KARACHI: Shaan-e-Pakistan brings the second edition of the Shaan-e-Pakistan Music Achievements Awards (SEPMA) with a Digital Musical Summit that clubbed together Pakistan’s most prominent music prodigies under one roof. The three-month-long SEPMA event, led by Huma Nassr, will go global, bringing together musicians of all genres, providing them with opportunities to be heard internationally.
The Summit in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad kicked off with a white carpet that musicians, producers, and other moguls of the industry walked before entering the event. Due to the nature of the current world situation, all SOPs such as social distancing, wearing face-masks, and hand-sanitization were done upon each guest’s arrival by Team SEPMA.
In Karachi, the conversation took place at Cafe Koel and was hosted by actor and host, Hira Hussain. Alongside her, Shaista Lodhi, Sidra Iqbal, and Faizan Haqquee acted as moderators for the discussions.
Some of the biggest names in entertainment were invited to speak at the Summit, they include Javed Sheikh, YBQ, Omar Omari, Saqib Malik, Ali Tariq, Alizeh Valjee, Saif Samejo, Irfan Pardesi, Ali Ashraf, Rasikh Ismail, and Faakhir Mehmood. The Summit began with a welcome note, followed by speakers who discussed music-centric topics such as:
- The Future of Music in the Digital Age
- Legacy of Music – Sur aur Kahani
- Role of Music in Performing Arts
- Music in Brands and Marketing
- Evolution of Music in Films
- Importance of Justice and Compassion in Society through Music
- The Future of Music Post COVID Pandemic
- The connection between Music and Mental Health
- Evolution of Music in the Digital Era
- The connection between Food and Music
- The importance of the Music Industry to the Government
- The subsidization and budget of international music
The Lahore line-up included Shafqat Amanat Ali, Seemi Raheel, and Shahzad Nawaz. In Islamabad, Shahnaz Minallah, Naeem Zamindaar, Dr. Masuma Anwar Bangash, Abbas Ali Khan, Ali Ashraf, Arieb Azhar, and Sarmad Ghafoor participated at the Summit which took place at Eco Haveli on Peach Street.
On occasion, Huma Nassr, stated, “This is the first digital Shaan-e-Pakistan Music Achievement to rise during these difficult days of a global pandemic. Music connects all areas of life, and SEPMA connects and collaborates with all industries to raise the cultural milieu of Pakistan and Shaan e Pakistan internationally. Of course, music connects all, and SEPMA mixtape volume 2 shall bring forward more original music by talented Pakistani musicians.”
SEPMA 2020 aims to repeat its best practices of the previous year, bringing together the Pakistan music fraternity to celebrate the diverse works of singers and musicians from all parts of the world. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the organizers will use different mediums to get the word out for the Summit with a more substantial focus on digital media. On-ground events are continuing as planned with the proper safety procedures being put in place. The SEPMA team has re-strategize the award show to be engaging and entertaining, despite severe on-ground restrictions.
IMM and Geo Kahani are the official media partners with Talking Point on board as the official PR company for SEPMA 2020. The musical Summit can be viewed on media partners’ channels and Shaan-e-Pakistan’s official YouTube channel. Among the leading strategic partners supporting Shaan-e-Pakistan with gusto are NOVA Color, Social Squad headed by CEO Fahd and Aisha, Koel Gallery by Noorjehan, and Aqeel Bilgrami, Irtiqa Hassan Interiors PVT Ltd., Soul Sanctuary, Wok Asia, EMI Pakistan, Interlink Multimedia and The Poet Restaurant.