Karachi, 26 Nov.: Oxford University Press Pakistan and the Consulate General of Germany in Karachi organized ‘Sufi Night’ which included the launch of the bookSaints and Singers: Sufi Music in the Indus Valley, writtenby Peter Pannke, followed by a performance of mystical music by Qawwal Najumuddin Saifuddin and Brothers.
Published by Oxford University Press,Saints and Singers is a personal travelogue through the music and the culture of the Indus Valley as presented by the German writer and musician, Peter Pannke and photographer, Horst A. Friedrichs, in 1997. When Peter Pannke first travelled to Pakistan in 1969, what he discovered was not only the music but also the words and images, the colours and customs which make up the extraordinarily rich cultural tapestry of the Indus Valley. While travelling up and down the Indus during his second visit to the country in 1997, Peter Pannke found the music to be even richer and more varied than he had remembered. He met the musicians himself, recorded their songs, and listened to their stories. This interaction resulted in a book written in German and published in 1999. The volume launched at the event is an English rendition of the work. Since then, not only has the appearance of some of the Sufi shrines changed, but also many of the musicians portrayed in this book have passed away. By documenting and preserving all of this material in the book, Peter Pannke has provided an invaluable record of the Sufi music tradition in the region.
Peter Pannke is an independent writer and composer settled in Berlin. For twenty years he directed a world music show at radio SFB/RBB. As musician and producer, he has made more than eighty CDs and LPs. A profound connoisseur of oriental music, Peter Pannke has played an important role in the cultural dialogue between Europe and the East. In addition, he has several publications to his credit, including articles in various journals.
Using a combination of text, photographs and music, Peter Pannke, in his presentation on the book, took the audience on a journey to the heart of the Sufi traditions, music, and culture. Earlier, Dr Tilo Klinner, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany welcomed the guests, introduced the author, and spoke about the expanding cultural ties between Germany and Pakistan. In her address, Ameena Saiyid, Managing Director, Oxford University Press Pakistan, said that Peter Pannke has written a book that is sure to capture the reader’s interest. “It will also no doubt enhance your enjoyment of Sufi music in the two CDs that come with the book”, she further added. Later in the evening, the guests were treated to a Sufi musical feast by Qawwal Najumuddin Saifuddin and Brothers, also known as Qawwal Bachchon ka Gharana of Delhi, who have through the generations preserved many of the qawwali compositions which were played at Nizamuddin Auliya’s khanqah. Their enthralling performance included a rich repertoire of rare forms of classical qawwali music.
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