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Niaz Khan Pushto Folk Niaz khan from Peshawar has already achieved much the young age of 22. His father who used to perform with the flute at various sufi shrines inspired him to start singing from the age of 6 and he took his first lesson from the great Ustad Salamat Ali Khan. Since then he has been learning from many masters and has performed at shrines and other venues throughout Pakistan and toured abroad extensively.
Niaz khan from Peshawar has already achieved much the young age of 22. His father who used to perform with the flute at various sufi shrines inspired him to start singing from the age of 6 and he took his first lesson from the great Ustad Salamat Ali Khan. Since then he has been learning from many masters and has performed at shrines and other venues throughout Pakistan and toured abroad extensively.
Fazal Jutt Punjabi Folk Dastan fazal jatt is the son and successor of the renowned folk artist from Punjab Ashiq Jatt, and hails from the folk tradition of “Nautanki” or Folk Theater of rural Punjab. In his electrifying performance Fazal Jatt sings, jests and recites the epic tales of the Punjab such as heer Ranjha, Dulha Bhatti, Mirza Sahibaan and Sohni Mahiwaal in his powerful vocals supported with the beats of the Dhol.
fazal jatt is the son and successor of the renowned folk artist from Punjab Ashiq Jatt, and hails from the folk tradition of “Nautanki” or Folk Theater of rural Punjab. In his electrifying performance Fazal Jatt sings, jests and recites the epic tales of the Punjab such as heer Ranjha, Dulha Bhatti, Mirza Sahibaan and Sohni Mahiwaal in his powerful vocals supported with the beats of the Dhol.
Shamoon Ismail Jutt Blues Shamoon Ismail is a singer/songwriter from Islamabad who effortlessly writes and sings Punjabi lyrics in the blues idiom. His poetry and soulful performance on the guitar reflect his personal struggle as a young artist from Pakistan discontented with traditional modes of expression yet at the same time rooted in his culture. Shamoon’s song TunTuna was in the Top 10 of Best Song of the Year Charts in Pakistan.
Shamoon Ismail is a singer/songwriter from Islamabad who effortlessly writes and sings Punjabi lyrics in the blues idiom. His poetry and soulful performance on the guitar reflect his personal struggle as a young artist from Pakistan discontented with traditional modes of expression yet at the same time rooted in his culture. Shamoon’s song TunTuna was in the Top 10 of Best Song of the Year Charts in Pakistan.
Krishan Laal Bheel Folk Kirshan Laal Bheel is one of the most respected musicians from the Cholistan region of South Punjab and practically as institution of folk culture. He is a master of 8 languages and teacher and mentor to many folk artist from the area. He himself performs on the one-stringed Ektara accompanied by a colorful troupe of musicians and dancers..
Kirshan Laal Bheel is one of the most respected musicians from the Cholistan region of South Punjab and practically as institution of folk culture. He is a master of 8 languages and teacher and mentor to many folk artist from the area. He himself performs on the one-stringed Ektara accompanied by a colorful troupe of musicians and dancers..
NAUJAWAN ALL STARS FUSION Naujawan All Stars consists of six extremely talented youngsters who took up music at an early age and are already well-proficient on their instruments Though some of them have collaborated together in the house band of the popular music show Nescafe Basement, they have specifically come together with a new repertoire for music llela with the following line-up: NazarAbhas on flute; Muzamil Hussain on lead guitar and vocals; Haroon Leo on guitar; Sharoon Leo on violin; Shairi Bakshi on table and Oamar Abbas on cajon.
Naujawan All Stars consists of six extremely talented youngsters who took up music at an early age and are already well-proficient on their instruments Though some of them have collaborated together in the house band of the popular music show Nescafe Basement, they have specifically come together with a new repertoire for music llela with the following line-up: NazarAbhas on flute; Muzamil Hussain on lead guitar and vocals; Haroon Leo on guitar; Sharoon Leo on violin; Shairi Bakshi on table and Oamar Abbas on cajon.
SHAN KHAN PASHTO FUSION Shan Khan was born In Waziristan in the tribal areas of Pakistan, where his father Kamal Mehsud was a famous folk singer. In order to continue their music activity, the family had to migrate to Islamabad, where Shan started his music career and became the runner-up of ‘Pakistan Sangeet Icon’ in 2009. He has toured abroad and also performed at the Maulana Rumi Festival in Turkey.
