The Score Magazine September 2017 issue! | Page 27

PRAGNYA WAKHLU:
KAHWA SPEAKS
The idea
Kashmir has often been a misunderstood state as there is a lot of media
attention on the violence there. There is so much about Kashmiri culture,
traditions and music that remain concealed from the public eye. I have
always wanted to do something with my music with a dualfold approach
of understanding more about where I come from and also to introduce
the world to the positive side of Kashmir. That’s when the idea of “Kahwa
Speaks “evolved and I spent a lot of time doing research over the past few
years.
Pragnya Wakhlu (Guitar and vocals)
My endeavor with this album is to help audiences (both Kashmiri and non-
Kashmiri) across the world to experience Kashmir for what it inherently
is - a rich cultural state. To be introduced to the finer nuances of a forgotten
culture and history through an experiential show involving live music,
visuals and storytelling .It is an honest attempt at preserving the Kashmiri
language ,by creating memorable songs that pique people’s interest in
learning the language.
The music aims at spreading the message of peace and unity, strictly keeping
away from any political agendas.
The album has six songs:
Henzay- Return to peace - This is a form of Kashmiri singing called
Wanwun which is traditionally sung at weddings as blessings for the family
and bride. The kashmiri pandit style is more like a vedic chant and the
Kashmiri muslim style is slightly different. This song brings both styles
together in the same track.I've also added a lot of vocal harmony layers to
make it sound bigger and fuller.The lyrics are blessings for Kashmir.
Shailendra Wakhlu (lead guitar)
Hukus Bukus - The Riddle Hukus Bukus is a childhood poem that has it's
roots in Kashmiri shaivism. It talks about self identity and how we are all
made by the same creator.
Katyuchuk My love- Based on a poem written by Habakhatoon it is the
love story between the erstwhile poetess Habakhatoon and the 16th century
king of Kashmir Yusuf Shah Chak
Lalla's Lore- Lalla's Lore features two vaakhs(verses) by the poetess
Lalleshwari (fondly known as Lalded) and their translations in English. I
spent an afternoon with Mr. Jawaharlal Bhat(author of Lalded Revisited)
who helped me select and understand the meaning of the Vaakh's and then
I re-wrote the essence of the vaakh in English.This is also the first time in
India that this has been attempted.
Manoj Mavely (Drums)
Burning Fire- Burning Fire is written about a cause I feel really strongly
about - the injustice that is happening to the Tibetan community . The song
aims to bring awareness to the oft ignored and very critical issue of self
immolations .I felt the relevance of including it in this album for several
reasons. J&K consists of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh..Ladakh has a huge
community of Tibetans and I feel their forced exile is very similar to what
Kashmiri pandits went through earlier on.We've also released a music video
for Burning Fire which has been shot in Dharamshala with real refugees
and real stories.
Kahwa Speaks- The title track of the album speaks about how we can view
a cup of tea(kahwa) as a metaphor for life. Can we be sweet with our words,
fragrant with our actions and live together in harmony just as the different
elements of tea come together to create a beautiful brew?
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Brennon Denfer (Bass)
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