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Rumi fans, there's a music fest about to happen that you wouldn't want to miss

Rumi fans, there's a music fest about to happen that you wouldn't want to miss

Artists from Iran and Russia have been invited to be a part of the Rumi World Music Festival.
Updated 23 Feb, 2017

Calling all Rumi fans, you're in for a treat.

If you haven't already heard, Indus Valley Art School is holding a Rumi World Music Festival in Karachi to bring together musicians inspired by the great poet under one roof.

Rasheed Noorani, director CEP of IVS, explains what prompted the idea behind the festival: "In 2008, after UNESCO declared the year as the year of Rumi, the greatest spiritual poet in the world, every country has celebrated Rumi in some way or the other, a festival or event of some sort.

"It has happened in more than 42 countries. I remember the last time I was in Scotland, they were having a three-day Sufi conference inspired by the great saint. We don't have anything like that and I felt it's about time we have something like this," says the CEP.

He adds, "We have the KLF for a literature festival but we don't have anything for a music festival, a proper world music festival so to speak."

He expands that poets and Sufis who came after Rumi were inspired by him as "he represents the ultimate in Sufi poetry," hence a festival honouring him is much needed.

The festival aims to bring foreign artists to participate in the music fest as well. "We are doing some things differently. We're paying attention to the 'World' in Rumi World Music Festival and that's why we have many bands coming from abroad."

The line-up consists of quite a few unique bands.

"One of the bands is a throat singing band and I am excited for that because this is the first time a throat singing band is performing in Pakistan. Their name is Huun-Huur-Tu and they're coming from an area that is between Mongolia and Russia, a place called Tuva. Tuva has its own tradition of throat singing that is very famous in the world.

Huun-Huur-Tu throat singing band.
Huun-Huur-Tu throat singing band.

"They are shamans," he explains. "And throat singing was something shamans would learn to ward bad spirits, so its very ritualistic and spiritual, and that goes with the theme of our festival."

Mai Dhai is one of the performers at the music fest.
Mai Dhai is one of the performers at the music fest.

"We also have an Iranian band which will play classical instruments and recite the poetry of Rumi in Persian. We have other bands like Chand Tara, which will prepare a new score for the festival. Fuzon, Mai Dhai, Jamshed Sabri group, Fakir Juman Shah and so on."

Fakir Juman Shah will also be performing at the event.
Fakir Juman Shah will also be performing at the event.

For those interested in arts and crafts, there will be a craft bazaar where items related to the fest will be on display. There might be a few academic sessions too, but that's not sure as yet.

The festival will take place on March 10, 11 and 12. Tickets for the event are for Rs1500.

Comments

SKZ Feb 23, 2017 01:58pm
Tickets for the event are for Rs1500 and than Talking about KLF like Festival ?? If thats what Organizers are aiming for - go for Long Term Corporate Sponsorship.
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Saad(DXB) Feb 23, 2017 02:34pm
@SKZ There are international musicians coming to this festival and there is boarding and lodgement cost involved, not to mention their fee. Rs. 1,500 is around US$ 14.50/- which is next to nothing. I recently bought two concert tickets in Dubai, costing US$ 85 and US$ 105> Pakistan is blessed to have such a wonderful event at such a low price. You will end up spending Rs. 1,500 if you go to any Pizza Hut outlet in Pakistan, alone.
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Sanam Feb 24, 2017 09:09am
1500 is no issue for those who can afford, but what about lower income groups and students? There should be pass categories to make sure it's not all about Karachi elite!
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colorlessrainbow Feb 24, 2017 09:32am
@Saad(DXB) Pakistani people don't get paid in dollars and majority of them have salaries barely enough to buy food and clothing; so not sure why you are comparing with US dollar and Dubai. If everything is the same, then why are you sitting in Dubai? Come here; live and work here; be the sole bread winner of the whole family. Your Pizza hut analogy is totally wrong; firstly, meal for one could cost Rs. 300 not Rs. 1500 as you alleges; secondly food is a basic need; whereas music festival is not; thirdly its meant to be a festival for the masses; whereas Pizza hut is not a festival and not for the big crowds. Read economics. Understand feasibility.
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adil Feb 24, 2017 04:31pm
From where can i get ticket?
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Hureen rahman Feb 24, 2017 07:31pm
looking Forward. To the festival
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