Pakistani music

The universal language of music

Music dossier: Tuning in to the unfamiliar

An independent, modern music scene has long since developed in the Islamic world and Europe. Breaking with convention, it is a far cry from belly dance and folklore cliches. In this dossier, we present some of its leading protagonists, genres and events
Music: Universal Echoes by Kuné

An impactful message from Canada's Global Orchestra

The musicians in the Canadian music ensemble Kuné come from a diverse array of traditions and cultures. On their new album, they share their concern for our planet's future in a collection of glorious tracks. By Richard Marcus
Showcasing music from Pakistan

Back to the roots

Mekaal Hasan may not be a household name in Europe or North America, but he is a star in Pakistan. When COVID-19 struck, he and his Sufi rock band were forced to change their production approach. For "Rivayat", Hasan tracked down traditional singers and musicians from beyond Lahore. Richard Marcus had a listen
God's love for all

Sufism is not just Muslim

Sufism has fluid boundaries. Just like Islam, Sufism is inconceivable without its late antique roots. Then again, it has also exerted an influence on Hinduism. Moreover, the Sufic doctrine of divine love exists independently of Islam. By Stefan Weidner
Islam in Pakistan

The land of the Sufis

No country in the Islamic world is influenced as strongly by the traditions of Sufi culture as Pakistan. Yet the Sufis there have been under attack from Islamic hardliners for years. By Marian Brehmer
Arooj Aftab's "Vulture Prince"

Coping with pain in Urdu

The first musician with Pakistani roots to win a Grammy, Arooj Aftab has been recognised for her third album Vulture Prince – a meditative, moving song cycle in which she captures loss and pain using poetry in Urdu and guest collaborators from all over the world. By Stefan Franzen
Behind the veil

The double life of Pakistan rapper Eva B

Pakistan's breakthrough rapper Eva B has racked up millions of views online, but walking through the labyrinthine streets of her Karachi neighbourhood, she is anonymous. Her hair covered with a hijab and a veil falling below her eyes, she evades the attention of fans and detractors
Theatre in Pakistan

"I just want to dance"

Young performers in Lahore are shaping their lives outside the perceptions of Pakistani society, which views many art forms as obscene. As part of a new generation that hopes to change the country, they find themselves taking on conservative mullahs, censorship bodies and sometimes even their own families. By Karin A. Wenger with photos by Philipp Breu
Sufi musik: Qawwali ensemble "Fanna-fi-Allah"

Searching for God's love

Fanna-fi-Allah is the West's most renowned Qawwali ensemble. It stands out not only for its strong stage presence, but also for its commitment to preserving the centuries-old tradition. By Marian Brehmer
Sufi music under attack in Pakistan

As the sea of love recedes

In parts of modern Pakistan, being a qawwali musician is now a high-risk occupation. By intimidating those who play, listen or even dance to this devotional music, puritan hardliners in Pakistan are insulting and violating an indigenous culture that for centuries has celebrated love both earthly and divine, says Jurgen Wasim Frembgen
Album review: The Dosti Music Project′s ″Travelers″

Coming home

For two years, 2015 and 2016, The Dosti Music Project brought together musicians from India, Pakistan and the United States in order to explore the similarities and differences in their respective art forms. This compilation stands as testament to their remarkable creative energy. By Richard Marcus
Sufis targeted in Pakistan

The dance goes on

The attack on the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in the Pakistani city of Sehwan struck the country's mystics at the heart of their religious practice. Like no other holy site in Pakistan, the shrine is a symbol of the religious pluralism that is deeply rooted in this nation. By Marian Brehmer