amous Pakhtun philosopher, sculptor, painter and poet Ghani Khan says in his short but a very interesting book The Pathan that `a Pathan takes a lot of knowing` as he is `the most complicated simplicity`.

`I shall make him sing his love songs to you, so you may feel the throb of his heart,` this is how Ghani Khan feels a Pathan, called Pakhtun in Pashto, can really explain himself. Pakhtuns, addressed as Pathans by the British rulers, till today are a misunderstood people depicted by media as `militant` or `Taliban` in recent years.

`Khumariyaan a band of young Pakhtun musicians was born in the age of Talibanisation, sectarian violence, military operations and neo-imperialist expansions, in the region the city of Peshawar which is a gateway to the Central Asia,` the band states on its official fan page.

This band says that they are on a mission to enlighten the youth with all encompassing aesthetics and performing arts.

Music especially in this modern and divided world is an international language. Music helps connect nations and spread peace and love. It can bridge differences and distances.People from different regions can communicate through music. Khumariyaan, an instrumental band formed by educated Pakhtun youth halling from Peshawar, is doing just that.

They would be visiting the US next month under the US Department of State`s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs programme called Center Stage.Center Stage is an initiative aimed at developing peaceful relations between the US and other countries by promoting academic, cultural, sports and other exchanges. In collaboration with the New England Foundation for the Arts the programme connects foreign artists with American communities by organising month-long tours for international dancers, musicians and actors. Through performances, workshops, artistto-artist exchanges and community-level interactions, the programme demonstrates thepower of the performing arts to create goodwill at the grassroots, notes a blog of the USPakistan Leaders Forum about the Center Stage.

Khumariyaan will be touring the USin September and perform and interact with the local musicians in DC, Minnesota and Ohio.

The band comprising Farhan Bogra, Shiraz Khan, Amir Shafique andSparlay Rawail has been rocking music lovers wherever they go to perform irrespective of the language of the audience. They perform folk, rock and fusion. Farhan Bogra, who first got fameby playing Rabab in a song `O Qarara Rasha` plays Rabab, the life of Pakhtun native tunes.

Shiraz Khan is the percussionist and drummer of the band. He plays `Zeer Baghall` which is a Pakhtun music instrument almost extinct. Amir Shafique and Sparlay Rawail play guitars and bring in the Western tinge to the native tunes of the band. Through this combination of traditional and modern instruments, this band has been able to bring not only Pakhtun music but the culture into the regional and international mainstream.

Khumaryaan intoxicate their audience with the ethnic tunes and fast changing rhythms. The audience rejoices and becomes one with the symphony during the band`s live performances. They have been creating music since last couple of years. ExceptSparlay Rawail none of band members has received formal training in music, but their talent has been polished through continuous practice and passion for music.The Center Stage programme was initiated in 2012 and it is for the first time that a band of Pakhtun musicians is going to be on the Center Stage. `Arieb Azhar`, `Noori`, `Very Live`, and `Zeb & Haniya` have already availed of the opportunity to exhibit their talent on the Center Stage.

The Khumariyaan also dispel the impression that `Pakhtun love music but hate musicians` since this talented youth have been just following their passion because of their families` support.

The Pakhtun music, fairy-tales and folk songs (tappay) depict they have a tender heart. Pakhtun music is something which could bring the richness and sweetness of the Pakhtun life to the limelight. Khumariyaan with their intoxicating music would be truly representing the Pakhtun youth. They have a great responsibility to show to the world through their music and interactions with the musicians in the US that a Pakhtun is not any different from anyone born in the scenic Cockermouth (Lake District).

`When he sings of love his eyes grow soft and dreamy as yours do, for love and dreams are as universal as measles and fairies,` Ghani Khan says to the readers. The music of Khumariyaan has that very effect on the listeners.