ISLAMABAD: The Folklore Society of Pakistan, in collaboration with the United States (US) embassy, hosted the Daniel Pearl World Music Day, a concert celebrating harmony for humanity, at the Lok Virsa Museum.

The event was part of an international network of concerts that use the power of music to promote tolerance and humanity. Since 2002, Daniel Pearl World Music Day has grown to include the participation of more than 11,000 performances in 129 countries. World Music Day is an awareness-raising programme promoting harmony for humanity.

Celebrating the diversity of Pakistani traditional music and its heritage of peace and understanding, the event showcased the Mohammad Azam ensemble, the Maatra percussive ensemble, Qurban Niazi and Uzair Jaswal.

Yasser Nomann, Director of The Folklore Society of Pakistan, said: `The musicians have been handpicked due to their mastery over their art and each of them has shared different types of pieces inspired by Sufi and folk music.

The programme began with the Mohammad Azam ensemble, where Azam Bakhshi, a descendant of Ustaad Bakhshi Salamat, performed two traditional pieces from Sultan Bahoo and Hazrat Amir Khusrau.

This was followed by the Maatra ensemble which brought to life three distinct traditional percussion instruments the classical Pakhawaj, the Nakaara or Zeel and the Tabla.

Farah Saadia, who emceed the event, said: `Music is intrinsically ingrained in human life. We are alive as long as our heart beats. Maatra is a Sanskrit word meaning beat and the ensemble uses its performance to demonstrate the varying ways in which percussion can be used to create music.

Yasser Nomann added, `These are dying traditions in Pakistan and Ustaad Allahlok is the last Pakhawaj player.

Each of the performers has received awards and recognition for their wonderful talent but many of our classical instruments are disappearing.

James Cerven, Assistant Cultural Attaché from the US Embassy, said: `The entire event was a tribute to cultural diversity and the rich traditions of music in Pakistan.

He added, `I love Coke Studio and contemporary music but am equally fascinated by the traditional instruments and musical disciplines here. Most people outside of Pakistan have no idea about how many lesser known instruments and their masters exist in Pakistan.

The Qurban Niazi ensemble also known as the Minstrels of Punjab presented Bulleh Shah`s kalaam while Uzair Jaswal`s band did a less modern, more Sufi performance in keeping with the mood of the event.

Amjad Khalil, who organised the first Daniel Pearl Concert in Karachi in 2002, said: `We started this in response to the brutal murder of Daniel Pearl in 2002. Since Daniel was a musician it was a commemoration of his life. This event is a continuation of that legacy.

Ammar Masood said: `In the course of my career I have had the opportunity to meet many of the great artists of Pakistan and to hear them perform. I can say with complete conviction that these musicians are extraordinarily talented and it is an honour for me and for anyone to hear and meet them.

In a very traditional setting, with carpets and cushions for seating, the lovely weather and the outdoors, Waqas Rafique tweeted during the concert, `Peace through music is a great tradition to cultivate! The organisers had arrangedforan openinternetconnection for the audience to share their views as the concert went on.

While all the performances were wonderful, the Minstrels of Punjab, stole the show. Their exuberant performance and lively music enthralled the audience and had everyone swaying to the rhythm.

James Cerven said: `The performance is about celebrating music, promoting tolerance and inspiring respect for others.

Music connects us at many levels.