Daniel Pearl World Music Day: Message of harmony resonates at Lok Virsa

Artists lament ‘dying art’ at <br /> musical concert.

ISLAMABAD: A fusion concert attracted a massive crowd at the Lok Virsa museum on Saturday evening. The pleasant weather and a diverse lineup of both traditional and modern musicians worked like a charm as the audience sat on carpets and cushions or filled up the steps of the amphitheatre in a laidback ambience.

Titled “Tradition of Peace Through Music” the concert featured four musical groups representing unique musical traditions and genres. From sufi qawali, cultural folk and bhangra to rock and pop music, the event entertained various age groups, including children who were seen dancing or air-guitaring to the beats.

The finale featured a mixed performance by all the musicians on stage. PHOTOS: HUMA CHOUDHARY/EXPRESS

Commemorating the 13th Daniel Pearl World Music Day, the concert paid homage to the slain American journalist Daniel Pearl, and was part of a series of international network of concerts that uses the power of music to reaffirm a global commitment to tolerance and humanity.

“Tonight’s performance is about celebrating music, promoting tolerance, and inspiring respect for others. The day not only celebrates harmony for humanity but also lauds the power of music to transcend our boundaries,” said the US Embassy Assistant Cultural Attache James Cerven. He said Pakistan has its musical legacy to share with the world.

The Folklore Society of Pakistan Director Yasser Nomann said the musicians were selected for their acumen over their art and each of them displayed different types of pieces inspired by Sufi and folk music.

“The tradition is dying in Pakistan. Ustaad Allahlokh is the last pakhawaj player. Each of the performers has received awards and recognition for their talent but many of our classical instruments are fading away,” he added.

Hosted by Farah Saadia, the event featured Muhammad Azam Bakshi, the Matra percussion ensemble, Qurban Niazi ensemble which is also known as the Minstrels of Punjab and Uzair Jaswal.

While introducing the musicians, Saadia said Matra is a Sanskrit word that literally means ‘beat’ in English. Their sound portrays the use of percussion in different ways of classical music in the Indian subcontinent.

Azam, a descendant of Ustaad Bakshi Salamat, opened the show with Sultan Bahoo’s Allah Hu before progressing into Amir Hazrat Khusrau’s Mun kunto maula in an uplifting transition of Sufi-inspired melody.

Niazi engaged the audience with his uplifting Layee beqadran naal yaari punctuated by powerful bhangra moves and animated expression.

During an interactive session, Matra presented the history of the country’s most distinctive percussive instruments, including the tabla, naqqara and pakhawaj. Ustad Ajmal Khan, demonstrated the subtle variations in the individual sounds of the instruments through the “teen taal” (three-beat cycle) technique.

Jaswal kicked off with an electrifying performance of his popular song “Bole” before transitioning into other tracks such as the rock-inspired Aj kala jora pa, the Coke Studio hit Nindiya ke paar and Meri rooh.

His brother, Umair Jaswal of Qayaas band, and Farooq Shah of Irtaash band, joined him for a jam session. They also performed a cover of ‘Summer of ‘69’ through glitches in the sound system and an echo of instruments overpowering their vocals. The finale featured a mixed performance by all the musicians on stage.

Aliya Khan, an audience member, said she was glad to be unwinding with live music on the weekend. “I also feel that such performances are a shift from the run-of-the-mill concerts one attends at the usual venues of the city,” she added.

The event was organised by the Folklore Society of Pakistan, in collaboration with the US Embassy.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 13^th, 2014.