"I don't want perfect. Perfect is boring.”

In this episode of This Being Human, host Mai Habib chats with Mekaal Hasan, a renowned Pakistani musician to discuss his lifelong journey of connecting the worlds of traditional South Asian music with more contemporary genres like rock, jazz, and fusion.

Growing up in Lahore, Pakistan, Mekaal was heavily influenced by his father, a music critic and a columnist. In 1995, he graduated from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, and returned to Pakistan where he founded the Mekaal Hasan Band in 2001.

Mekaal’s mission is to create music that connects cultures, lifts up other artists, and preserves tradition while redefining what Qawwali music can look like.

The Museum wishes to thank Nadir and Shabin Mohamed for their founding support of This Being Human.

Links & Resources:

• This was just one example of Muslim art that sparked curiosity and a great conversation. There is so much more to see at the Aga Khan Museum. Support the museum's vision to impact lives and contribute to more inclusive and peaceful societies. Go to agakhanmuseum.org to plan your visit or make a donation.
• Watch this video episode on YouTube.
• Visit Mekaal Hasan’s website and watch his band on YouTube.
• Mekaal Hasan | Aga Khan Museum
• Why Mekaal Hasan refuses to live in the past

Key Moments

0:00 Introduction to This Being Human and Mekaal Hasan

2:57 Mekaal’s time at the Berklee College of Music

7:53 Breaking down barriers through music

11:20 The cultural shift between 1990’s Pakistan and today

15:35 Honouring Qawwali legend Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

20:18 Comparing Eastern and Western music and performance styles

25:32 The future of the Mekaal Hasan Band

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