Qawwali programme: Lok Virsa pays tribute to Bakhshi Salamat

Turban passes to late qawwal’s 11-year-old disciple and grandson Hasnain

ISLAMABAD: Art lives on, even after artists die, because the hat, or in this case, turban, passes on to the next generation.

Uxi Mufti, a known cultural critic, made this reference on Thursday while paying tribute to the late qawwal Bakhshi Javed Salamat at Lok Virsa.

Salamat, an internationally known Pakistani qawwal, was among the pioneers who achieved immense fame in England and other countries. He died on March 10. The turban was passed to his 11-year-old grandson, Hasnain Javed Salamat.

The six Salamat brothers and several nephews were part of the qawwali group that performed at Lok Virsa.

Hasnain, who had learned the classical tabla and considered to be the most deserving disciple, also performed with the Salamat brothers and lifted the roof with his powerful blend of vocals and tabla.

Mufti said that qawwali is a musical tradition which evolved from the Delhi’s sufi saint Amir Khusro.

While explaining qawwali music, he also quoted Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan who once said, “This world is not eternal. I don’t bother about the temporariness in which I am placed. And I am not bothered of its impermanence, because what I sing is forever.”

The event commenced with a documentary which displayed the family tree and the passing over of the music from generation to generation in Bakshi’s family.

People from local shrines also joined the event. The musicians created a moment that transfixed the audience. The music was transcending religious spirituality with metaphorical lyrics inducing a state of ecstasy among the audience.

“Music creates fusion and connects us to the people of the world. People from all around the world are represented by art and culture,” Yousuf Salahuddin, a cultural icon of Pakistan, said.

He also added that art and culture portray a very positive image of Pakistan in the West.

Nadeem Salamat, the lead band vocalist, while talking to The Express Tribune said “qawwali is the tradition of the South Asian music and it is necessary for the young musicians of Pakistan who are pursuing qawwali to have in-depth knowledge of its synchronising lyrics and rhythms and it cannot be achieved without a mentor (ustaad).”

Lok Virsa Executive Director Fauzia Saeed said, “artists never depart, they contribute to the world with love and harmony.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 10^th, 2016.