Kuch Khaas: Musical Evening with Aliya Rasheed & Violinist Ustad Raees Part-l

Aliya Rasheed, a visually challenged dhrupad singer, is an inspiring example of how even amateur singers can perfect their musical skills by learning with strict training and discipline. Aliya has been blessed by Allah with a tuneful voice and she gratefully utilized this gift of God by starting to learn music at the age of six. She received extensive training in music at the Sanjan Nagar Institute of Philosophy & Arts (SIPA), Lahore. SIPA's founder Barrister Raza Kazim appreciating her talent persuaded her in 2001 to go to India to learn Dhrupad -- the oldest surviving style of medieval Indian classical music that has a rich devotional element. (Dhrupad was the dominant form of vocal music until the 18th century when khayal, a lighter, faster and a more florid form gained popularity.) Aliya went to India and took residence at the Dhrupad Institute in Bhopal. She spent a period of four years under the training of the renowned Gundecha Brothers under the age-old traditional system of guru-shishiya parampara (Ustad-shagird silsila). Since her return from India, Aliya has been performing at various concerts. She is teaching at the NCA Musicology Department as well as imparting her musical knowledge to school children. Aliya will be accompanied on pakhaawaj by Ustad Allah Lok, one of the few remaining pakhaawaj players in Pakistan. Another rare artiste, Ustad Allah Lok, has preserved the traditional percussion instrument of pakhaawaj alive by his dedication and effort. Ustad Raees Ahmad Khan, the violin virtuoso of Pakistan, who has been awarded 'Pride of Performance' also be performing at the event!