Desert Whispers زمزمه های دشت – Performance by Elyas Alavi and Local Musicians

The musical performance led by Elyas Alavi was a blend of cultural heritage, historical narratives, and artistic expression. It was held on 4th November at Alhamra Art Centre and was attended by 220 guests which also included staff of British Council Pakitan. It explored themes of migration, displacement, and the shared histories of cameleers from South Asia and Australia. Elyas Alavi began with a land acknowledgment, connecting the event to ongoing global struggles, including the plight of various displaced communities.

Elyas shared a poem he had written in Farsi, narrating his experiences of work with Afghan cameleers in Australia. This piece illuminated the hardships faced by these pioneers as they transported goods across remote terrains, only to be excluded from societal acceptance. The poem emphasized their resilience and connection with Australia’s First Nations people, who shared a history of colonization and marginalization.

The performance featured traditional instruments, especially rubab, symbolic of the cultural fusion brought by Afghan cameleers to Australia. Amir Singhari played the Afghan rubab, Kashif Javid performed on the sitar from Chitral, and Shafaqat Ali handled the tabla, reflecting North Indian traditions. Vocals by Ishtiaq Hussain complemented the instrumental ensemble.

The visual backdrop featured footage from Alavi’s journeys through outback Australia, documenting interactions with descendants of cameleers and indigenous communities. This multimedia approach deepened the audience’s understanding of historical and cultural intersections. Overall, the performance served as a platform for reflection on identity, history, and belonging. The event was a testament to art’s power to foster understanding and preserve historical memory.