Pakistan’s music talent is recognized worldwide: Samina Alvi
Zubair Qureshi
Pakistan’s talent in music is recognized worldwide and the country’s musicians, singers and vocalists despite limited sources and lack of opportunities have made their mark in different forms and genres of music.
This was stated by First Lady Samina Alvi at the Musical Grand Finale of Sarangi Season 5 organized by Serena Hotel Islamabad.
While announcing the final results, Samina Alvi congratulated the winners and wished them all the best for future endeavours.
Ali Baloch and Ghayas Haider were declared joint winners of at the star-studded ceremony.
The grand finale was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, business community and members of civil society, who gathered to listen to musical performances of the finalists.
Singer Shehzad Roy, vocalist Sarmad Ghafoor and CEO of Serena Hotels Aziz Boolani also announced the results.
The judges declared the contest a tie between Ali Baloch from Islamabad and Ghayas Haider from Lahore.
The event, held with full Covid-19 SOPs including social distancing and vaccination card checks, was attended by prominent members of the diplomatic corps, business community and Islamabad society gathered to listen to the musical performances and the announcement of the winner.
A call for submissions had been given earlier this year through Serena Hotel’s social media platforms as a result of which 5 talented contestants, hailing from diverse backgrounds and different parts of the country, were shortlisted for the grand finale.
The contestants also included Ayesha Afzal from Pakpattan, Adden Sohail from Faisalabad and Fida Mughal from Neelum Valley, Kashmir.
This year’s Sarangi jury panel once again consisted of renowned figures of the music industry including singers Shezad Roy and Zoe Viccaji and music producer Sarmad Ghafoor.
Sarangi is a Cultural Diplomacy initiative of Serena Hotels and aims to promote the arts and culture of Pakistan.
Since its inception in 2017, the Sarangi initiative has given a large pool of promising musical talent from around the country a platform to be discovered, polished and become the nation’s rising star.
Ayesha Rasheed from Lahore, who was the winner of Sarangi Season 4, also performed a powerful rendition of “Lambi Judai” on the occasion.
Shehzad Roy later said, “I am blown away by the talent that is to be found all over Pakistan.
It was a tough challenge for us judges to select only five people from the 50 shortlisted submissions, but we tried to do justice.”
“With the dearth of a proper music industry and opportunities for younger people, projects like Sarangi gives young musicians a platform to work towards and be heard on a larger platform.
The final prize, which is a song recording and music video, is so apt and something I would have truly valued when I first started pursuing music,” commented Zoe Viccaji via a video message.
CEO Serena Hotels Aziz Boolani, speaking at the occasion, said: “Serena has promoted the arts and intercultural activities to inspire a culture of peace and hope.
And we truly believe in giving recognition and platform to the emerging artists that need recognition.
I am grateful to the judges and the guests for coming together to support this initiative and encourage the creative talent that Pakistan possesses.”
