“Music has no boundaries”, say many, but this statement has been made stronger in Song of Lahore, Oscar-winning Pakistani filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s latest documentary, made with American filmmaker, Andy Schoken.
For many, music is a way of life. Pakistan’s infamous (because music was perceived as a lowly activity and was mostly discouraged) Sachal studios — a group of ardent music lovers, resorted to fulfilling their passion in a ‘glocal’ manner; by spreading their culture globally, while staying local.
Eventually, the competent artists had to bid farewell to their means of living, their music. Robbed of their culture because of the turbulent state of the country, music was treated as ‘haram’; instruments were broken and artists beaten up by the Taliban, yet the determined artists looked past the obstacles and worked towards their ultimate goal.
With the sole purpose of reviving Pakistan’s fading culture along with a need to be noticed internationally, because of a limited local audience, the group created buzz and generated visibility with their fusion of jazz and Pakistani classical music. This opened the doors to their music career and they soon secured their first big concert with renowned trumpeter Wynton Marsalis’ band.
Cultural exchange and understanding is depicted wonderfully in this riveting musical journey. Since the film’s basis is music, it is needless to say, the music delivered by the group is soothing and pleasurable. Music binds people and cultures together. This was reiterated in the film through an enthralling fusion in a section between the tabla and the drums.
Having said that, don’t go to watch this film for the music. It is not about music. Don’t watch this only because you’re a Pakistani. It is not about Pakistan. Watch this to see passion at its extreme best. The film is about the will to overcome obstacles to translate a dream into reality.
As is so poignantly said in the film, “It’s time to show the world, Pakistanis are artists, not terrorists”, and that is only one of the many beautiful messages Song of Lahore sends across.
Don’t miss it
Catch Song of Lahore at the Mall of Emirates on December 16 at 2.45pm.
