Praneeta Mahajan
Hamilton, January 31, 2024
Since time immemorial, music has always had the power to transcend boundaries and captivate hearts. With technology gaining a stronger presence in our everyday lives, the connection with music has only grown more global and vivid.
Every artist now has the advantage of a global arena, with a plethora of music lovers, ready to applaud every rhythm and beat that touches their heart and the 2024 Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts, scheduled from February 23, 2024, to 17 March, 2024 brings this concept to life with an impressive line-up of acclaimed international artists, world premieres and trailblazing contemporary arts experiences.
The velvety and hauntingly beautiful vocals of American Pakistani artist, Arooj Aftab is ready to mesmerise the audience in Aotearoa, where she is loved and revered for her artistic brilliance.
Fusing an array of genres from jazz to Pakistani semi-classical, her talent is unique in more ways than one. Ms Aftab will perform tracks from her internationally celebrated album ‘Vulture Prince’ plus music from her new album.
Combining tradition and innovation in a way that is nothing short of sublime, Ms Aftab has created a unique place in the global music scene for herself and her craft.
About the Artist
Boundary-breaking artist Arooj Aftab became the first Pakistani to win a GRAMMY, taking home the award for Best Global Music Performance for her rendition of “Mohabbat” in 2021.
A singer, composer and producer, her spellbinding music defies easy categorisation and seamlessly fuses traditional Sufi and Hindustani classical sounds with jazz, folk and trance.
Ms Aftab’s album, Vulture Prince, showcases her velvety and hauntingly beautiful vocals and was described by ‘Pitchfork’ as a “heart-breaking, exquisite document of the journey from grief to acceptance.”
The album’s title track “Mohabbat”, was named as one the best songs of 2021 by Time and The New York Times. Audiences are in for a real treat as Ms Aftab performs tracks from Vulture Prince as well as new music from her upcoming album.
Sung almost entirely in Urdu, accompanied by acclaimed bassist Petros Klampanis and virtuoso guitarist Gyan Riley, the emotional pull of Aftab’s music is universal.
About the New Zealand Festival of Arts
Established in 1986, the biennial Festival is renowned for delivering leading arts experiences to Te Whanganui-a-Tara for almost forty years. The programme features free and ticketed events including dance, music, theatre, visual arts, literature and more.
Creative Director Marnie Karmelita says, “We are back with a global programme which spans the spectacular, joyful and truly breath-taking. This Festival will unite artistic giants with exciting new voices and showcase some of our best-loved performers.”
Wellington NZ General Manager for Events and Experiences Warrick Dent says the Festival is one of the highlights in a summer packed full of events in the capital.
“We cannot wait to welcome artists and visitors to Wellington who are spoilt for choice with such an outstanding programme. The Festival is also much beloved by locals and adds so much richness and life to the city. It is one of those events that contributes greatly to the city as a cultural and creative hub.”
Praneeta Mahajan is an Indian Newslink reporter based in Hamilton.