Shan Khan was born In Waziristan in the tribal areas of Pakistan, where his father Kamal Mehsud was a famous folk singer. In order to continue their music activity, the family had to migrate to Islamabad, where Shan started his music career and became the runner-up of ‘Pakistan Sangeet Icon’ in 2009. He has toured abroad and also performed at the Maulana Rumi Festival in Turkey.
SACHU KHAN BALUCHI FOLK Sachu Khan from Zilla Bugti region of Baluchistan is of the last generation of the old masters of Baluchi folk music in Pakistan. Sachu Khan performs all the styles of Baluchl music such as Lehra, Samrhi, Zemal, Nar Sur Dastaan and Qalandari Dhamaal, on his traditional signature instrument — the Saroz. He is accompanied hv Khadim Hussain on vocaIs,lDambura, Riaz Hussain on Damhura and Ashraf All on percussion.
Sachu Khan from Zilla Bugti region of Baluchistan is of the last generation of the old masters of Baluchi folk music in Pakistan. Sachu Khan performs all the styles of Baluchl music such as Lehra, Samrhi, Zemal, Nar Sur Dastaan and Qalandari Dhamaal, on his traditional signature instrument — the Saroz. He is accompanied hv Khadim Hussain on vocaIs,lDambura, Riaz Hussain on Damhura and Ashraf All on percussion.
MARIA POMIANOWSKA POLISH ETHNO Maria Pomianowska from Poland is a multi-instrumentalist vocalist, Composer, author and professor at the Academy of Music in (racow and director of the (ross-(ulture Warsaw Festival. Alter studying classical music and Sarangi in lndia, Maria returned to Poland and reconstructed the Forgotten Polish instrument Suka similar to the Sarangi. Maria Pornianowska Has given concerts all over the world and collaborated with several International artists, and released over 20 albums many of which have received international awards..
Maria Pomianowska from Poland is a multi-instrumentalist vocalist, Composer, author and professor at the Academy of Music in (racow and director of the (ross-(ulture Warsaw Festival. Alter studying classical music and Sarangi in lndia, Maria returned to Poland and reconstructed the Forgotten Polish instrument Suka similar to the Sarangi. Maria Pornianowska Has given concerts all over the world and collaborated with several International artists, and released over 20 albums many of which have received international awards..
SHAFQAT ALI KHAN CLASSICAL Shafqat Ali Khan is the most accomplished classical singer from the new generation of classical masters of Pakistan. He is the son and successor of the great master of classical music. Ustad SalamatAli Khan, and the foremost representative of the respected Shaam (haurasia ‘Gharana of music. Shafgat Ali is the recipient of the Amir Khusrau Award for Best (lassical vocalist, as well as the Gandhi Award of New Delhi University.
Shafqat Ali Khan is the most accomplished classical singer from the new generation of classical masters of Pakistan. He is the son and successor of the great master of classical music. Ustad SalamatAli Khan, and the foremost representative of the respected Shaam (haurasia ‘Gharana of music. Shafgat Ali is the recipient of the Amir Khusrau Award for Best (lassical vocalist, as well as the Gandhi Award of New Delhi University.
HADIQA KIYANI POP ROCK Pop phenomenon Hadiqa Kiani is a household name in Pakistan with many bestselling songs to her credit Hadiqa was the first Asian singer ever to perform on the British National Lottery Live BBCI ( a program with an estimated viewership l6.6 million at that time), and afterwards worked on two more shows with Bally Sagoo for BBC2 and ITV. She has won numerous national and international awards, and is the first Asian female singer ever to he signed bv Pepsi Cola International, and the second in the world after Gloria Estefan. Hadiqa Kiani has also been featured in Coke Studio Pakistan and was one of the judges of last year’s Pakistan Idol.
Pop phenomenon Hadiqa Kiani is a household name in Pakistan with many bestselling songs to her credit Hadiqa was the first Asian singer ever to perform on the British National Lottery Live BBCI ( a program with an estimated viewership l6.6 million at that time), and afterwards worked on two more shows with Bally Sagoo for BBC2 and ITV. She has won numerous national and international awards, and is the first Asian female singer ever to he signed bv Pepsi Cola International, and the second in the world after Gloria Estefan. Hadiqa Kiani has also been featured in Coke Studio Pakistan and was one of the judges of last year’s Pakistan Idol.
