ARAB JOY PERFORMANCE WITH CAMBRIDGE TAKHT: We live in a cruel world that’s mad and unfair. Everyday I remind myself to be grateful that my basic needs for safety are met while so many in G a z a and across the Levant live in perpetual fear and without dignity. In the past year, music has been the main tool I channel my anxiety into actual steps towards self-realization. As a complete novice in the field, this has been facilitated by @cambridgetakht an anchor and community for the Middle Eastern diaspora in Cambridge. Not only have I learnt so much about the music of my heritage but I also found a family to come for collective well-being and relief. We had had since many concerts to fundraise for P a l e s t i n e, Syria and Turkey but this last concert in St Paul Church has been a true celebration of Arab joy. Being able to wear keffiyehs and dance dabke in a safe space is an immense privilege in today’s world where our culture is under literal attack. I want to remember and share these moments that give me hope amidst the horrendous footage that’s coming from G a z a. It’s not the best quality but that’s not the aim. Thank you @mido3000_00 for leading our musical ensemble and @joseph.ek for your insane energy leading the dabke. You will be truly missed.
I sang a medley that comprised first the song “Foq el Nakhl” from the Iraqi folklore and which was made popular by Syrian singer Sabah Fakhri. It translates to “above the palm tree” and usually refers to a good and positive state of mind.
The second song of the medley is called “Hadi y’a bahir hadi” and is a traditional Palestinian song in which the sea and other elements of nature are summoned to bring the singer back home, to the beloved land of Palestine.
The last slide is a clip of the audience dancing to our Palestinian folk medley, led by Narjes, where we sing together the songs “Y’a Zarif al Tool” & “Wayn aa Ramallah”. #music #livemusic #band #percussion #maqam #dabke #violin #oud #tabla