Do you ever have a song, an idea, a storyline, or an image stuck in your head? And it just refuses to go away? For some time at least? I have this with music—it could be a song, an instrumental piece, a jingle, etc. This becomes my ‘now’ song, and the “nowness” (pardon my English here) could be for any length of time.
My now song is “Kangna” by Fareed Ayaz and Abu Mohammad. Do watch the video and listen to the song before you read the rest of the post.
One of my colleagues, AS, is an amateur musician. Thanks to him, I get to listen to a wide range of music and though not all the genres are unfamiliar, some of the artistes definitely are, like this one.
Fareed Ayaz and Abu Muhammad are brothers and qawwali singers from Pakistan and this short 16-minute piece in Raga Malkauns is mind-blowing, particularly the first 4 minutes. I have always found Raga Malkauns to be sombre and serious, but this rendering was so different—mischievous and light-hearted. I also like the way some Farsi lines have been woven with the traditional brajbhasha lyrics. And I am amazed how Fareed Ayaz is able to sing with a mouth full of paan !
I like this song so much that I am listening to this song even as I type out this post. Thanks, AS, for recommending this song 🙂
My Favourite Things 
This was a great way to start a dreary Monday morning. I thoroughly enjoyed Raag Malkauns – one of my more pasandida ragas, this one. Thanks
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Glad you enjoyed it, Meera 🙂
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Interesting confluence of cultures, lands and religions. Coke studio has managed to throw up a few lovely surprises. Thanks for sharing this gem.
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Welcome here, Subhorup, and thank you for stopping by and commenting. The Pakistan Coke Studio is fantastic in terms of range and quality and I have’discovered’ some absolute gems by Meesha Shafi, Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan, Arif Lohar. Do check out their music-its mind-blowing.
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Slightly simpler stuff, but have you heard an act called Maatibani? Look them up, I enjoyed their approach, and thought you might too.
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I love Raga Malkauns and it was hard to resist this. Just looked up Maatibani and just listened to their Boondan Boondan. Nice. Will listen to them at leisure.
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Enjoying…. 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing!
Love this!!
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Glad you enjoyed it, Magiceye. It is kind of addictive, isn’t it?
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i thought its mtv coke studio (even they have produced some exceptional fusions).
loved this one. brilliant. copied the video url 😀
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It IS MTV Coke Studio, but the Pakistan version, which in my opinion, is miles ahead of the Indian version. Glad you loved this one. Keep listening 😀
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A real gem. White the vocals are traditional, the accompanying music instruments are not!
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Yes ! And that’s what makes it so refreshing 🙂
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even though i know nil/nada about classical (read:hindustani) music..i still appreciate your passion about this genre. have fun.
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Welcome here, Ganesh, and thank you so much for stopping by and commenting. I hope that you will keep visiting.
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enjoyed this one. thanks for sharing 🙂
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You’re welcome, Sujatha. I am pleasantly surprised to find how many people have enjoyed this piece. 🙂
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Awesome. Thanks awfully for sharing. I loved listening to it and will be listening some more.
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I love this piece as well as so many other performances at Pakistan Coke Studio. Try Meesha Shafi and Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan and Arif Lohar. I think you’ll like them 🙂
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Currently of of my ‘now’ pieces and my six year old son’s ‘now and only’ piece.
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