The Gurmani Centre for Languages and Literature, in collaboration with the HSS Department, presented a classical musical performance of Dhrupad on the occasion of the AAS in Asia conference held at LUMS. The event offered a deeply soulful exploration of the classical heritage of the region.

The session opened with remarks by Ayesha Nadir Ali, who introduced the audience to the rich history of Dhrupad as a traditional art form of the subcontinent. She provided a detailed introduction to the Talwandi Gharana Musicians, highlighting them as one of the rare contemporary lineages that have successfully preserved and continued this rigorous musical tradition. After setting this historical and cultural context, she formally introduced the evening’s featured performers.

The musical proceedings commenced with Alya Rasheed, who captivated the audience by singing the kalam of Bhagat Kabeer, followed by a moving bhajan. Subsequently, Ayesha Nadir Ali performed a traditional taranah that culminated in a profoundly soulful musical composition. The evening concluded with a masterful presentation by the Talwandi brothers, Ali Hafeez Khan and Labraiz Afzal Khan. The brothers performed classic raags and taranahs specifically associated with the Dhrupad singing style. Expertly accompanied on the pakhawaj by Qamar Abbas and on the tabla by Aneel Abbas, their presentation demonstrated immense devotion and disciplinary mastery of the craft.

The gathering provided attendees with a rare, spiritually resonant experience of Dhrupad’s grandeur, serving as a memorable cultural highlight of the AAS-in-Asia conference and reaffirming the Gurmani Centre’s commitment to sustaining South Asia’s cultural legacy.