New Yorkers enthralled by Pakistani folk songs | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

New Yorkers enthralled by Pakistani folk songs

By Masood Haider

NEW YORK: Thousands of New Yorkers danced as singers and dancers from the four provinces of Pakistan presented folk songs and dances at a Sufi festival which opened at the Union Square here on Tuesday night.

Pakistan’s singing legend Abida Parveen literally mesmerised the audience as they stood on their feet and danced to the beats to ‘Lal Shahbaz Qalandar’ and Ho Jamalo.

New Yorkers returning home from a day’s work were surprised to see a song and dance extravaganza at the popular Union Square park and joined in the celebration.

“This is the real face of Pakistan, not soundbites you see on your television,” said Pakistan’s UN Ambassador Abdullah Hussain Haroon.

“We believe in peace, brotherhood and love. Individual acts of violence espoused by any minority cannot be allowed to define us all.”
Source: Dawn
Date:7/22/2010