"Arzoo" - Karim Gillani & Kashif Din
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUiR4EZIQ1M
Arzoo
I Seek
"Arzoo" is a mystical song soulfully penned by Nasir Shamsi from Multan, Pakistan. The poet expresses the highest stages of Ishq (Divine Love) where the lover seeks to be one with his beloved. This stage can also be expressed as Fana Fillah - Annihilation in Allah. This is the final stage on the Journey of Return to Allah. The being of the lover is annihilated and absorbed into the Being of the Beloved.
This heartfelt song is composed and produced by Dr. Karim Gillani, music is arranged by Kashif Din and the Sufi dance is performed by Vaishnavi Thapliyal at the iconic Humayun’s tomb in Delhi, India. Artists from three countries Canada, India and Pakistan have come together for this unique collaboration. It is very rare to witness the sublime connection of highest form of mystical poetry into soul-stirring composition and delivery. Please dive deep into the lyrics and search your own journey of the soul.
Nasir Shamsi is among the finest Ismaili Urdu poets and recently published a collection of his poems in a book titled “Manzil-e-Ishq” (Destiny of Love). Nasir's poems thematically range from philosophical Sufi ideas to expressions of love and devotion.
Enjoy Nasir's powerful poetry elegantly delivered in an original song composition "Arzoo"!
ISMAILI ART AND MUSIC
Re: ISMAILI ART AND MUSIC
"Allah Ka Sub Zikr Karo" - Shabnam Merali
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63vm9NxEgHQ
Shabnam Merali sings "Allah Ka Sub Zikr Karo" a devotional song with lyrics written by Alwaez Z Jessani.
The music is composed by Mehboob Ashraf and Shabnam Merali. The recording was done at Sonic Studio, Pakistan.
Shabnam Merali is an accomplished vocalist and musician. She has skillfully mastered the world of Ghazals, Sufi Kalam, Qawwalis, Ginans, Qasidas and various other genres of music in languages such as Urdu, Gujarati, Sindhi, Kiswahili, Punjabi, Siraiki. She has performed internationally on many platforms and has released many albums worldwide with original compositions, some of her albums include Expressions, Khushi, Shan-e-Ali, Shukrana, Suhana Safar and Shahnaama e Karimi.
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63vm9NxEgHQ
Shabnam Merali sings "Allah Ka Sub Zikr Karo" a devotional song with lyrics written by Alwaez Z Jessani.
The music is composed by Mehboob Ashraf and Shabnam Merali. The recording was done at Sonic Studio, Pakistan.
Shabnam Merali is an accomplished vocalist and musician. She has skillfully mastered the world of Ghazals, Sufi Kalam, Qawwalis, Ginans, Qasidas and various other genres of music in languages such as Urdu, Gujarati, Sindhi, Kiswahili, Punjabi, Siraiki. She has performed internationally on many platforms and has released many albums worldwide with original compositions, some of her albums include Expressions, Khushi, Shan-e-Ali, Shukrana, Suhana Safar and Shahnaama e Karimi.
“Ud Chala”- Natasha Baig (by Maqam Station)
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2Dfsxz-lIw
"Ud Chala"
Sufi Song
Maqam Station presents "Ud Chala" featuring Natasha Baig - the exceptionally talented singer from Karachi, Pakistan. Natasha has a unique singing ability and has also performed on Coke Studio Pakistan.
Ud Chala (I fly) is a new original Sufi song based around the word “Rangrez” a Persian word which means dyer - a person who works with colors and dyes. The term is widely used in Sufi songs.
In this context, it is the Rangrez (Guide, Murshid) who would color (by imparting True Knowledge) your cloth (mind) for that Union with God.
Around the same idea, Farhan Shah has written this line “Ud Chala Ray Ud Chala Tere Rang Main Rangrezi" - I soar soaking in your hues my rangraiz, in your hues I am the colorful.
The song also features poetry by Baba Bulleh Shah, the 17th-century Punjabi philosopher and Sufi poet, who prods us to go on that difficult inner journey of self-discovery.