SHEHRIYAR MIRZA ROCK Shehriyar ali mirza is a talented singer and songwriter in both English and Urdu whose diverse musical style incorporates elements of classic rock, Jazz, country and Folk. Before embarking on his own song writing quest ‘Sherry’ Mirza performed at the clubs and underground venues of Islamabad with the popular cover band ‘Soulslide’. In 2014 he received the award for “Best New Emerging Talent” at the Lux Style Awards of Pakistan.
Shehriyar ali mirza is a talented singer and songwriter in both English and Urdu whose diverse musical style incorporates elements of classic rock, Jazz, country and Folk. Before embarking on his own song writing quest ‘Sherry’ Mirza performed at the clubs and underground venues of Islamabad with the popular cover band ‘Soulslide’. In 2014 he received the award for “Best New Emerging Talent” at the Lux Style Awards of Pakistan.
PAPPU SAEEN QALANDAR BASS Pappu Saeen is the master of Dhol drum and Dhamaal grooves of the Oalandari Dervishes. Saeen was the first to popularize the Dhol Dhamaal amongst urban audiences, initially at the shrine of Shah Jamal, where still hundreds of people gather every Thursday to dance to his ecstatic grooves, and afterwards in the popular fusion band Overload. NON Pappu Saeen brings the music of the shrines on stage with his own project called Qalandar Bass.
Pappu Saeen is the master of Dhol drum and Dhamaal grooves of the Oalandari Dervishes. Saeen was the first to popularize the Dhol Dhamaal amongst urban audiences, initially at the shrine of Shah Jamal, where still hundreds of people gather every Thursday to dance to his ecstatic grooves, and afterwards in the popular fusion band Overload. NON Pappu Saeen brings the music of the shrines on stage with his own project called Qalandar Bass.
RED BLOOD CAT CONTEMPORARY JAZZ ROCK Red Blood Cat is one of the most exciting contemporary music acts to emerge from the underground music scene of Pakistan. Their unique styles and wide influences go beyond the boundaries of ethnicity and the intricate arrangements of their compositions are both aesthetically pleasing and dynamically provocative.
Red Blood Cat is one of the most exciting contemporary music acts to emerge from the underground music scene of Pakistan. Their unique styles and wide influences go beyond the boundaries of ethnicity and the intricate arrangements of their compositions are both aesthetically pleasing and dynamically provocative.
JIMMY KHAN POP/ROCK Jimmy Khan is one of the most popular Pop Rock singer songwriters to recently emerge in the mainstream music scene of Pakistan, after his video ‘Nadiya Paar’ went viral and several of his songs got featured on Coke Studio. Jimmy Khan released his first album in 2014 under the collaborative title of Jimmy Khan & The Big Ears and since then has been successfully touring the pop circuit of Pakistan.
Jimmy Khan is one of the most popular Pop Rock singer songwriters to recently emerge in the mainstream music scene of Pakistan, after his video ‘Nadiya Paar’ went viral and several of his songs got featured on Coke Studio. Jimmy Khan released his first album in 2014 under the collaborative title of Jimmy Khan & The Big Ears and since then has been successfully touring the pop circuit of Pakistan.
HATS DANCE GROUP FOLK HATS (Half Apple Talent School)is an established group of 12 young professionals based in Islamabad, headed by accomplished choreogra-pher Mr. Naveel Bachan, who are trained in classical, pop, modem, salsa, break, folk and regional dances in many national and international dance shows, concerts and fashion shows. For Music Mela, HATS has prepared a Regional Medley, based on the five provincial folk/regional dances of Bhangrha, Khattak, jhoomer, Laiay and Luddi..
HATS (Half Apple Talent School)is an established group of 12 young professionals based in Islamabad, headed by accomplished choreogra-pher Mr. Naveel Bachan, who are trained in classical, pop, modem, salsa, break, folk and regional dances in many national and international dance shows, concerts and fashion shows. For Music Mela, HATS has prepared a Regional Medley, based on the five provincial folk/regional dances of Bhangrha, Khattak, jhoomer, Laiay and Luddi..
ASRAR FUSION Asrar’s presence is as electrifying on stage as his charwtet is unassuming otherwise. His full throated vocals and rocking melodies made his performance on last year’s (oke Studio one of the most memorable, with his song ‘Sab Akho Ali Ali’ topping the charts. Asrar’s unique soulful voice combined with his classical music training make him one of the most charismatic performers amongst the young talent of Pakistan.
