Dhrupad Virsa: A Musical Dialogue between Self and the Divine

Friday, 26 September, 2025 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM | SS Auditorium, Academic Block, LUMS

The Gurmani Centre for Languages and Literature hosted Dhrupad Virsa: A Musical Dialogue between Self and the Divine on Friday, September 26, 2025, at the SS Auditorium, LUMS, in collaboration with the Lutfullah Khan Sound Archive. The evening opened with remarks by Dr. Ali Usman Qasmi, who introduced the audience to the vision and significance of the Archive as a premier repository of South Asia’s literary, cultural, and musical heritage. Ustad Muhammad Hanif Khan then moderated the session, speaking about the cultural and spiritual importance of Hindustani classical music before performing on the flute, where his melodic recitals highlighted the meditative depth of the tradition.

The performances continued with Ali Hafeez and Labraiz Afzal, young inheritors of the Taalwandi Gharana, who presented Dhrupad with devotion and discipline, along with Ayesha Nadir Ali, who added to the musical flow of the evening. Accompanied on the Pakhawaj by Qamar Abbas, the performances offered the audience a rare experience of Dhrupad’s grandeur and resonance, drawing warm appreciation and affirming the enduring relevance of this tradition and the role of the Lutfullah Khan Sound Archive in sustaining it.