LAHORE: British Council Pakistan and Humnava, a Pakistan-based global music platform, have launched Isekta, the eighth song from Humnava’s first season, during a cultural event held at the British Council Library in Lahore.
The event brought together artists, cultural leaders, creative professionals and music enthusiasts to celebrate artistic collaboration and cultural exchange through music. The launch also coincided with the 10th anniversary of the reopening of British Council libraries in Lahore and Karachi.
Guests attended a special listening session, screenings from the Humnava project and a panel discussion focused on inclusion, language, cultural exchange and the role of music in connecting communities across borders.
Ben Lawton, Deputy Director of British Council Pakistan, said the organization’s arts and culture initiatives aim to build creative global communities that encourage innovation, inclusion and collaboration. He described Humnava as an example of how music can create opportunities for cultural dialogue while showcasing Pakistan’s creative talent to international audiences.
A song inspired by memory and connection
Isekta, an Arabic-language track written and composed by Bakrin Timlfati, explores themes of longing, memory and emotional connection. The song combines acoustic guitars, traditional percussion and layered vocals to create a reflective and immersive musical experience.
Curated by Xulfi and Sherry Khattak, the track features vocals by Bakrin Timlfati, Eliza Khan and Shahid Hussain. The music was arranged by Xulfi, Sherry Khattak and Bakrin Timlfati, while Xulfi also served as producer and mixing engineer.
The song includes contributions from international and Pakistani musicians, including Amine Laroug, Muhammad Hunaid, Melvin Arthur, Dorian Jonas Goetsch, Adnan Karim and Xulfi. Its music video was filmed at Passu Ground in Hunza.
Humnava promotes global artistic collaboration
Speaking about the project, Humnava curator and producer Xulfi said Isekta represents the idea of a souvenir — a memory carried long after a moment has passed. He noted that the song was recorded on the final day in Pakistan for some of the participating artists, making its themes of farewell and remembrance particularly meaningful.
Humnava Season 1 has brought together more than 30 musicians and collaborators from Pakistan and around the world. The platform aims to promote cross-cultural collaboration while highlighting Pakistan’s diverse landscapes, languages and musical traditions.
The evening also featured discussions on music as a tool for inclusion, cultural preservation and innovation, as well as the role of creative platforms in introducing local stories and sounds to global audiences.
Isekta is now available on YouTube, Spotify and other major streaming and broadcast platforms.
Also Read: Humnava Releases its Seventh Song, Koi Achi Khabar – A Reflection on Chaos and Hope
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