"Maqam Station" is a separate and independently run music initiative by JollyGul, spearheaded by award-winning director / composer - singer Farhan Shah and Executive Producer Irfan S. Ali.
--------------
Song: UD Chala
Singer: Natasha Baig
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2Dfsxz-lIw
"Ud Chala"
Sufi Song
Maqam Station presents "Ud Chala" featuring Natasha Baig - the exceptionally talented singer from Karachi, Pakistan. Natasha has a unique singing ability and has also performed on Coke Studio Pakistan.
Ud Chala (I fly) is a new original Sufi song based around the word “Rangrez” a Persian word which means dyer - a person who works with colors and dyes. The term is widely used in Sufi songs.
In this context, it is the Rangrez (Guide, Murshid) who would color (by imparting True Knowledge) your cloth (mind) for that Union with God.
Around the same idea, Farhan Shah has written this line “Ud Chala Ray Ud Chala Tere Rang Main Rangrezi" - I soar soaking in your hues my rangraiz, in your hues I am the colorful.
The song also features poetry by Baba Bulleh Shah, the 17th-century Punjabi philosopher and Sufi poet, who prods us to go on that difficult inner journey of self-discovery.
"Maqam Station" is a separate and independently run music initiative by JollyGul, spearheaded by award-winning director / composer - singer Farhan Shah and Executive Producer Irfan S. Ali.
--------------
Song: UD Chala
Singer: Natasha Baig
"Yeh Dil Yeh Pagal Dil Mera"
Ghulam Ali's Ghazal - "Yeh Dil Yeh Pagal Dil Mera" By Amin Mawani
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mO_9j7Bz3MA
This heart of mine, this crazy heart of mine
Amin Mawani sings Ghulam Ali's ghazal "Yeh Dil Yeh Pagal Dil Mera". The profound lyrics for this song are written by Mohsin Naqvi (1947−1996) a popular Pakistani poet.
This ghazal speaks to a sense of meaninglessness and randomness in our journey of life. We feel a sense of wandering around and loneliness at times. In the final verse, the poet suggests that we embrace this feeling of loneliness using the metaphor of the moon, always alone, yet it also at all times shines brightly.
We present the video with lyrics and translations - enhanced with our interpretation of what the poet may have meant.
Enjoy and feel free to interpret it in your own personal way!
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mO_9j7Bz3MA
This heart of mine, this crazy heart of mine
Amin Mawani sings Ghulam Ali's ghazal "Yeh Dil Yeh Pagal Dil Mera". The profound lyrics for this song are written by Mohsin Naqvi (1947−1996) a popular Pakistani poet.
This ghazal speaks to a sense of meaninglessness and randomness in our journey of life. We feel a sense of wandering around and loneliness at times. In the final verse, the poet suggests that we embrace this feeling of loneliness using the metaphor of the moon, always alone, yet it also at all times shines brightly.
We present the video with lyrics and translations - enhanced with our interpretation of what the poet may have meant.
Enjoy and feel free to interpret it in your own personal way!
World Music Day
Ya Ali Madad [Reprise]
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ek5fGCbr2oY
To coincide with World Music Day, The Ismaili is pleased to present The Ismaili Sounds: Jam Sessions, a platform to showcase live and mellow performances. The first release, “Ya Ali Madad [Reprise]” by The Sufistics, expresses the belief that adversities can be overcome by keeping one’s faith close by.
**********
The story behind The Ismaili Sounds
The Ismaili Sounds provides a platform for hundreds of music artists across the worldwide Jamat.
In May 2020, while the world was in lockdown, The Ismaili TV hosted a virtual Shukrana Concert to commemorate Eid ul-Fitr. To prepare, the organising team issued a call out for song submissions, hoping for a few hours worth of content. The response was overwhelming. A new platform was soon created to showcase the musical talent of the Jamat – and thus, two years ago this week, The Ismaili Sounds was born.
