ISLAMABAD: Instrumental musicians touched countless hearts when they took the sound of music to the streets over the weekend.

The passionate force behind their instrumental music was like the much-needed saving grace the capital city needed since the gloomiest past year. Performing at Kohsar, in Jinnah Super’s Gol market and F-11, musicians from Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) reminded listeners that music can be used as a remedy to uplift the spirit while it perseveres through hardship.

The live performances, which started at 6pm and continued till 8:30pm, were organised in collaboration with the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the office of the deputy commissioner Islamabad, said PNCA Director General Dr Fouzia Saeed.

“I’ve always believed that creative arts belonged to everyone and not just the elite who can get into pompous auditoriums. So, we have decided to brighten up the nights every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Ramazan and see how it goes,” she said, thanking the CDA and the DC’s office for their cooperation.

They wanted us to start immediately, she said, elaborating on what PNCA calls its ‘post-Covid strategy’. PNCA plans to celebrate both traditional folk music and rare instruments throughout this year under the theme ‘Celebrate Pakistan’.

Nonetheless, while Ali Raza on santoor accompanied by Sajawal on tabla serenaded listeners at Kohsar, Jahangir with his violin accompanied by Sarfraz on tabla dazzled audience in Jinnah Super and Amoos on his tabla complimenting Afzal on flute lifted spirits in F-11.

The musicians will perform at three more venues including the Food Street, F-10 and in F-6 Markaz.

“Instrumental artists will be performing in all these places soon. The idea of playing instrumental music is not to accumulate crowds.

“However, we would like everyone to appreciate their skills and their talents and the beautiful Pakistani music as we embark on another journey to revive appreciation for it,” Ms Saeed added.

PNCA has a lineup of 30 instrumental musicians whose musical careers have influenced the local music scene, and they stand as testaments to the power of musicians who influence and change the world.

“Their compositions felt like celebration, tunes we have admired for so long but seldom get to hear,” a listener in Kohsar said. “It’s a good way to start spring,” another listener said.

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2021