An Honest Assembly of Music

The Alhamra Arts Council was ablaze with emotion, rhythm and nostalgia as the evening reverberated with melodies from the mountains of Hunza to the heart of Lahore. The event, titled ‘Mehfil – A Heartfelt Gathering of Music’, brought together old and new musicians, classical and contemporary, to celebrate music as a bridge between cultures and generations.

This concert was organized by the Leif Larsen Music Center, a small but remarkable music school based in Hunza. It has been cultivating young talents who are passionate about preserving their cultural heritage since its inception. Led by a student of the National College of Arts, the senior students of this school played a concert titled ‘Youth for Youth’, an effort to inspire and connect through traditional sounds.

It was a jam-packed performance with an ensemble of traditional Hunza instruments that included Rubab, Dadang, Vighini and Chitrali Sittar. Rubab’s sweet and soulful tone filled the room with warmth. The Dadang added depth and rhythm to the performance as it is one of the oldest instruments of Hunza.

Influenced by Iranian sounds, Chitrali Sittar added an exotic layer to the music. Aisa, being the only woman in the crowd of musicians, stole the show when she played Vighini with elegance and confidence. Her presence on stage symbolized talent and empowerment, earning the audience hearty applause.

One of the memorable moments of the evening came when Abdullah sang the classic ghazal “Ranjish Hi Sahi”. Originally performed to cover a brief technical break, his heartfelt performance captured the audience’s attention and turned the moment into an emotional high point. It showed that music, even when unplanned, instantly has the power to move and connect people.

The biggest surprise of the night came when the legendary rock band ‘Call’ took over the stage again after a fifteen year hiatus. It was the same venue where, many years ago, this group had released their first album. The crowd cheered wildly as all their chartbusters began to play and nostalgia filled the atmosphere.

At the insistence of the audience, Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan, or simply Zulfi, gave a moving and powerful solo performance, which drew a standing ovation. His feel with the audience was electrifying – a feel that seemed to belong in their early days.

Adding another layer of energy to the evening, Farhan Saeed sang his favorite song of all time Adat. His inspiring voice echoed through the room, bringing back memories for many in the crowd. Between songs, he shared exciting news about his upcoming album, scheduled for release on November 14, which turned the concert into both a performance and a celebration of his musical journey.

Mehfil at Alhamra was more than just a concert. It was an experience that weaved past and present together, the earthy sounds of the Hunza mountains mixed with the familiar beats of Pakistani pop and rock.

He reminded everyone that music is more than just sound. it is emotion, memory and connection. When words are scarce, music becomes the heartbeat of the soul.