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    Lahore Music Meet - 4th Edition

    Written by: Momina Mindeel
    Posted on: January 10, 2018 | | 中文

    The crowd

    The acclaimed Lahore Music Meet’s fourth edition took place on the 6th and 7th of December, at Alhamra Arts and Cultural Complex, Lahore. Unlike the past two years, this time around, the festival featured more musical performances and fewer discussions. Besides, the addition of a few master classes on mandolin, guitar, violin and western percussion were welcomed by the huge numbers of aspiring musicians who attended the event. It was overwhelming to see art and music aficionados from all over the country gather at one place for the love of music.

    The first day featured a rather interesting mix of documentary screenings, master-classes, talks and outdoor performances. The day kicked off with a master class on Violin and Dastangoi by Javed Iqbal in Hall 2, while Hall 3 screened Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy’s ‘Song of Lahore’ followed by a question/answer session. The documentary was played again towards the end of the second day. Additionally, a Virtual Reality (VR) desk was set up adjacent to the art gallery that showed a series of virtual reality documentaries by Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy films.

    Mobeen Ansari's talk

    Mobeen Ansari's talk

    While Abid Brohi and Lyari Underground of Patari Tabeer’s fame performed in Hall 2, Hall 3 featured a heart-warming talk by the incredible Mobeen Ansari on ‘Capturing Moments in Music’ where he narrated his journey in music and photography. Ansari lost most of his hearing at a young age but the loss, in turn, gave him a keen observation, which led him to painting, photography and music. While answering a question from the audience, Ansari said that a life without music is one that he cannot, in fact, does not want to imagine. He discussed how his hearing aid for music only lets him listen to music and nothing else. He called it a blessing in disguise, which allows him to detach himself from the world and drown himself in creative pursuits. Ansari also reminisced about his time with Junaid Jamshed and Amir Zaki, and the audience could feel his emotional attachment to both.

    Asim Raza's talk

    Asim Raza's talk

    This was followed by a talk on lyrics and composition in contemporary Urdu music with Asim Raza. Raza explained how even though composition is one of the most important aspects of great music, lyrics encompass the soul of it. He used Elvis Presley’s Marguerita as an example; the song has been translated into Urdu and sung by some of the greatest names in the music industry. However, Raza explained that the reason its Urdu rendition was loved so much all over the sub-continent was because of its beautiful lyrics. He emphasized the importance of using appropriate lyrics to convey one’s thoughts. The first day concluded with spectacular performances by the band Sikandar ka Mandar and Akhtar Chanal. The whole hall danced on Akhtar Chanal’s danay pay dana, while the lead singer from Sikandar ka Mandar stole the show with his unmatched energy. The outdoor performances on the first day featured a number of bands, including some from the Pepsi’s Battle of Bands. These names included Sunny Khan Durrani, Sami Amiri, Fazal Jatt, Wisdom Salad, Roots and Mauj.

    Akhtar Chanal's performance

    Akhtar Chanal's performance

    The second day’s prominent theme was Dastangoi (story-telling) with the first two talks by Sanwal Esakhelvi and Ataullah Esa Khelvi presenting varying versions of it. The highlight of the day, however, was the powerful performance by Fareed Ayaz and co. Hall 1 was reserved for their performance, and was overflowing with music enthusiasts. All in all, this year’s music festival was a remarkable effort that not only brought aspiring as well as accomplished musicians together, but also set a strong base for the music scene in the country.

    Zulfikar Ali Zulfi in conversation with Attaullah Esakhelvi

    Zulfikar Ali Zulfi in conversation with Attaullah Esakhelvi


    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