In a speech at the inaugural Aga Khan Music Awards in 2019, Mawlana Hazar Imam remarked that, “The cultural heritage of Islam has long embraced musical language as an elemental expression of human spirituality. Listening to music, practicing music, sharing music, performing music - have long been an intimate part of life for Muslim communities across the world.”
The Ismaili Sounds – an initiative born amidst the global pandemic – embodies and carries forth this historical tradition of musical expression, giving voice to hundreds of artists across the worldwide Jamat. In the process, it enables them to showcase their talents and touch the hearts of a global audience. The story of the project begins with a touch of serendipity.
“We wanted to get 3 to 4 hours of content,” explained Amina Dhrolia, who coordinated the Shukrana concert in 2020 and now leads The Ismaili Sounds. “While working on the timetable, we received 17 to 18 hours of content, which we weren’t expecting!”
Artists of different ages from over 20 countries submitted songs to be featured in the online performance and celebration, which took place over three days.
In recognition of the diverse artistic talent within the community, as well as the demand for such content, The Ismaili Sounds was officially launched in June 2020. It served as a platform to promote the talent of renowned and emerging Ismaili artists, to produce original devotional content in accordance with our beliefs, and to unite the global Ismaili community during a time of physical isolation.
“In the early days of Covid-19, we couldn’t perform or enjoy arts in-person, so we looked for a way to engage global artists and give them a virtual stage,” said Amina. “People told us the music was so uplifting during such an uncertain and anxious time,” she added. “In some ways, along with volunteers, these artists and their music got us through the pandemic.”
faisal amlani
One of these artists is Faisal Amlani, an Australian-Pakistani singer, composer, and musician. Faisal has released multiple songs on The Ismaili Sounds, including Dua-e-Reham, and a Sufi-Pop track, Ya Rehman Ya Raheem. As a teenager, he was fond of Pop music, and later became inspired by the qawwali genre after listening to the work of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
“I realised that I have a soft voice texture that suits Pop music but at the same time, I wanted my music to have more purpose and meaning to it. Pop music can entertain people, but Sufi music can provide relaxation to the soul,” said Faisal. “So, I thought, why not do something which entertains, shares a message, and provides relaxation to the soul at the same time? That’s how my genre, Sufi-Pop, came into existence.”
From renditions of Silver Jubilee geets, Arabic Nasheeds, and Pamiri folk music to Eastern-Western fusion songs, the tracks featured on The Ismaili Sounds are diverse in musical genres, languages, instruments, and styles.
Some compositions are performed by groups from the same region, like The Sufistics from the United States, the Khorog Band from Tajikistan, and the Pamoja Ensemble from Kenya and South Africa. Others, such as Tere Liye (For You) and Mawla Mera Ishq Tu, are multilingual works recorded across multiple countries. These collaborations illustrate the diverse talent of our community in various parts of the world, celebrate our differences and commonalities, and reflect the ethos of One Jamat.
Not only does the platform encourage experimentation with genres, but it also supports new and emerging artists, including youth and young adults.
Twenty-year-old Amisha Lakhani from Hyderabad, India, produced and released her first track on The Ismaili Sounds. The composition – an acoustic version of Allahuma Salli Aala, – was originally written and composed by Khairunissa and Fez Meghani in the United States during the Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Golden Jubilee.
amisha
“The Salwat by Fez Meghani was regularly played in my household,” said Amisha. “I was always a big fan and that made this task in itself very rewarding. I had to tweak a few guitar chords and keep re-recording until I recorded the perfect track.”
After it was released, Amisha said she felt elated. “I never expected such a heartwarming response from people around the world. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity,” she said.
The Ismaili Sounds has released over 65 tracks online via Youtube, Facebook, and Instagram. In the days ahead of special festivals, such as Salgirah, Navroz, or Imamat Day, songs are released more frequently. Whereas at first, the team approached artists to ask for content, the team now receives a regular stream of submissions from artists around the world.
