interesting article..
i wish i was in Lahore
http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/frown.gif
World music festival transcends barriers in Lahore
Music transcends all barriers as famous international rock groups, folk musicians and classical singers assemble in the historic city of Lahore this month at the Second Sufi Soul International Music Festival
The ten-day long festival begins Saturday, with the internationally renowned Gipsy Kings, whose music is popularly described as an exotic combination of “rumba flamenca” and who topped music charts with their rhythmic ‘Bamboleo’
Also participating in the festival, organized by Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop, are Indian pop singer Lucky Ali, British trailblazer Stereo Nation, the Pakistani Sufi rock band Junoon along with a host of classical, folk and rock musicians from around the globe.
On the night before the festival begins, the mood was electric at the awesome Al Hamra’s open-air venue. “Nose down and cover it with a blue cellophane,” Faizan Peerzada instructs a worker atop a ladder fixing lights. “Pakistan’s existing music scenario enjoys a strong Sufi influence and soul music represents world music,” he continues almost in the same breath.
The venue for the event wears a festive look, as vibrantly hued streamers, flags, posters shine in a brightly-lit environment. According to Faizan, fusion is the latest trend to hit the world.
“It is happening in almost all arenas of arts. The shrinking world is probably the reason behind this phenomenon,” he says.
The Rafi Peer family, mainly comprising the talented Peerzada brothers, enjoys the status of national pioneers of the performing arts festivals of international caliber.
The First Puppet Festival in 1992 made people of Lahore sit up and take notice of an unprecedented cultural activity in their city. With five Puppet, four Theatre, two Dance and Theatre, two Music festivals, a Puppet Museum and nine years later, the Peerzadas have managed to turn the Puppet Festival into the largest in the world.
“In less than a decade, we have managed to organize 12 grand international festivals and lure 2,600 performers from around the world to this stage,” says Saadan Peerzada pointing to the stage of Al Hamra.
The Peerzada clan feel that there is a great potential in music that remains untapped. Music transcends all barriers-of language, culture, and boundaries. Hence, it caters to a larger audience than any other genre of performing arts.
“With the Rafi Peer Festival platform, we can bring about a change by bringing world music producers and artists together to interact and exchange ideas,” says Faizan.
The Peerzada brothers proudly cite the Sufi Moon Project as a shining example that was born as a result of the First Music Festival in 2000. Jean-Jacques Pedretti and Robert Morgenthaler met Waris Ali Balu Khan and Sher Miandad Khan during a musical experience at the Sufi Soul World Music Festival in Lahore in March 2000. They were asked to blend the two genres in a magical musical. This was to be the first of several musical experiences, which resulted in promises to meet again for more projects.
After this inspiring experience, the group Traces, which includes Anna Grichting, Robert Morgenthaler and Jean-Jacques Pedretti, have conceived a project entitled “Sufi Moon” where they invited the two musicians from Lahore, Waris Ali Balu Khan and Sher Miandad Khan. This project is centered around the theme of the moon and its multiple facets and expressions.
This year, the spectrum has been expanded with performers and musicians, representing musical influences from Switzerland, Italy, Denmark, Gambia, the UK, India, Austria and Iran.
Pakistan’s most famed singers and musicians Abida Parveen, Hamid Ali Khan, Arif Lohar will be representing the country’s folk music heritage, adding their touch to make the festival rich in local tradition.
Nina Corti from Switzerland will be performing the flamenco with the Gipsy Kings. Flamenco is the energy of vibrations, which find their creativity in an statement of music and movement. The ultimate unique statement of grace, sensuality and fluidity, the flamenco is a delight for all beholders. This year’s festival also features The Wake Keeping from Switzerland, Era O Sia Ensemble from Italy, Sepideh from Iran, Attwengeer from Austria and Basiru Suso who brings a taste of fusion music from Denmark and Gambia.
From India, classical singer Savita Devi, sarangi player Kamal Sabri and Parvaz will enthrall all classicists.
Savita Devi hails from a well-known family of the Banaras. The daughter of the legendary Thumri Queen Padam Shree Siddaheshwari Devi, Savita has not only inherited a rich tradition of classical music but is a vocalist of rare artistry in her own right. Although she has a rich variety of music to offer to her audiences, Savita is a purist. Her Thumri does not overflow into her Khayal or vice versa.
Kamal Sabri belongs to a distinguished family of traditional musicians. Being a seventh generation member of a Sarangi playing family, he continues to further the art. He has trained under his renowned father Padamashree Ustad Sabri Khan in the style of the Sainia Gharana (school) of Rampur - Mordabad. At a young age he has set a mark on the international cultural scene both as a soloist and providing decorative Sarangi accompaniment to vocal music.
With a unique repertoire of songs consisting mainly of Punjabi Sufi verses and popular love-legends, most of which were written between the 16th and the 19th century, Parvaaz’s music hovers between the folk tradition and jazz.
The Gipsy Kings, Lucky Ali, Stereo Nation and Junoon are likely to draw the largest crowds. While Lucky Ali enjoys a massive fan following owing to his lilting tunes and velvety voice, Stereo Nation are sure to send the crowds into a dance-frenzy with their energetic Punjabi bhangra beats and catchy tunes. Music lovers in Lahore cannot wait to swing to Stereo Nation’s ‘Carol’ and ‘Nachan Gi Sari Raat’
Junoon, Pakistan’s eclectic contribution to the world music scene will find fans eagerly waiting to hear their first live performance after their new album ‘Ishq’ premiered last week in Karachi.
“We have to look into the financial aspect to sustain pure arts. We are thinking in terms of still bigger musicians for the festivals to come. And only a commercially viable project can achieve that,” says Faizaan explaining the presence of pop musicians Stereo Nation and Lucky Ali in the line up.
“It increases public interest and serves as a great sponsorship vehicle for the festival. In fact, inclusion of pop artists pays for the rest,” says Faizaan.
The Peerzadas are very confident about their work. “We want to make the Sufi Soul World Music Festival one of the largest music festivals in the world. And we hope to achieve our target in the next 10 years.”
Much before that Lahore is destined to see Santana perform. Perhaps, in 2002!
Sure.Fine.Whatever.