Introducing the world to our rich music, presented as the official soundtrack for the Pakistan Pavilion at the Dubai Expo 2020, here’s Lala-e-Sehrai for Pakistan.
 
This soundtrack is a contemporary adaptation to four distinct musical styles of Pakistan, highlighting the timelessness of our musical heritage. The track in its final form depicts a journey from classical, to folk and then Qawali. The traditional afternoon Raag Bhimplasi performed by Ali Akber, makes its way to Thari folk sounds drawn from the Tharparkar region, delivered by legendary Mai Dhai of Sindh, reaching a devotional hiatus featuring Ali Akber and Zain Zohaib Qawal. The track closes with the sounds of Pakistan; the motherland; its natural heritage from North to South, the cold mountain winds, ever-changing sky and renewed sea. The journey is encapsulated by the cloud-like vocals of Wajiha Naqvi and Zara Madani, and the recitation of Allama Iqbal by Arif Bahalim.

Lala-e-sehrai (Flower of the Desert)

buy a copy at www.aroojaftab.bandcamp.com

Dark post-pop meets mystic muse, Arooj Aftab's Bird Under Water undulates and scintillates. A masterful expression of lyrical and acoustic soul tripped out through analog voltage and experimental digital filters.

credits
released March 9, 2015

Bird Under Water 
Written and Produced by Arooj Aftab

Jörn Bielfeldt - Drums/Percussion 
Mario Carrillo - Contra-Bass 
Bhrigu Sahni - Acoustic/Electric Guitar 
Magda Giannikou - Accordion on tracks 2, 3 and 4 
Sonny Singh - Trumpet on tracks 2 and 5 
Baqir Abbas - Bansuri on track 1 
Rakae Jamil - Sitar on track 3

Tracks 2, 3 and 5 co-written with Bhrigu Sahni 
Mixed and Mastered by Jeremy Loucas 
Engineered by Joshua Valleau and Alex Syner 
Album Art by Anum Awan and Yikun Liang

© Arooj Aftab 2015 All rights reserved

01 Man Kunto Maula

Mai To Piya Se

The original qawwali qaul in praise of Hazrat Ali by Amir Khusrau ( ra )
Live at the Nevada Theatre 2014.
Web site: http://www.fanna-fi-allah.com
Full HD video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKUNZ2HJUTw&list=UUpnYqtkqswSrZyg0NNXNMgA
Beyond the performance of this music, we’re making a feature film to share this great tradition far & wide. Click this link, enjoy the trailer & please support https://www.gofundme.com/qawwali

Man Kunto Maula

Main To Piya Se Naina Laga Aayi Re - Hazrat Amir Khusro - Ustad Shujaat Hussain Khan

Mohay Apnay Hi Rang Mien, Amir Khusro, Riaz munshi raziuddin

Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Michael Brook - Intoxicated

Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Michael Brook - Longing

Night Song is a collaborative studio album by Pakistani qawwali singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Canadian ambient musician, guitarist and producer Michael Brook. Recorded in 1995 and released in 1996 on Real World Records, it was Khan's last album released on the label during his lifetime. 
(Each and every night I need to play this track to have a sound sleep )

My tune, my music

Night Song: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan  and Michael Brook

Language: Braj, Persian

Poetry: Mirza Qateel (d. 1817), Bedam Shah Warsi (d. 1936)

Fareed Ayaz & Abu Mohammad - Kangana [The Reluctant Fundamentalist]

Na man behooda girde kocha
Wa bazaar megardam
Mazaj-e-ashiqee daram paye
dildar megardam

Khudaya rahm kon bar man
Pareeshan waar megardam

Khata karam gonahgaram
Ba hale zaar megardam

Sharabe showq menosham
Ba girde yaar megardam

Sukhan mastana megoyam
Walay hooshyaar megardam

         English Translation

No I am not roaming aimlessly
around the streets and bazaar
I am a lover searching for his beloved

God have mercy on me
I am walking around troubled

I have done wrong and sinned
and am walking around wounded

I have drunk the wine of desire
and am strolling around beloved

Though I may seem drunk
I am quite sober

Rumi's Poem "Na man behooda" By Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

The sounds of sufism by Tahir Hussain Faridi.
In this time of religious extremism, there are still those who are carrying the flame of religious tolerance, devotion and mysticism- and the Sufi’s are some of the most ancient.
Fanna-Fi-Allah carries the tradition and teachings of the Sufi’s in their music, the devotionally driven and passionate music of Qawwali.  Through many years of study and practice under the guidance of Qawwali masters of India and Pakistan, their expression of Qawwali music has become an authentic representation and continuation of this ancient tradition of Sufi music.
Sufism is alive and well in India and Pakistan, where Qawwali music celebrates the great Sufi mystics of old, and relishes in the love of the Divine through poetry.  Sung with a powerful and soaring melodious chorus and accompanied by entrancing energetic rhythms of tabla and group clapping, the Beloved is celebrated with ecstatic devotion.   
Fanna-Fi-Allah gives audiences a glimpse inside this rich and vibrant Sufi culture, to which many would otherwise never experience. The groups founding members have spent over 20 years learning this classical art-form. During their 15 years of world-wide touring they have played at many major international festivals. They have enthralled audiences in the USA, Pakistan, Europe, Indonesia, India, Egypt, and others, with their dynamic skill, and passionate musical precision.  With ten albums already published, Fanna-Fi-Allah have now given us an even greater glimpse into this Sufi world of Pakistan with the production of their new documentary: Music of the Mystics.  
Fanna-Fi-Allah continues to carry on an ancient wisdom in their music, a wisdom that is not only heard, but is profoundly felt.  A universal message of devotion and tolerance that ignites hearts and quenches their deeper longings. A message that is so crucial for our time.


Man Kunto Maula

Tahir Qawwal