One of these is Calgary-based singer and songwriter Cimone Rajan, a young musician currently charting her course. She has featured on various tracks for The Ismaili Sounds, including Heal a Heart and the Navroz composition, New Perfume.
Cimone is a 2019 graduate of Boston’s Berklee School of Music and holds degrees in Songwriting and Music Technology. She observed that The Ismaili Sounds platform holds significance because the spirituality of music can unify diverse groups.
Cimone
“Do you ever hear a song that moves you in a way that you can’t even describe? You just get this feeling inside and you don’t have the words for it, but it moves you. I see that as a spiritual connection,” she said. “There’s a reason why music is considered a universal language. It’s because everyone can connect to it and have an emotional response to it. That coming together is in itself something so spiritual.”
Growing up in North America, Cimone explained that she did not see enough representation of Muslim artists in the Western music industry.
“That very much affected the way I saw myself and my culture,” she said. “Now as an adult, having so much pride in who I am and in our community and in our culture, that’s something that I want to represent, and I want to offer that representation that I needed growing up.”
Cimone has since worked on a rhythm and blues debut album, featuring samples from Sufi songs by her late father, as well as South Asian and Middle Eastern instruments.
“Displaying our identity musically is something I want to continue doing. It’s a really cool way to showcase the beauty that exists in the Muslim world, and I hope to provide representation in the most positive way.”
—
A series of special Ismaili Sounds compositions will be released to coincide with Mawlana Hazar Imam’s 65th Imamat Day. Be the first to hear about new releases – subscribe to our email updates, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
https://the.ismaili/global/news/feature ... -173435533
*******
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ek5fGCbr2oY
To coincide with World Music Day, The Ismaili is pleased to present The Ismaili Sounds: Jam Sessions, a platform to showcase live and mellow performances. The first release, “Ya Ali Madad [Reprise]” by The Sufistics, expresses the belief that adversities can be overcome by keeping one’s faith close by.
**********
The story behind The Ismaili Sounds
The Ismaili Sounds provides a platform for hundreds of music artists across the worldwide Jamat.
In May 2020, while the world was in lockdown, The Ismaili TV hosted a virtual Shukrana Concert to commemorate Eid ul-Fitr. To prepare, the organising team issued a call out for song submissions, hoping for a few hours worth of content. The response was overwhelming. A new platform was soon created to showcase the musical talent of the Jamat – and thus, two years ago this week, The Ismaili Sounds was born.
In a speech at the inaugural Aga Khan Music Awards in 2019, Mawlana Hazar Imam remarked that, “The cultural heritage of Islam has long embraced musical language as an elemental expression of human spirituality. Listening to music, practicing music, sharing music, performing music - have long been an intimate part of life for Muslim communities across the world.”
The Ismaili Sounds – an initiative born amidst the global pandemic – embodies and carries forth this historical tradition of musical expression, giving voice to hundreds of artists across the worldwide Jamat. In the process, it enables them to showcase their talents and touch the hearts of a global audience. The story of the project begins with a touch of serendipity.
“We wanted to get 3 to 4 hours of content,” explained Amina Dhrolia, who coordinated the Shukrana concert in 2020 and now leads The Ismaili Sounds. “While working on the timetable, we received 17 to 18 hours of content, which we weren’t expecting!”
Artists of different ages from over 20 countries submitted songs to be featured in the online performance and celebration, which took place over three days.
In recognition of the diverse artistic talent within the community, as well as the demand for such content, The Ismaili Sounds was officially launched in June 2020. It served as a platform to promote the talent of renowned and emerging Ismaili artists, to produce original devotional content in accordance with our beliefs, and to unite the global Ismaili community during a time of physical isolation.
