Page 15 - Pakistan Link - August 25, 2023

COMMUNITY PAKISTAN LINK - AUGUST 25, 2023 - P15
n By Ras H. Siddiqui Kaifi Khalil and Arsalan Rabbani Band song called Kana Yaari (Coke Studio,
California Season 14), and from then on, we were

he Bankhead Theater in Liver- Perform in Livermore, California hooked. In this song he collaborated
with the veiled Eva B and turbaned
more, California, is a relatively Abdul Wahab Bugti. The song cur-
Tsmall venue. It has seating for rently has many million views on You-
roughly 500 people but when popu- it locally was CNY Desi Entertainment including Atif Aslam, Ali Zafar, Ju- many came to see because he is fast Tube and has made Kaifi a known per-

lated by South Asians (Hasan Shaikh) with national pro- noon’s Salman Ahmad, Sajjad Ali, Ali becoming a sought-after artist. Kaifi former. And then came the superhit
it seems much larger. moter, Houston-based Rehan Siddiqui, Haider, Humaira Channa, and Fareeda Khalil is one of the latest sensations romantic Urdu language ballad Kahani
At least that is what media partner HUM TV Network, and Khanum, to name just a few. But seeing to emerge out of Coke Studio. From Suno 2.0, a collaboration with super-
it felt like on Friday, aided by Shahab Siddiqui, who inci- him perform solo here for a prolonged humble beginnings in a struggling sec- star Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, one which
August 18, 2023, as dentally is promoting an Atif Aslam period of time proved to be quite en- tion of Karachi named Lyari, Khalil has has sealed Kaifi’s success.
Desis from the San show in nearby Oakland on November tertaining. overcome many obstacles and odds to Kaifi Khalil’s performance at this
Francisco Bay Area 3rd while partnering with Instant Kar- Arsalan started off on piano with be able to come and perform for us event was limited but well worth the
and further inland came to listen to ma and CNY Desi. It was no surprise Wohi Khuda Hai a soulful ballad origi- here in Livermore. The rich and famous wait. He sang solo and played the guitar
two vocalists from Pakistan who are that representatives of all these outfits nally by the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan of Karachi do not live in Lyari and as a with little other support. Starting with
slowly making a name for themselves were here at the Livermore show. The and then proceeded to sing about 14 matter of fact not many of them even Kana Yaari and more than one version

here in North America. co-emcees of the event were Sohab more songs already made famous by re- care to venture there. It is a very densely of Kahani Suno interspersed with med-
The first amongst the two is the ver- Mushtaq and young Daanish Shaikh. nowned artists such as Arjit Singh, Rafi populated underprivileged community leys, he shared his talents to the delight
satile Arsalan Rabbani and the second, Going into a show with two rela- Sahib, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Sajjad made up primarily of Baloch, Sindhi, of the audience. What was surprising
a young sensation by the name of Kaifi tive unknowns can be considered risky, Ali, Arif Lohar, Abida Parveen and Atif Gujarati, and Kutchi speakers, along was that Kaifi did not even have to ask
Khalil. Both hail from different back- but coming out thoroughly entertained Aslam. And he performed all of them with the African origin Sheedi people the audience to sing along because they
grounds but a common factor amongst was a great feeling. Arsalan Rabbani well, while seeking audience participa- locally known as Makranis. They may were already doing that on their own.
them is in their launch at Coke Studio on vocals, accompanied by two band tion often. He ended his performance be poor, but they are plucky and resil- His performance here can be best de-
(Pakistan) which has incubated several members, one on keyboards and an- with Tajdar-e-Haram, a Qawwali made ient. And they have a passion for three scribed as short and very sweet. This
young singers and musicians. The Stu- other on guitar, put on a long, high en- famous by two generations of the Sabri things: 1) Football (soccer), 2) Good young man is just getting started and
dio has also developed a fan following ergy and very satisfying performance. clan and reproduced with great success Music, and 3) Progressive Politics. It is he possesses genuine talent. Hopefully,
in India and Bangladesh and within He is no stranger to the entertainment by Atif Aslam. If there was any doubt from this background that young Kaifi there will be more appearances by him
the South Asia Diaspora worldwide, industry but till now has mainly been in our minds whether Arsalan Rab- Khalil emerged – with demonstrable in California in the years to come.
thanks to YouTube. known as a backup or collaborating bani could carry a solo show, they were talent and abounding promise. (Our thanks to OnF Photography
But coming back to the event in musician. He has played music with erased here in Livermore. Kaifi first came to our attention with for permission to use their pictures for
Livermore, the main promoter behind and accompanied well-known artists The next performer is the one who his Balochi vocal delivery (Rap) in a this article)

Pakistanis Abroad Express Embassy informed the briefing that the innocent.” In a message for the ‘International even their lives. Hatred stirred on and
Frustration, Heartbreak over Jaranwala “the culprits have been identified and Day Commemorating the Victims of offline is often the cause.
(Continued from page 13) will be punished in accordance with ‘Faith should not attract violence’ Acts of Violence Based on Religion He added, “Together, let’s honor the
“We will raise this issue in the US Con- the law”. Meanwhile, the United Nations Sec- or Belief’, observed on Aug 22, Mr victims of violence by striving to build
gress, the United Nations and with the Pastor Azhar Alam of the Trinity retary General, Antonio Guterres, has Guterres said: “Faith and belief should a more inclusive, respectful, and peace-
US administration,” Victor Gill, who Church, Haddington Valley, Pennsyl- urged all governments to prevent and never attract violence. Yet, around the ful world — one where diversity is cel-
chairs the US-based Christian Voice vania, urged Pakistani Muslims not to address acts of violence based on reli- world, people and communities, par- ebrated.”
of Pakistan (CVOP) group, said at the react to allegations. “Don’t just blame gion and belief, stressing that freedom ticularly minorities, face intolerance, Anwar Iqbal in Washington and
briefing. and punish. Probe and prove first,” he of religion and belief is an inalienable discrimination and threats — to their Amin Ahmed in Islamabad also con-
A representative of the Pakistan said. “Do not victimize the weak and human right. places of worship, their livelihoods and tributed to this report. - Courtesy Dawn.
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