq
Composer: Syed Adeel Ali
Lyricist: S.K Khalish
Aakhir Kab Tak is another iconic drama of 2021 with the most meaningful and entertaining script. The OST of the drama might be difficult to understand for those who are not watching the drama since it has been written keeping in mind the challenges faced by Fajr’s character. The latter part of the OST highlights those positive male characters that come into Noor and Fajar’s lives and turn things around. It has a haunting feel to it and the composition changes as the lyrics change.
Pardes
Vocals: Amanat Ali & Sithi Saha
Composer: Naveed Nashad
Lyricist: Qamar Nashad
Pardes was one of those few drama serials this year which touched upon a different topic altogether. It shows the trials of all those people who go abroad to work and how their families suffer. The OST of the drama was composed and sung so well that people connected to its meaning on a completely different level.
Azmaish
Singer: Rizwan Anwar and Nimra Mehra
Composer & Lyricist: Rizwan Anwar
The OST of Azmaish was not only beautifully composed but perfectly worded too. It had to describe Basit’s life and his unrequited, one-sided love for Nimra, while also touching the subject of how he yearned to be with her. Rizwan Anwar definitely understood the theme and the requirement of the story, which is why he came up with the most befitting OST for the drama serial Azmaish. It was easy on the ears and the beautiful vocals of Rizwan Anwar and Nimra Mehra brought soulfulness to it. The melody and the music were beautiful too, making it one of the best OSTs of this year.
Fitoor
Singer: Shani Arshad & Aima Baig
Composer: Shani Arshad
Lyricist: Sabir Zafar
It won’t be wrong to say that the first impression of the drama serial Fitoor was created by the OST that echoed in the teasers when the drama was about to air on the channel. It was the kind of OST that had that charm that immediately attracts the audience and makes you want to listen to it again and again. The lyrics of this OST were meaningful too which depicted the suffering the love has caused to both Dilnasheen and Haider. No wonder why the OST became a major part of the drama and so many dream sequences were shot with this song echoing in the background, adding more meaning to the situations. Shani Arshad and Aima Baig have sung this song beautifully.
Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay
Singer: Yashal Shahid
Composer: Azaan Sami Khan
Lyricist: Sabir Zafar
Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay’s OST became a top favorite in no time. Composer Azaan Sami Khan deserves full credit for coming up with such a unique melody and adding all those intricacies through the sound effects which really elevate the experience of listening to this song. Yashal Shahid has become an overnight sensation because of Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay’s OST. The best part is that Azaan Sami Khan put Yashal Shahid’s vocals to good use and extracted the kind of emotion that was required for this OST. The melodious voice along with soulful music make this OST one of the best that we have come across. This particular OST got the attention of a lot of celebrities too and they were seen praising it rightfully.
Laapata
Singer: Kiran Waseem and Tehseen W. Chishty
Composer: Farhan Zameer
Lyricist: Wardah Lodhi
The OST of Laapata can be termed as quirky and fun. The OST doesn’t really give much away about the story or the theme of the drama but still fits it perfectly. The genre of Laapata was not truly classified until Falak meets Daniyal, therefore keeping in mind the initial episodes of the drama, this fun and peppy song talking about the love between two individuals fits Falak and Shams’ story perfectly. Both the singers Kiran and Tehseen have unique and clean voices and they have sung it beautifully.
Laapata
Singer: Ali Alvi
Composer & Lyricist: Ali Alvi
Although this particular song was not used as the OST of Laapata but became a major part of some of the episodes because of the way it was used during those slow-motion scenes which kept the audience engaged. Ali Alvi must be extremely proud of this song that he came up with because it has a very calm and soothing vibe to it. Another such song is perfect for long drives.
Shehnai
Singers: Asim Azhar and Nehal Naseem
Composer & Lyricist: Qasim Azhar and Hassan Ali
Shehnai’s OST was just like the drama itself – fun, festive, and happening. The story of the drama serial Shehnai was all about Bakht and Meerab’s wedding covering all the mishaps that unfolded during the course of it. No wonder why the composers and lyricists came up with such an OST that covered the festivities of a wedding perfectly. The way it was shot was another masterstroke because it introduced the drama to the audience in such an intelligent manner. The moment you listen to this OST and watch its video, you get the gist of what this show is all about – an intelligent piece of work.
Pehli Si Mohabbat
Singer: Ali Zafar
Composer & Lyricist: Ali Zafar
Ali Zafar deserves all the credit for this soulful OST of Pehli Si Mohabbat. The drama itself had a lot going for it in terms of stellar cast and a strong team of drama-makers, therefore Ali Zafar had to give his best shot and come up with such an OST that not only did justice to it but also added more value to the entire drama-watching experience. This is the reason when every time this OST was echoed in the background, it added more meaning to it. Ali Zafar came up with befitting lyrics to describe the theme of the story and sang is with all his heart and soul, making it one of the best OSTs of this year.
Kasa e Dil
Singer: Hadiqa Kiyani and Sahir Ali Bagga
Composer & Lyricist: Sahir Ali Bagga
Sahir Ali Bagga has definitely been on a winning streak when it comes to OST. With each passing year, he gets to add another feather in his cap with one beautiful OST after another. This year, although the drama Kasa e Dil didn’t turn out to be a super-hit serial, the OST of it was definitely unforgettable. To add Hadiqa Kiyani’s beautiful voice was a masterstroke by Sahir Ali Bagga and they both created something extremely special when they sang it together. The lyrics, the music, and the melodious voices of the singers made it one of the best OSTs of 2021.
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Which OSTs from 2021 Pakistani dramas were your favorite? Share your views.