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Virsa-e-Dhrupad: A Musical Dialogue between Self and the Divine

Virsa-e-Dhrupad: A Musical Dialogue between Self and the Divine

September 26, 2025

Time:

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

SS Auditorium, Academic Block, LUMS

The Gurmani Centre for Languages and Literature invites you to an enchanting evening of classical music, featuring rare recordings from the Lutfullah Khan Sound Archive. As South Asia’s most extensive repository of literary, cultural, musical, and intellectual heritage, the Archive offers an unparalleled window into the region’s artistic traditions. No other audio library in South Asia matches the scale, richness, and uniqueness of this remarkable collection, which serves as an invaluable resource for scholarship, learning, and community engagement across disciplines.

Dhrupad is the oldest and most profound form of Hindustani classical music — a music of meditation and majesty. Rooted in ancient Vedic chants, it celebrates the purity of raga and the power of rhythm. From the historic land of Taalwandi in Punjab, the Taalwandi Gharana has preserved this form across centuries, with Ustad Hafeez Khan and Ustad Afzal Khan carrying it forward.

This special evening will feature:

Ustad Muhammad Hanif

Ustad Muhammad Hanif currently teaches music at LUMS. Trained under Pandit Chandan Das, Ustad Parvez Paras, and later Ustad Hafeez Khan of the Taalwandi Gharana, his flute recitals combine the depth of Dhrupad with the fluidity of Khayal, marked by expressive meendh and volume control. Performing professionally since 1998, he has appeared on leading national platforms including PTV, APMC Lahore and Karachi, LMF, Al-Khayal Music Society, and NAPA, as well as representing Pakistan internationally. His recent ventures include performances for Takiya Online, Artists United, The Dream Journey, and Sarb Akal.

Ali Hafeez & Labraiz Afzal

Young inheritors of the Taalwandi Gharana, Ali Hafeez and Labraiz Afzal, carry forward the legacy of their forefathers with devotion, discipline, and a deep commitment to keeping Dhrupad alive for new audiences.

Ayesha Nadir Ali

A vocalist trained in classical and semi-classical forms, Ayesha Nadir Ali’s renditions of Kafi and classical bandish weave poetry and melody into sensitive expressions of devotion.

Qamar Abbas (Pakhawaj)

Qamar Abbas will accompany on the pakhawaj, the ancient percussion instrument integral to Dhrupad, adding both grandeur and rhythmic resonance to the performance.

Add to Calendar 2025-09-25 14:01:48 2025-09-25 14:01:48 Virsa-e-Dhrupad: A Musical Dialogue between Self and the Divine The Gurmani Centre for Languages and Literature invites you to an enchanting evening of classical music, featuring rare recordings from the Lutfullah Khan Sound Archive. As South Asia’s most extensive repository of literary, cultural, musical, and intellectual heritage, the Archive offers an unparalleled window into the region’s artistic traditions. No other audio library in South Asia matches the scale, richness, and uniqueness of this remarkable collection, which serves as an invaluable resource for scholarship, learning, and community engagement across disciplines.Dhrupad is the oldest and most profound form of Hindustani classical music — a music of meditation and majesty. Rooted in ancient Vedic chants, it celebrates the purity of raga and the power of rhythm. From the historic land of Taalwandi in Punjab, the Taalwandi Gharana has preserved this form across centuries, with Ustad Hafeez Khan and Ustad Afzal Khan carrying it forward.This special evening will feature:Ustad Muhammad HanifUstad Muhammad Hanif currently teaches music at LUMS. Trained under Pandit Chandan Das, Ustad Parvez Paras, and later Ustad Hafeez Khan of the Taalwandi Gharana, his flute recitals combine the depth of Dhrupad with the fluidity of Khayal, marked by expressive meendh and volume control. Performing professionally since 1998, he has appeared on leading national platforms including PTV, APMC Lahore and Karachi, LMF, Al-Khayal Music Society, and NAPA, as well as representing Pakistan internationally. His recent ventures include performances for Takiya Online, Artists United, The Dream Journey, and Sarb Akal.Ali Hafeez & Labraiz AfzalYoung inheritors of the Taalwandi Gharana, Ali Hafeez and Labraiz Afzal, carry forward the legacy of their forefathers with devotion, discipline, and a deep commitment to keeping Dhrupad alive for new audiences.Ayesha Nadir AliA vocalist trained in classical and semi-classical forms, Ayesha Nadir Ali’s renditions of Kafi and classical bandish weave poetry and melody into sensitive expressions of devotion.Qamar Abbas (Pakhawaj)Qamar Abbas will accompany on the pakhawaj, the ancient percussion instrument integral to Dhrupad, adding both grandeur and rhythmic resonance to the performance. SS Auditorium, Academic Block, LUMS LUMS Drupal 8 adil.sarwar@lums.edu.pk Asia/Karachi public