It’s heartening to see artists and musicians speaking up and becoming more involved in Pakistan’s political scenario because artists have the loudest voices and it is necessary for them to impart wisdom with the responsibility and power they hold in their hands.
It’s heartening to see artists and musicians speaking up and becoming more involved in Pakistan’s political scenario because artists have the loudest voices and it is necessary for them to impart wisdom with the responsibility and power they hold in their hands.
Dancer Sheema Kirmani was the first person to head to Sehwan Sharif after the deadly bomb blast that claimed over 70 lives. Atiya Khan then followed suit and participated in the dhamaal that takes place every day at the shrine. This weekend, Ali Gul Pir and Sounds of Kolachi (SOK) made their presence felt in Sehwan, being the first contemporary band to ever perform inside the gates of the mazaar.
The gig, which was organized by Pir, featured musicians Aziz Kazi, percussionist for Coke Studio, Gul Mohammad, sarangi player for SOK and Ahsan Bari, frontman for SOK. The musicians were joined by other musicians of the mazaar and performed sufi songs in remembrance of sufi mystic Lal Shahbaz Qalandar.
“I’m really happy that all these musicians came out. Some of them had never been to Qalandar before,” shared Pir after the performance.
He added: “The most beautiful part of the whole experience was the acceptance we got from the people there. They embraced us as if there were no differences between us and that is the power of belief.”
