Lok Virsa to launch Sufi music album on Nov 20

ISLAMABAD, Nov 18 (APP): National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage in collaboration with Indus Cultural Forum will launch a Sufi music album unveiling the soul soothing melodies here on November 20.
The album entitled “Sufism Beyond Borders-A Soulful Journey” is presented by renowned artistes Mazhar Hussain and Zulifqar Ali. The melodies of the album focus on Sufi thoughts of love and peace by poets in different languages, the launching ceremony will be followed by
Live Sufi music performance in 6 languages including Urdu, Sindhi, Punjabi,
Seraiki, Hindi and Persian and screening of video on Buleh Shah’s Kafi
“Mitti”.
Sufi music is the devotional music of the Sufis, inspired by the
works of Sufi poets, the vocalists on the occasion will use the same
message of peace, love and harmony and as well as preserve the traditional
musical heritage of the subcontinent.
Sufi music is linked to the Sufi traditions and Islamic verses
having a mystical school of Islamic thought which strives to attain
truth and divine love by direct personal experience.
The teachings of `Sufis’ played a significant role in dissemination
of the divine message of Islam. The vocalists took this message to the
four corners of subcontinent through their unique expressions, said the
organizers.
The Sufi music follows a very specific psychological process
in which one starts with the singing of the song or some soft
instrumental music. In this psychological state the song is received
in a manner that is not unlike standard forms of musical expression.
The words are sung, quite repeatedly with variations intended
to bring out deeper means of the lyrics, after a while there is a
repetition to the extent that the words cease to have a meaning.
Lok Virsa has the mandate to promote and preserve the intangible
and tangible cultural heritage of the country while the Indus Cultural
Forum aims to provide multi-cultural space to celebrate all cultures
of Pakistan.
Meanwhile, the Mandwa Film Club of Lok Virsa will screen The
Queen -a 2006 British drama film here on November 21 depicting the
British Royal Family’s response to the death of Diana, Princess of
Wales on 31 August 1997.
The film was directed by Stephen Frears, written by Peter Morgan,
and starred Helen Mirren in the title role of Queen Elizabeth II.
In the film, the Royal Family regards Diana’s death as a private
affair and thus not to be treated as an official Royal death. This is
in contrast with the views of Tony Blair and Diana’s ex-husband,
Prince Charles, who favor the general public’s desire for an
official expression of grief. Matters are further complicated by the
media, royal protocol regarding Diana’s official status, and wider
issues about Republicanism.
The film exceeded box-office expectations while Mirren won at
least 29 major awards for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II.