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    The Mystic Music Sufi Festival 2017

    Written by: Syed Hashir Ali
    Posted on: February 14, 2017 | | 中文

    Usman Peerzada, the moving spirit behind the festival (source: 'Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop' Facebook page)

    The Mystic Music Sufi Festival, the flagship event of the Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop, took Lahore on a musical journey last weekend. The two-day festival was held at the Alhamra Cultural Complex, Qaddafi Stadium, on the 11th and 12th of February. Numerous renowned artists from all corners of Pakistan including Mai Dhai, Pappu Sain, Suraiya Khanum, Sain Zahoor, Ali Sethi and Hadiqa Kiani gathered to celebrate the love and beauty of Sufi music and philosophy. The festival had been the talk of the town ever since the organizers unveiled the list of artists who were in the pipeline for the event. Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop has staged some of the best performances in the country, and had to meet its own historical benchmark.

    Mystic Music Sufi Festival 2017: Ali Sethi's live performance

    Ali Sethi's live performance

    The event kicked off on Saturday at a beautifully decorated mystical-themed stage. On the opening night, Ali Sethi, who has received immense praise and recognition for his soul-stirring vocals, performed live at the festival. Magical Ghazals and Qawwalis were also passionately sung by the Niazi Brothers, Mian Meeri Qawwal and Rizwan-Moazzam. With an almost occult sense of rhythm and repetition of the dhol beats, the duo of Mithu Saien and Gunga Saien put the crowd in a trance. Performances by Nighat Chaodhry, Krishan Lal Bheel, Chaand-Soorj, Bushra Marvi and Akhtar Chanal Zahri were particularly remarkable.

    Mystic Music Sufi Festival 2017: A thrilling performance by Krishan Lal Bheel

    A thrilling performance by Krishan Lal Bheel

    The second night began with the awe-inspiring dhol performances by Shaukat Dholia, which were soon followed by another dhol and raks (Sufi dance) performance by Pappu Sain. It was a unique, intoxicating experience for even those who had witnessed Pappu Sain’s magic at Shah Jamal. A more specific form of raks was beautifully performed by Wahab Shah, while Sain Zahoor rejoiced as he passionately sung poems of Bulleh Shah. The second night concluded with the mesmerizing singing of Hadiqa Kiani and Sanam Marvi.

    The arrangements made by the Rafi Peer Group were immaculate, with an elaborate stage set-up and lights that changed color according to the rhythm of the music. The full moon shone brightly down on the open theater and added to the aesthetic appeal of the wonderfully decorated stage. The setting of the stage between performances took place with remarkable efficiency and without any delays, which would have marred the atmosphere created by the preceding performers. Food and tea were available for purchase, as were snacks and drinks; a credit to the roaming vendors.

    Mystic Music Sufi Festival 2017: The festival drew an enormous crowd

    The festival drew an enormous crowd

    A noteworthy element was the diversity of the artists and performers on both days. The presence of Mai Dhai from Tharparkar, Krishan Lal Bheel from Cholistan, Bazm-e-Liqa from Gilgit, Hunza and Chitral, and other artists from all corners of Pakistan, proved that the powerful medium of traditional Sufi music can act as a unifying force for the entire country. Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop has intended to convey a similar message of unity and peace since the inception of the Mystic Music Sufi Festival back in the year 2000. In addition to providing quality entertainment, it has a deeper implicit message about universal harmony and the exploration of one’s self while cherishing the love for mankind and the Supreme Being.

    The lives of the great Sufi legends convey how we can break the shackles of our biases and transcend sectarian, linguistic, racial and even religious differences. The power of such a message could be seen at Alhamra’s jam-packed amphitheater, where spectators from all walks of life having little in common except the love for Sufism, danced and chanted in remarkable sync. More frequent occurrence of such events would not only bring us closer as a community, but would also help build a better image of Pakistan.

     

    All images have been taken from the 'Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop' 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.

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    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