The birth, existence and success of music group Khumariyaan is proof that Pakistan’s music industry is still capable of great things and is reaching people all over the world.
Farhan Bogra is a virtuoso with the rubab.
beyondborders
Farhan Bogra (from Khumariyaan) is making waves abroad. Instep takes a look.
The birth, existence and success of music group Khumariyaan is proof that Pakistan’s music industry is still capable of great things and is reaching people all over the world.
Khumariyaan, a Pushtun band is breaking boundaries for many reasons. The fact that they hail from a city (Peshawar) plagued with talibanisation and sectarian violence, where their very existence is a form of rebellion on its own, hasn’t kept them from creating beautiful music. Their riveting instrumentals have received appreciation from local as well as an international audience.
This band has a Lux Style nomination under their belt, have been invited to shows in the US, India and Bangladesh and they are also the first Pushtoon band to be featured in NYT. But Farhan Bogra, the rubab virtuoso of Khumariyaan, will be performing internationally for the first time through an art residency program that is taking place in San Francisco.
So what is this art residency program? Bogra enlightens us: “A few months ago, I applied for The Music Action Lab, an innovative music residency uniting musicians from across the globe to create social impact music, run by Giant Steps.”
Bogra, selected for the program, will be one of the nine talented musicians who will be playing together. The artists will be collaborating to produce new, original music. The idea is to create and dedicate music in the name of social justice, as well as bridging cultural gaps.
“I will be transferring my cultural values to the international community in different seminars and workshops. Also, I will be producing an album with some of the most talented musicians from the rest of the world.”
The eight other musicians hail from countries such as Rwanda, USA, Japan, Togo and Brazil. Bogra, as well as the other musicians of his band, are dedicated to preserving art and culture, especially of their region. They are determined to break stereotypes of their tribe by being representatives of Pushtoon culture and music.
“I am feeling proud and thankful to Allah for giving me this opportunity,” but Bogra is also feeling very confident because “our Pakistani folk music is so rich and powerful. Our music has the power and beauty to clear the negative attitudes and misconceptions that people have about Pakistan”.
The ensemble will get together next month for this venture. They will then debut their work at the Opportunity Collaboration, in Cancun, Mexico.
