At a time when music festivals are finally becoming regular, at least in major cities across Pakistan, Saif Samejo’s Lahooti Melo remains an important festival as it celebrates music, culture, dance, storytelling and the need for peace and the power of love.

Shining a light on music and its many needs as well as providing thousands of people a chance to witness a variety of glorious artists, the festival concluded its third edition in sublime fashion last week in Hyderabad and with it both its creator Saif Samejo and the festival itself, Lahooti Melo, have earned the title of being Instep’s Hotstepper of the week.

Held on March 3 and March 4, the festival hosted scores of artists who performed over the course of two days, including Humera Channa, Aaroh, SomeWhatSuper, Abid Brohi, Abbas Ali Khan and many more. Artists from Nepal and United States made their presence felt as well.

Providing diversity and keeping up its tradition of inclusion, Lahooti Melo 2018, held at the Hyderabad Club, also featured a number of panel discussions that focused on important issues like climate change and the need for music curriculum, among other things.

The cast of Cake, joined by director Asim Abbasi, featured on one panel while filmmaker Jami called it like he sees it when talking about the present state of Pakistani cinema and its excessively glorified revival.

Indigenous artists performed to their heart’s desire as did contemporary ones as the festival managed to attract thousands of people.

For pulling it off year after year, while creating musical harmony and room for discussion and debate, Saif Samejo, who also spearheads music group The Sketches, is our Hotstepper of the week.