“In the early days of Covid-19, we couldn’t perform or enjoy arts in-person, so we looked for a way to engage global artists and give them a virtual stage,” said Amina. “People told us the music was so uplifting during such an uncertain and anxious time,” she added. “In some ways, along with volunteers, these artists and their music got us through the pandemic.”
faisal amlani
One of these artists is Faisal Amlani, an Australian-Pakistani singer, composer, and musician. Faisal has released multiple songs on The Ismaili Sounds, including Dua-e-Reham, and a Sufi-Pop track, Ya Rehman Ya Raheem. As a teenager, he was fond of Pop music, and later became inspired by the qawwali genre after listening to the work of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
“I realised that I have a soft voice texture that suits Pop music but at the same time, I wanted my music to have more purpose and meaning to it. Pop music can entertain people, but Sufi music can provide relaxation to the soul,” said Faisal. “So, I thought, why not do something which entertains, shares a message, and provides relaxation to the soul at the same time? That’s how my genre, Sufi-Pop, came into existence.”
From renditions of Silver Jubilee geets, Arabic Nasheeds, and Pamiri folk music to Eastern-Western fusion songs, the tracks featured on The Ismaili Sounds are diverse in musical genres, languages, instruments, and styles.
Some compositions are performed by groups from the same region, like The Sufistics from the United States, the Khorog Band from Tajikistan, and the Pamoja Ensemble from Kenya and South Africa. Others, such as Tere Liye (For You) and Mawla Mera Ishq Tu, are multilingual works recorded across multiple countries. These collaborations illustrate the diverse talent of our community in various parts of the world, celebrate our differences and commonalities, and reflect the ethos of One Jamat.
Not only does the platform encourage experimentation with genres, but it also supports new and emerging artists, including youth and young adults.
Twenty-year-old Amisha Lakhani from Hyderabad, India, produced and released her first track on The Ismaili Sounds. The composition – an acoustic version of Allahuma Salli Aala, – was originally written and composed by Khairunissa and Fez Meghani in the United States during the Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Golden Jubilee.
amisha
“The Salwat by Fez Meghani was regularly played in my household,” said Amisha. “I was always a big fan and that made this task in itself very rewarding. I had to tweak a few guitar chords and keep re-recording until I recorded the perfect track.”
After it was released, Amisha said she felt elated. “I never expected such a heartwarming response from people around the world. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity,” she said.
The Ismaili Sounds has released over 65 tracks online via Youtube, Facebook, and Instagram. In the days ahead of special festivals, such as Salgirah, Navroz, or Imamat Day, songs are released more frequently. Whereas at first, the team approached artists to ask for content, the team now receives a regular stream of submissions from artists around the world.
One of these is Calgary-based singer and songwriter Cimone Rajan, a young musician currently charting her course. She has featured on various tracks for The Ismaili Sounds, including Heal a Heart and the Navroz composition, New Perfume.
Cimone is a 2019 graduate of Boston’s Berklee School of Music and holds degrees in Songwriting and Music Technology. She observed that The Ismaili Sounds platform holds significance because the spirituality of music can unify diverse groups.
Cimone
“Do you ever hear a song that moves you in a way that you can’t even describe? You just get this feeling inside and you don’t have the words for it, but it moves you. I see that as a spiritual connection,” she said. “There’s a reason why music is considered a universal language. It’s because everyone can connect to it and have an emotional response to it. That coming together is in itself something so spiritual.”
Growing up in North America, Cimone explained that she did not see enough representation of Muslim artists in the Western music industry.
“That very much affected the way I saw myself and my culture,” she said. “Now as an adult, having so much pride in who I am and in our community and in our culture, that’s something that I want to represent, and I want to offer that representation that I needed growing up.”
Cimone has since worked on a rhythm and blues debut album, featuring samples from Sufi songs by her late father, as well as South Asian and Middle Eastern instruments.
“Displaying our identity musically is something I want to continue doing. It’s a really cool way to showcase the beauty that exists in the Muslim world, and I hope to provide representation in the most positive way.”
