Taking forward the Coke Studio method

First season of ‘Alhamra Unplugged’ to feature likes of Sajjad Tafu and Justin Bibis

LAHORE:

The success of Coke Studio seems to have brought the Pakistani music industry back to life. Following its release, numerous music projects such as Nescafe Basement have sprung up across the country with hopes to foster local talent. And, unsurprisingly, they have done rather well for themselves. The latest to jump the bandwagon is Alhamra Arts Council, who are launching a similar venture under the name of Alhamra Unplugged.

In this connection, Alhamra has set up well-equipped recording studios and enlisted a variety of professional and amateur musicians from universities across the country. Abu Bakar Javaid will be serving as the project director for season one. The council has also engaged renowned Pakistani guitarist Sajjad Tafu with the project, who is already elbows deep in preparation for the sessions.

Youth has been the main priority throughout the selection of artists. “We interviewed around 500 students from different universities so none of the singers participating in our first session are older than 23,” he told The Express Tribune. “I have also selected some instrumentalists to add variety. The first season’s songs will comprise of a beautiful mix between eastern and western melodies, including Qawallis and ghazals.” Aside from spearheading the project, Javaid will be singing some of the songs himself.



The project will be Alhamra’s first show of this nature, with eight new in-house tracks coming out during March.

Javaid — who happens to be a UK-certified chartered accountant by profession — further explained his vision for the project and why he will be releasing it under government supervision. “Music has been my passion since childhood,” he said. “Not only do I hold a degree in music composition from Berklee College of Music, I can also play 20 different instruments, including the saarangi, surmundal and the guitar.”

Impressed by the work of Coke Studio, Javaid initiated the idea of conducting similar music sessions under the government to those at the top. “I met with Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif, and AlHamra Arts Council director, Captain (retd) Atta Muhammad Khan, both of whom liked the concept immediately. They have supported us wholeheartedly, from setting up the studios to the recording of the songs. Thanks to their efforts, the recording has been completed and we are now working on our videos,” he said.



Javaid is hopeful that people will appreciate the hard work put in by his team. “My team includes musicians like Mumtaz Tafu, Khalid Khan and members from Naqsh, the band,” he shared. “I am also giving a chance to Sania and Muqaddisa, the Justin Bieber sisters.  Renowned music director Tamim Dass is also helping us.” It might be a far shot but Javaid believes Alhamra Unplugged could even overtake Coke Studio someday. “There is no shortage of talent in our country. If we let go of our fears and hesitation, we can establish many more institutions like Coke Studio,” he added. “If we are able to locate, refine and polish young musicians, they will give their best to the field of music in return.”

Like Coke Studio, Alhamra Unplugged will be aired on private TV channels after completion.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4^th, 2016.

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