Asrar’s presence is as electrifying on stage as his charwtet is unassuming otherwise. His full throated vocals and rocking melodies made his performance on last year’s (oke Studio one of the most memorable, with his song ‘Sab Akho Ali Ali’ topping the charts. Asrar’s unique soulful voice combined with his classical music training make him one of the most charismatic performers amongst the young talent of Pakistan.
ENVOYS AMBASSADOR ROCK The Envoys area band of four ambassadors based in Islamabad with a common love for rock ‘n roll! They are: His Excellency Nedim Makarevic the Ambassador of Bosnia & Hercigovina on guitar and vocals; His Excellency Peter Heyward the High Commissioner of Australia on flute; His Excellency Jesper Moller Sorensen the Ambassador of Denmark on guitar and vocals and His Excellency Hiroshi Inomata the Ambassador of Japan on drums.
The Envoys area band of four ambassadors based in Islamabad with a common love for rock ‘n roll! They are: His Excellency Nedim Makarevic the Ambassador of Bosnia & Hercigovina on guitar and vocals; His Excellency Peter Heyward the High Commissioner of Australia on flute; His Excellency Jesper Moller Sorensen the Ambassador of Denmark on guitar and vocals and His Excellency Hiroshi Inomata the Ambassador of Japan on drums.
SKETCHES SUFI FOLK ROCK Pioneers of Sufi Folk Rock, The Sketches were founded by Saif Samejo from Jamshoro, Sindh, and have been instrumental in bringing Sindhi Sufi music to a younger audience. After being featured in the early seasons of Coke Studio, they went on to form the Lahooti Music Aashram and the Lahooti Live Sessions project in Sindh to promote the poetry and culture of tolerance amongst the younger generations.
Pioneers of Sufi Folk Rock, The Sketches were founded by Saif Samejo from Jamshoro, Sindh, and have been instrumental in bringing Sindhi Sufi music to a younger audience. After being featured in the early seasons of Coke Studio, they went on to form the Lahooti Music Aashram and the Lahooti Live Sessions project in Sindh to promote the poetry and culture of tolerance amongst the younger generations.
UMAIR ARIF CLASSICAL KATHAK Umair Arif is an accomplished young Kathak dancer who started learning his Art in 2002 from Master Sajjad Hussain of the Kalawant Patya la Gharana of Kathak. Later he joined Madam A imi Minwala at Alhamra Arts Council and attended workshops of Madam Naheed Siddiqui and is currently training under Madam Bina Jawwad. Umair is also director choreography of Thespianz Theater Company in Karachi with whose team he received the Pride of Performance Award from the Government of Sindh for the musical opera “Omer Marvi”.
Umair Arif is an accomplished young Kathak dancer who started learning his Art in 2002 from Master Sajjad Hussain of the Kalawant Patya la Gharana of Kathak. Later he joined Madam A imi Minwala at Alhamra Arts Council and attended workshops of Madam Naheed Siddiqui and is currently training under Madam Bina Jawwad. Umair is also director choreography of Thespianz Theater Company in Karachi with whose team he received the Pride of Performance Award from the Government of Sindh for the musical opera “Omer Marvi”.
COVEN ROCK Coven is a pioneering “underground’ Rock band that has persevered in the Pakistani music scene for the past 20 years, and inspired several younger bands of rock music. Their energetic and intricately arranged music is both melodic and aggressive in style and uncompromisingly honest in subject matter, and their intricate arrangements are testimonials to their vast skill and experience.
Coven is a pioneering “underground’ Rock band that has persevered in the Pakistani music scene for the past 20 years, and inspired several younger bands of rock music. Their energetic and intricately arranged music is both melodic and aggressive in style and uncompromisingly honest in subject matter, and their intricate arrangements are testimonials to their vast skill and experience.
MARY MCBRIDE AMERICAN COUNTRY ROCK Mary McBride is a seasoned performing artist with a wide range of music including rock ‘n roll, blues, country and soul. She has released four albums with her band and received critical acclaim from major media outlets, including CNN, The Washington Post, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Mary performed onscreen and on the soundtrack of the Academy Awani winning film, ‘Brokeback Mountain’. Her songs have been featured on multiple television shows and she is currently writing the score for a new musical called The Nitpicker. Mary is also the founder of Home Tour (www.tbehometour.org) which brings live musical concerts to people in need.
