Hadiqa Kiani, one of music’s most accomplished names, is sending out a very strong message with her most recent musical project, the juggernaut that is Wajd.
Showcasing the rich traditions and beautiful diversity of Pakistani culture, Wajd is impressive in more ways than one.
Hadiqa Kiani, one of music’s most accomplished names, is sending out a very strong message with her most recent musical project, the juggernaut that is Wajd.
Having sung everything from pop ballads to English-language songs to television drama OSTs, film soundtracks and patriotic anthems over a career that spans decades, Wajd is in many ways, the natural progression for Kiani. She is not only presenting transcendental music but is also reminding us to take ownership of the rich traditions and beautiful diversity that is the true treasure of this land.
The first song (or chapter) from Wajd, ‘Kamlee Da Dhola’ was sung in Sairaki and Kiani described it as a folk song she was in love with as a child. The second release from the album, ‘Bhit Ja Bhitai’ was sung in Sindhi and was described by the singer as a heartfelt tribute to Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai.
In the recently released third single, Hadiqa Kiani sings the iconic ‘Aaj Rung Hai’ that is sung in Braj Bhasha language and originally written by Hazrat Amir Khusro.
Revealing more about the language, a press statement that announced the third release from the singer noted, “Braj Bhasha is a language which gained literary acceptance after the Mughal emperor Akbar accepted it as one of the royal court’s languages. It was then used in literature especially to compose poems. This language is mostly written from a woman’s point of view even if a male poet writes it.”
Though Kiani has sung different versions of the same twice before including once at Coke Studio, it is this latest rendition that is the most powerful of the lot.
Apart from Kiani, this particular single also features Ustad Dildar Hussain, a veteran musician who accompanied Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan on tabla for 28 years. “I am honoured that Ustad Dildar Sahab accepted my request and accompanied me in Chapter 3 of Wajd. It was a pleasure to record and rehearse with him live.” said Hadiqa Kiani in a press statement.
The video for ‘Aaj Rung Hai’ is directed by Abdullah Harris while the song, released in collaboration with a clothing brand, also features Israr Hussain and Irfan Kiani (who is also the producer).
Wajd is a record that contains Kiani, alongside a group of equally gifted and hardworking musicians, as they embrace the unknown. An exploration of languages, stories and folklore, it remains a captivating effort because of the methodical approach behind its release. It is an honest sonic universe of poetry and verses that have the power to move through time without losing value.
Much like how Zohaib Kazi is releasing songs as singles from Fanoos one after the other in a bid to ensure that all songs register and get equal space, Kiani too is following a similar game-plan.
In the end, the traditional kalaams and the words of saints (that we have tuned out to make room for idiocy) continue to possess healing, redemptive powers and a project like Wajd simply reaffirms this belief.
