"We live in a multicultural society and yet, people from different traditions prefer to segregate. Braadri Broadcast seeks to overcome these barriers through the universal language of music."

- Hamza Jafri, creator and producer

Nothing triggers creativity more than an honest collaboration, because it has the distinctive power to captivate and move you in ways an artificial or superficial creation never could. So, when such an effort manifests itself, it is imperative that we discuss it.

One such movement or creative creation is Braadri Broadcast, a project that aims to bridge cultural and societal divisiveness (both visible and invisible) by celebrating diversity and promoting ethnic harmony in an age that is not only polarizing but one where relations are often made worse by politicians looking to score cheap points.

‘Braadri’ which roughly translates to community is the celebration of Pakistan’s rich heritage but it differs from other sonic efforts because it is not playing around with the overdone east-west fusion ideas that have been around for decades. BB is different because it’s a cross-cultural-ethno project where languages, traditions and instruments from across provinces are merged with intricate design and where the message of ethnic harmony echoes loud and clear.

And given the number of eclectic artists involved, Braadri Broadcast has the potential to bring people back to rich, local music and embrace it in all its beauty and glory.

A collaborative effort between MAD School (Music Art Dance) and Karachi Youth Initiative (KYI), Braadri Broadcast is the result of the vision of one Hamza Jafri, Co-Ven front-man, who is the creator and producer of the project. It features an entirely traditional, all acoustic, 32-piece desi orchestra and 10 original musical compositions that have been performed by the orchestra in 10 different languages: Sindhi, Punjabi, Balochi, Pashto, Siraiki, Shina, Brusheski, Marwari, Hindko and Urdu.

Several noteworthy others are also involved in various capacities. Song direction and composition duties belong to Akram Khan while Sikandar Mufti (Co-Ven, Coke Studio house-band, percussion king) is the Technical Head and Creative Associate. Rola and Rushk duo Uns Mufti and Ali Jafri are serving as Video Director and Video Edit & Post Specialist respectively; theatre darling and director Nida Butt is serving as Executive Producer and Bilal Nasir Khan, co-founder of indie music collective Forever South (FXS) is heading the audio production department.

"We live in a multicultural society and yet, people from different traditions prefer to segregate," explained Hamza J in a press statement. "Braadri Broadcast seeks to overcome these barriers through the universal language of music."

With a kickass live performance event by The Braadri Orchestra entourage done and dusted and the first song - a Punjabi/Urdu tune called ‘Karma Wale’ released, the project has begun on a promising note.

"Right now, we have only dabbled with 10 languages but we could work with so much more in the future," said Hamza Jafri on the future of the show. "Every song sheds light on different aspects and approach to the idea of oneness and love."

In these desperate times where originality is taken for granted and the forces of multiculturalism can get overshadowed by dark, war-driven narrative and bickering, self-serving leaders, it is a project like BB that has the potential to promote unity as well as acknowledge and commemorate artists who may belong to the regional music genre but really should be viewed as national treasure.