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    FACE Music Mela 2017: Promoting Diversity and Harmony through Music

    Written by: Mirza Salam Ahmed
    Posted on: April 24, 2017 |

    FACE Music Mela 2017 (photo by Mudassir Manzoor)

    Curtains fell as another year passed with the Foundation for Arts, Culture & Education hosting the 4th FACE Music Mela at the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) in Islamabad on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd of April.

    Having begun four years ago with an initiative of reigniting musical fanaticism with concerts and festivals throughout the country, the event has succeeded in reinvigorating the Pakistani music industry. Local artists have finally understood that they will need to abolish the archaic approach of depending solely on television in order to thrive. What the industry really needs is a streamlined and unbroken chain of live musical concerts and festivals to encourage consistent exposure and revenue for musicians, composers, writers, singers, recording engineers, managers, promoters, publishers, sponsors – the list goes on.

    Classical folk singer Mai Dhai performing live at the festival - FACE Music Mela 2017 at PNCA, Islamabad

    Classical folk singer Mai Dhai performing live at the festival

    Luckily, our nation has a plethora of musicians, young and old, with a natural flair for musical ingenuity. As of late, several new bands have been springing up in various cities to reignite the country’s passion for music and lay strong foundations for a rejuvenation of the music industry.

    To support this cause, the FACE Music Mela holds not just star-studded concerts, but also workshops with music teachers and leading artists promoting local music, folk and classical fusion, lectures and Q&A sessions with musical maestros, panel discussions with renowned members of the industry, as well as meetings with promoters, publishers, educationists and artists, along with booths where people can personally interact with the stars.

    A panel discussion on the future of the Pakistani music industry - FACE Music Mela 2017 at PNCA, Islamabad

    A panel discussion on the future of the Pakistani music industry

    The organizers did a thorough and exemplary job at orchestrating this year’s event, lining up a performer list so star-spangled that the event could well become the ‘Tomorrowland of Pakistan’.

    The opening night consisted of performances by BULBULIK, Ali Ashraf & The Crazy Vibes, The Canvas, Iqbal Baloch Electric Banjo, RAP Engineers, Rabia Ali, Adnan Jahangir, Dosti Project, Uzair Jaswal, Azal, Sain Tanveer Bros. Dhol, Call the Band and Ataullah Khan Esakhelvi.

    Zoha Zuberi started the Day 2 performances with style - FACE Music Mela 2017 at PNCA, Islamabad

    Zoha Zuberi started the Day 2 performances with style

    Day 2 kicked off with workshops and panel discussions on the History of Qawali with Imran Aziz Mian, the Future of the Pakistani Music Industry, Dance Workshop with Amna Mawaz, and Puriya Dhanashree with Imran Nafees and Aizaz Sohail. Soon afterwards, the stage was graced by hot-favorite musical artists including Zoha Zuberi, Pluto Republic, Sattar Jogi, Surge, Sikandar Ka Mandir, The Mothership, Sibti & the Retrosexual, Natasha Baig, Mai Dhai and Zeek Afridi.

    Dance workshop by Amna Mawaz - FACE Music Mela 2017 at PNCA, Islamabad

    Dance workshop by Amna Mawaz

    The last day was an EDM (Electronic Dance Music) special, featuring budding talent such as DJ Raj, DJ Farasat Anees, VIVID and DJ Shumraiz Awan featuring Ali Noor, Zeejah & Qawalistan.

    “This is an excellent attempt at giving aspiring musicians a platform not only to perform and promote their work, but also to engage with the fans and make music grow in our country,” said Ahmer Gul Khan, a singer from the popular RAP Engineers. And this in a nutshell summarizes the triumph of the event, something which was later reiterated by Uzair Jaswal as “success following success”.

    The legendary Attaullah Khan Esakhelvi on the stage (photo by Mudassir Manzoor) - FACE Music Mela 2017 at PNCA, Islamabad

    The legendary Attaullah Khan Esakhelvi on the stage (photo by Mudassir Manzoor)

    The FACE Music Mela 2017 was a bright, vibrant, colourful festival, with every moment electric, musical and full of energy. People flocked in huge numbers – not just from the twin cities, but from all over the country, and even abroad – to get together at this massive showdown of the top musical stars from across Pakistan. In essence, the festival became a celebration of diversity, culture and harmony through the one language that is understood by all – music.

     

    All images have been taken from the 'FACE Music Mela' Facebook page.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021