Introduction

The Shia Ismaili Muslims are a community of ethnically and culturally diverse peoples living in over 25 countries around the world, united in their allegiance to His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan (known to the Ismailis as Mawlana Hazar Imam) as the 49th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader), and direct descendant of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family).

 

Articles related to: Aga Khan Music Initiative

Homayun Sakhi, Salar Nader and Abbos Kosimov perform at the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby

Homayun Sakhi playing the Afghan rubab  with Salar Nader on tabla and Abbos Kosimov on the dayra. Photo: Sultan Baloo

Masters of the Afghan rubab, the tabla and the dayra gathered at the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby on 4 November, where they conjured the rich musical legacies of Central Asia. The event, which took place in collaboration with the Aga Khan Music Initiative, was prefaced with an address by the British Columbia Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.

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Musical conversation across cultures enthrals audience at the Ismaili Centre, Dubai

Remix 2011 artists bring magic to a musical evening at the Ismaili Centre, Dubai. Photo: Prime Vision Studios

Twelve inspiring and talented artists from across the Middle East and Central Asia performed a beautiful and thought-provoking concert at the Ismaili Centre, Dubai recently. It was an important occasion for both the Ismaili Centre and the Aga Khan Music Initiative, intent on bridging gulfs that have existed for the past hundred years.

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The Light Within sparks dialogue between musical traditions

The Light Within brought an eclectic mix of sounds to the ears — the tabla complimented the trombone, the bansuri flowed with the bass, the kamancha conversed with the clarinet, and the strings argued with the saxophone. Photo: Courtesy of The Ismaili UK

A performance at London’s Cadogan Hall by the Ismaili Community Ensemble earlier this year brought an eclectic mix of sounds to the ears — the tabla complimented the trombone, the bansuri flowed with the bass, the kamancha conversed with the clarinet, and the strings argued with the saxophone. Ensemble member Rabiyyah G. Raval shares her reflections.

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Kronos Quartet and Qasimov Ensemble come together at London’s Barbican Hall

 Photo: Courtesy of AKDN

In commemoration of the precious nights of Ramadan and the advent of Eid ul-Fitr, mystical harmonies from Central Asia and classical melodies of the Occident were performed before a distinguished audience at London’s prestigious Barbican Hall.

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Spiritual Sounds of Central Asia

Ulzhan Baibussynova and Ardak Issataeva play the dombra and sing traditional Kazakh songs. Photo: Aftab Chagani

A profile of the AKMICA sponsored concert tour in the USA which featured three musical traditions from Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. Each tradition displayed a common thread that linked the cultures with music that has been used to express social identity and preserve spiritual beliefs.

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