Photos (and Video): Arif Lohar Rocks the House at Asia Society New York

April 30th, 2012

Punjabi singer Arif Lohar sold out two concerts at Asia Society New York on April 27 and 28, 2012. (Elsa Ruiz/Asia Society)

Singer Arooj Aftab (C), accompanied by Jorn Bielfeldt (L) and Bhrigu Sahni (R), opened the show at Asia Society New York on April 28, 2012. (Elsa Ruiz/Asia Society)

Fozia, a member of Arif Lohar's ensemble, warmed up the crowd next with a trio of more pop-oriented songs. (Elsa Ruiz/Asia Society)

Lohar opened with "Qissa Mirza Sahiba," a recital in which he was accompanied by only one of his instrumentalists. (Elsa Ruiz/Asia Society)

Dhol player Shehzad Azim Ul Hassan (L) made sure the crowd was on its feet and moving for two nights running. (Elsa Ruiz/Asia Society)

A Village Voice review noted Lohar's "sly movie-star charisma," and his playful stage moves met with roars of approval from the audience. (Elsa Ruiz/Asia Society)

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UPDATE: You can now watch the complete concert from Saturday, April 28, 2012 here.

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Asia Society New York's concerts featuring Pakistani musical icon Arif Lohar and Pakistani American singer Aroof Aftab soared to euphoric heights for two nights running this past weekend. On both Friday and Saturday nights, a sold-out auditorium clapped, swayed, and most of all danced to Lohar's signature contemporary take on traditional Punjabi songs.

Press reaction to the concerts has been equally enthusiastic, with Richard Gehr of the Village Voice singling out Lohar's "increasingly delirious" marathon rendition of his hit "Alif Allah Chambey di Booti" as a particular highlight. (For those who were there, or not, Gehr's piece also has a complete set list for Friday night's concert.) In the New York Times, Jon Pareles cited Lohar's "superhuman lung power" and the music's "visceral drive." Pakistan's Nation reported that Lohar's "commanding presence on the stage ... connected with the excited audience members who roared their approval with thunderous applause."

Saturday's program was also webcast live to an enthusiastic global audience. For those who missed it, that complete concert is now available online on AsiaSociety.org.

Lohar and Aftab's two concerts were part of Asia Society's ongoing initiative Creative Voices of Muslim Asia, made possible by support from the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art. The shows were also the final stops of a six-week American tour made possible by Caravanserai: A place where cultures meet, a series of residencies and tours designed to bring contemporary artists from the Muslim world to American audiences.

Download the program notes