What work of art, music, science, mathematics, or literature has surprised, unsettled, or challenged you, and in what way?
Personally, I believe, the element of surprise—something that ‘unsettles’ you and transcends your senses to a new level—is possible through innovation and creativity. One such experience that put me in such a footing came out of a TV musical series called The Coke Studio aired in Pakistan.
The Coke Studio was a show that featured musical artists from a diverse range of genres, and truly revolutionized the way I perceived music. It consisted of both contemporary and Classic folk singers. The fusion of both gave birth to a new genre and gave new life to previously somewhat dying Classic folk music. The famous Qawali and Kaafi artists who had done amazing works and been moguls of their industry in the past were not getting along with the new rage and rhythm of the youth anymore. The Coke studio not only revived those, but also transferred the legacy of such great mystical artists to the new generation. I myself hadn’t really noticed the deep meaning in their lyrics until once sitting by the TV I heard a line by Bulleh Shah “Parh parh ilm te faazil hoya te kaday apnay aap nu parhya ee na” – “You read to become all knowledgeable but you never read yourself”, chanted by Saieen Zahoor, a Sufi musician and then Noori, a rock band, playing music and singing in the backdrop. It truly was an indescribable and mystical experience. I had never thought before a collaboration like this could produce such a transforming ensemble. And then the song came to its conclusion with the lines “Jo naa jaane, Haqq ki taaqat Rabb naa devey us ko Himmat”—“Those who deny the Strength of Truth, Lord does not give them courage”. Since then, I have been a regular follower of Coke Studio.
Personally, I believe, the element of surprise—something that ‘unsettles’ you and transcends your senses to a new level—is possible through innovation and creativity. One such experience that put me in such a footing came out of a TV musical series called The Coke Studio aired in Pakistan.
The Coke Studio was a show that featured musical artists from a diverse range of genres, and truly revolutionized the way I perceived music. It consisted of both contemporary and Classic folk singers. The fusion of both gave birth to a new genre and gave new life to previously somewhat dying Classic folk music. The famous Qawali and Kaafi artists who had done amazing works and been moguls of their industry in the past were not getting along with the new rage and rhythm of the youth anymore. The Coke studio not only revived those, but also transferred the legacy of such great mystical artists to the new generation. I myself hadn’t really noticed the deep meaning in their lyrics until once sitting by the TV I heard a line by Bulleh Shah “Parh parh ilm te faazil hoya te kaday apnay aap nu parhya ee na” – “You read to become all knowledgeable but you never read yourself”, chanted by Saieen Zahoor, a Sufi musician and then Noori, a rock band, playing music and singing in the backdrop. It truly was an indescribable and mystical experience. I had never thought before a collaboration like this could produce such a transforming ensemble. And then the song came to its conclusion with the lines “Jo naa jaane, Haqq ki taaqat Rabb naa devey us ko Himmat”—“Those who deny the Strength of Truth, Lord does not give them courage”. Since then, I have been a regular follower of Coke Studio.
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment