American artist performs at GCU concert

LAHORE

American ethnomusicologist and teaching artist Dr Amie (Amelia) Maciszewski performed at a concert organised by the United States Consulate and Quaid-e-Azam Political Science Society at the Government College University (GCU) on Thursday. 

According to a press release, Dr Amelia, who believes that music has no boundaries, began her sitar performance sitar of “Puriya Dhanashree Raga” (Melody), which she says is “Raga” of evening. 

Dr Amelia, PhD ethnomusicology from University of Texas, USA, has come to Pakistan after 40 years, and due to her deep interest in Sufism, she calls this visit a 'spiritual journey'. For her, spiritualism is something different from religion. She has a strong desire to visit the shrines of Hazrat Fariduddin Ganj Shakar, Hazrat Shah Hussain and other Sufi saints in Punjab. 

The ethnomusicologist, who had published many research papers on South Asian music culture, says that Sufism forms crux of her beliefs. “I believe Sufism has an eclectic nature and acceptability towards everybody irrespective of their religion, caste, gender or creed.” she said while talking to media after the concert. Talking to the American artist, the GCU vice-chancellor said there was a strong tradition of music and other performing arts at GCU, adding that they also grant admissions to students in different disciplines by virtue of their acting and music skills.