Mary McBride is a seasoned performing artist with a wide range of music including rock ‘n roll, blues, country and soul. She has released four albums with her band and received critical acclaim from major media outlets, including CNN, The Washington Post, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Mary performed onscreen and on the soundtrack of the Academy Awani winning film, ‘Brokeback Mountain’. Her songs have been featured on multiple television shows and she is currently writing the score for a new musical called The Nitpicker. Mary is also the founder of Home Tour (www.tbehometour.org) which brings live musical concerts to people in need.
MAI NIMANI SINDHI FOLK The very charismatic Mai Nimani is a fabulous folk artist from Sindh. Born in a musical family she only started learning music formally from her husband after their marriage. Mai Nimani’s husky voice has both soul and melody and her repertoire consists of Sindhi kalaams of Shah Abdul Lateef Bhittai, Punjabi kalaams of Baba Bulleh Shah and Guru Nanak, as well as Sindhi folk songs which she regularly performs at various sufi shrines in Sind h. She is accompanied by her husband on harmonium and brother in law on dholak.
The very charismatic Mai Nimani is a fabulous folk artist from Sindh. Born in a musical family she only started learning music formally from her husband after their marriage. Mai Nimani’s husky voice has both soul and melody and her repertoire consists of Sindhi kalaams of Shah Abdul Lateef Bhittai, Punjabi kalaams of Baba Bulleh Shah and Guru Nanak, as well as Sindhi folk songs which she regularly performs at various sufi shrines in Sind h. She is accompanied by her husband on harmonium and brother in law on dholak.
FAIZ ALI QAWAALI Faiz Ali is a master of Sufi Qawwali and hails from a family that has produced seven generations of gawwals. Faiz Ali’s mastery of classical music as well as inspirations of his mentor, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, are apparent in his exquisite renditions of Sufi poetry, and make him one of the finest exponents of Qawwali today. Faiz Ali Fait was nominated for the BBC Radio 3 World Music Award in 2005 and 2006.
Faiz Ali is a master of Sufi Qawwali and hails from a family that has produced seven generations of gawwals. Faiz Ali’s mastery of classical music as well as inspirations of his mentor, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, are apparent in his exquisite renditions of Sufi poetry, and make him one of the finest exponents of Qawwali today. Faiz Ali Fait was nominated for the BBC Radio 3 World Music Award in 2005 and 2006.
SANAM MARVI SUFI FOLK Born in Hyderabad, Sindh, Sanam Marvi has been raised in the Sufi Folk music tradition since she was seven and is one of the leading and finest female vocalists of Pakistan. As soon as Sanam started performing she took the music industry by storm and since then has been featured in all the leading music projects of the country. Sanam sings in Sindhi, Saraiki,Punjabi and Urdu languages and regularly tours abroad.
Born in Hyderabad, Sindh, Sanam Marvi has been raised in the Sufi Folk music tradition since she was seven and is one of the leading and finest female vocalists of Pakistan. As soon as Sanam started performing she took the music industry by storm and since then has been featured in all the leading music projects of the country. Sanam sings in Sindhi, Saraiki,Punjabi and Urdu languages and regularly tours abroad.
GRACE MCLEAN USA CONTEMPORAY ROCK Grace Meclean is a multi-talented singer, composer, writer and actress emerging from the New York music scene, with a unique and electrifying stage presence. While performing, Grace loops and layers her own incredibly melodic vocals to create a rich orchestral ambience on stage. Grace featured in the world premiere of the Michael Maayers helmed musical, ‘ brooklynite, and is currently preparing for a pop opera called, ‘In the Green’. Though she has toured in Europe this is the first time she will be traveling to Asia and the Subcontinent to perform specially on the Music Mela Platform.
Grace Meclean is a multi-talented singer, composer, writer and actress emerging from the New York music scene, with a unique and electrifying stage presence. While performing, Grace loops and layers her own incredibly melodic vocals to create a rich orchestral ambience on stage. Grace featured in the world premiere of the Michael Maayers helmed musical, ‘ brooklynite, and is currently preparing for a pop opera called, ‘In the Green’. Though she has toured in Europe this is the first time she will be traveling to Asia and the Subcontinent to perform specially on the Music Mela Platform.
