“Khumariyaan is a derivative of the word khumaar (intoxication). The source could be anything — music, spiritualism, wine, love, drugs or even good food. We strive to have the same effect, if you will, with our music,” said the Peshawar-based band Khumariyaan. “And hence the name.”
The band has quietly and surely built a cult following in Pakistan. Their popularity extends well beyond their province, as they are regularly invited on tours to perform at colleges, music festivals and so on.
Soon, they will be travelling to the United States as a part of the State Department’s cultural diplomacy programme, Center Stage.
Through their music, which includes improvisations of well-known traditional Pashtun compositions from both Afghanistan and Pakistan, they seek to revive an interest in their cultural music and entertain audiences in the process. “We believe ours is a deeply meditative and intensely personal interpretation of traditional Pashtun music designed to relax and open new doors of realisation and understanding for our listeners,” said Khumariyaan.
