Sufi Rufi
We have depended on the Sufi culture and old poems to influence our music.
Pakistani rock is not evolving. It is still stuck in that Sufi-influenced culture. The Pakistani music industry is not big enough to make its own record labels and make Sufi rock apparent in the world, it is important enough that we have to make it better.
We need some secularism in the songs, in the Mazars, and in the hearts of people. I know you might be wondering how can there be secularism in art when it is not a secular culture. Well, that is exactly why we need secularism in Pakistani art because the artists influence culture and vice versa.
Faris Shafi is someone that comes to mind when sweeping through the records for thought-provoking material.
I don’t mean to say that there is no space for Sufi rock, we just have to decide if we have to use our time in making more art that influences progress or uses our precious time making renditions of stuff already made.
Now, as we do with everything, we have to look outside for influence, but this time it is not the West but Africa. Look at Mdou Moctar from Niger or Tinarewan from Algeria and what they are doing with soul-rock. With new and fun riffs, interesting drums they have totally changed the game of the rock industry. We need music that we can jam and dance to if the Sufi bands want to make it big in the international scene. I emphasize the responsibility o Sufi rock because they have the capacity to build into something transforming.
Look at how big Mdou Moctar has made it, I don’t think any band has made it that far with the exception of Poor Rich Boy, but that’s a different ball game!
Our Darveshes and Sufis need more color and funk in their lifestyle. I know it is a divine thing to be in the Sufi Rock business it is still a ‘business’ treat it like that and bring new ideas rather than new people.