Pakistani musician seeks the realm of Sufi

In contrast to young musicians who seek contemporariness in their music these days, a budding artist explores the Sufi quatrains of mystics.
Umer Piracha, a composer based in America, reaches into his roots deeply embedded within the rich soil of Pakistan, a place he will always call home.

Humsafar Natawan (My companion)
Bey-khabar meherbaan (Naïve and kind)
Kaisey pohanchey hum yahaan? (How did we get here?)    
Banjar zameen, banjar zamaan? (To this barren land, this barren world)

‘I think living abroad allows you to make greater sense of your native identity that automatically translates into inspiration’. It’s especially true these days. We are in a constant process of deciding how to be fully authentic in a world with so much smoke and mirrors. I recently wrote a song called ‘Irtiqa’ (translated as ‘Evolution’) that explores the tension and hope for change based on discrimination towards minorities in Pakistan. I was not raised as a minority, but feel a sense of responsibility to explore universal ethics. The work is an electronic/acoustic layering that uses my vocals as texture.”

Terey siwa mera kuch nahin (I have nothing save you)
Bey-zameen (No land)
Ajnabi mera jahaan (The world is strange to me)
Bey-imaan (I’m faithless)

Growing up in Multan, Piracha has within him, an entrenched motivation to journey towards the depth of his Sufi belief. The strength from where it stretches out propels him to discover diverse school of thoughts, to eventually arrive at a place he calls his own.

“The most important thing for me is learning how to avoid getting caged by origin, while finding inspiration in it, because western artists are free to make art about anything of interest, but the roots of Indo-Pakistani heritage are ancient; and the emotional connotations of our poetry are so deep that if artists decide to do something else, questions about belonging and authenticity spring up. So for me, it’s a journey of balancing my Sufi roots being from Multan, and inspirations I’ve found in evolutionary sciences: psychology, philosophy, and even Buddhism etc, and arrive at a place I can call my own centre, and create my own meaning. I strongly support the philosophy of pursuing individual authenticity; it can differ from person to person, but for me it makes life worth living.”

Tujh pe kitni zinda laashein qurbaan (Many soulless bodies could be sacrificed for you)
Mein kahan? (I’m just one amongst the many)
Tera dil terey shaheed terey nishaan (For your heart, your martyrs, your signs)
Tu kahan? (You are one for the many)

A more acoustic-heavy vocal/guitar work in Urdu, Humsafar Natawan, explores a sense of alienation that youth may relate to in Pakistan, along with a sense of relief that comes with companionship in these times in a culture that thrives on bonds between people. Shared sorrow is easier, and sometimes, there’s a glimpse of joy of happiness.
“I was raised speaking Urdu and Punjabi, and feel so fortunate to be a part of the richness that comes from it. Every time I sing in Urdu, my voice has more warmth in it…and pathos. So maybe there’s nostalgia in being far away from the land, yet knowing it won’t be the same if one were to return.”

Some of his other works such as Seven Thousand Years, explore the philosophies of Sufi poet Omar Khayyam. The Depths, although sung in English, is also inspired by the famous Sufi mystic Rumi, whose shrine Piracha lived at for a month in 2005 in Konya.

“My hometown Multan and Konya both share a similar energy,” he said and then went on to eulogise his heroes of inspiration. “The lyrical traditions of Bulleh Shah and Amir Khusro, captured in the Qawwali of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Abida Parveen, is art that’s closest to my heart, and I hope to channel that kind of passion and energy in my work.”

Currently working on his 10-track album, which features five English and five Urdu songs, Piracha juggles the complexity of the emerging world with the colour and hue of ancient traditions, which he finds jarring and beautiful at the same time.

“I live in constant fascination of the universe and human behaviour and this is my way of incorporating that into sound and reaching out to a diverse audience. When travelling becomes possible, I’d love to perform in Pakistan, and connect with friends I’ve made in my native land. These are exciting times.”