—
A series of special Ismaili Sounds compositions will be released to coincide with Mawlana Hazar Imam’s 65th Imamat Day. Be the first to hear about new releases – subscribe to our email updates, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
https://the.ismaili/global/news/feature ... -173435533
*******
Eid e Gadir Ismaili Art by Nargis Mawjee 2022
For this Eid e Gadir, the artist Nargis Mawjee comes up with a series of pictures drawn pixel by pixel for extraordinary results. Look at her art in these two PDF files.
http://ismaili.net/timeline/2022/cahier ... ol25-1.pdf
http://ismaili.net/timeline/2022/cahier ... ol25-2.pdf
http://ismaili.net/timeline/2022/cahier ... ol25-1.pdf
http://ismaili.net/timeline/2022/cahier ... ol25-2.pdf
Future Ready Initiative Virtual Exhibition
Future Ready Initiative Exhibit
You are invited to explore an informative virtual 3D art exhibition on the Future Ready Initiative! The exhibition features submissions from around Canada, including music, testimonials, visual art, and spoken word that you can experience from the comfort of your home.
Click on "Start Tour" https://artspaces.kunstmatrix.com/en/ex ... exhibition to guide you through the galleries. Submissions with audio and video features can be accessed by clicking the arrow button at the bottom corner of the thumbnail. Look for this information icon when viewing each submission for more information.
Daily Diamond
"There are too many societies where too many people live in a culture of fear, condemned to a life of poverty. Addressing that fear, and replacing it with hope, will be a major step to the elimination of poverty. And often the call for hope to replace fear will come from the voices of Civil Society."
Mawlana Hazar Imam, Ottawa, Canada, February 2014
Wakhi Language Love Song From Hunza
"Puzuv Tozaesh Wost" - Wakhi Language Love Song From Hunza | Fazal Hussain | Raza Baig Raza | Mazuz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t94ES69Eqlg
Puzuv Tozaesh Wost
Heart comes alive
JollyGul.com presents a Wakhi language love song "Puzuv Tozaesh Wost" from Hunza written by Raza Baig Raza and sung by Fazal Hussain. Mazuz has done the music composition.
Raza Baig Raza is a poet and has written and recorded several poems in Wakhi language.
Fazal Hussain is a singer who sings in Wakhi and Urdu. This is his debut song. You rock Fazal! Let's have more songs from you.
Mazuz is a music producer, composer and instrumentalist with an expertise in working with a variety of genres and music styles. Mazuz has a specialty and passion in Central and South Asian music. He creates original contemporary music and his work ranges across various languages like Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Tamil, Persian and Wakhi. Mazuz also has a band called Shumol. Mazuz has great skills and interest in identifying and fostering emerging talent.
Wakhi language is spoken in the Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan, parts of Gilgit–Baltistan of Pakistan, Gorno-Badakhshan region of Tajikistan, and Xinjiang in western China.
JollyGul is a USA based independent not-for-profit organization with a mission to promote artists and spread the message of love, peace, tolerance and understanding through music of all genre to our global audience. Communicating through music across cultures, age groups and geography is an important part of what we do.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t94ES69Eqlg
Puzuv Tozaesh Wost
Heart comes alive
JollyGul.com presents a Wakhi language love song "Puzuv Tozaesh Wost" from Hunza written by Raza Baig Raza and sung by Fazal Hussain. Mazuz has done the music composition.
Raza Baig Raza is a poet and has written and recorded several poems in Wakhi language.
Fazal Hussain is a singer who sings in Wakhi and Urdu. This is his debut song. You rock Fazal! Let's have more songs from you.
Mazuz is a music producer, composer and instrumentalist with an expertise in working with a variety of genres and music styles. Mazuz has a specialty and passion in Central and South Asian music. He creates original contemporary music and his work ranges across various languages like Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Tamil, Persian and Wakhi. Mazuz also has a band called Shumol. Mazuz has great skills and interest in identifying and fostering emerging talent.
Wakhi language is spoken in the Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan, parts of Gilgit–Baltistan of Pakistan, Gorno-Badakhshan region of Tajikistan, and Xinjiang in western China.
JollyGul is a USA based independent not-for-profit organization with a mission to promote artists and spread the message of love, peace, tolerance and understanding through music of all genre to our global audience. Communicating through music across cultures, age groups and geography is an important part of what we do.