The music that comes out of Pakistan is just plain
wonderful. It is not the only country
about which this can be said but there is indeed something quite unique about
the musicians who are working out their salvation in Pakistan at the
moment. While their ship of state lists
in angry seas, tossed violently by economic stagnation, insecurity of life and
livelihoods, global chess games, obscurant fanaticism and social unrest,
Pakistani musical artists seem to exist in a sublime state of bliss. The music they are producing is truly
Spiritual in the sense that is offers a higher vision that is hope filled and
beautiful. In a time of chaos and
confusion the musicians of Pakistan are taking up the historical responsibility
of keeping their eyes on the prize of Truth.
Like the great poets of similar past eras, Ghalib and Zafar, (to
name just one pair), who produced their art in times of tremendous cultural and
political violence, it seems Pakistani musicians are mining the deepest vein of
whatever it is that holds their people together.
That it is music, not poetry, that is the medium doesn’t
make any difference. The inherent spirit that animates their art has the
identical capacity to heal and invigorate a callous society as much as the ghazals, masnavis and nazms of their artistic forbears.
Indeed, that it is music and not an ossified literary form is no accident. The
world has changed beyond common understanding, not the least in that it has
shrunk. Or at least we comprehend a smaller world these days. Influences in the form of technology, sounds
and sights come from not just the neighbourhood but across the globe. Time has
sped up and things never stay the same for very long. There is more urgency in
the ether.
Music is uniquely placed to both convey and counteract human
urgency. Because we need only put
ourselves in its presence for the magic to work music is able to untangle our
troubled souls by switching the focus from words (we live in epoch of
excessive words: advertising, political slogans, celebrity gossip, fanatic
babbling) to pure sound. The vibration of
music soothes us. In the next instant
the musical vibrations can be so driven and intense that we are compelled to
wake ourselves and take action and refocus.
The Coke Studio concept and format in Pakistan exemplifies
this ‘gorgeous space’ that music enjoys. Old artists have found new life and
new audiences by revamping their music in contemporary clothes. Newcomers have
made a place for themselves by digging up the roots and cooking them in a new
way. And without any shyness but rather, with supreme
confidence they have mixed in everything from bluegrass (Kikrkir Kirkir) to New Orleans funk and Hindu chants (Nar Bait).
This selection of music from Season 4 is probably the best
yet. Absolutely stunning music delivered
with humour, soul, vision and love by an amazing clique of contemporary Sufis
who have no option but to shine while their country shakes.
Track
Listing:
Volume 1
01 Senraan
Ra Baairya [Ashraf Hussain Samrat & Zoe Viccaji]
02 Ni Oothaan Wale [Attullah Khan
Esakhelvi]
03 Kangana [Fareed Ayaz & Abu
Muhammad]
04 Nindiya [Kaavish]
05 Kirkir Kirkir [Sajjad Ali]
06 Lamha [Bilal Khan]
07 Qurat ul Ain Balouch Panchi
[Jal]
08 Baageshri-Instrumental [Mole]
09 Ith Naheen [Sanam Marvi]
Track Listing:
Volume 2
10 Mundari
[Ustaad Naseer ud Din Saami]
11 Nar Bait [Akhtar Chanal Zahri]
12 Pyaar Naal [Attaullah Khan
Esakhelvi]
13 Lambi Judaai [Komal Rizvi]
14 Rang Laaga [Sajjad Ali Sanam
Marvi]
15 Mandh Waai [The-Sketches]
16 Beero Binjaaro [Asif Hussain Samraat]
17 Mori Bangri [Fareed Ayaz and
Abu Muhammad]
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