The now famous song by the Bee Gees ‘Staying Alive’ ushered in the disco era. It was actually written in response to the desperation in the wake of the brutal economic and social breakdown of New York in the 1970s. With lyrics such as, “Feel the city breakin’ and everybody shakin’ and we are staying alive, staying alive!” the song was a social statement, a plea — “Somebody help me!”

It was composed for the iconic film Saturday Night Fever, itself carrying a dark message of survival, inspiring young men across the world to strut down the street in white suits. The message of the film was that giving up was not an option. Medical first responders are trained to use the song to get the rhythm of CPR to the 103 beats per minute, literally ensuring people stay alive.

The Karachi of today shares with the New York of the 70s a sense of the city unravelling. That mix of glamour and urban decay, a primarily working-class city facing economic desperation, crime and drugs. To Karachi, one can add ripped up roads, a limited supply of electricity and gas, and a dysfunctional city administration. Yet, like New Yorkers, the people of Karachi are resilient........

© Dawn (Magazines)