SEMPA 2020 concludes after last spell in Karachi

KARACHI: Brainchild of Huma Nassr, Shaan e Pakistan Music Awards (SEPMA) 2020 were initially scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka. Almost all of the arrangements and participants were finalized prior to the pandemic. However, just when the event was about to commence (March 21, 2020), it was postponed due to Covid-19. Nevertheless, the team was determined to carry the proceedings forward and they did so. They awarded local musicians from all over Pakistan and beyond, individually. Starting from Lahore earlier this month, the last leg recently came to an end in Karachi this week.

SEPMA 2020 acknowledged the work of Karachi-based musicians at SEP House, the Shaan-e-Pakistan Production House in Karachi. The White Carpet saw these artists expressing their gratitude and hoping to do better in the coming years.

WINNERS

Best Pop Music: Ali Tariq for ‘Ek Raaz Ki Baat’

Best HipHop Music: Mooroo for ‘Sach Sabaq’

Best Individual Musician: Gumby (Drummer)

Best Traditional Music: The Sketches for ‘Ishq da Kalma’

Keynote speaker for the evening, Mr Fahd Nassr spoke about the importance of music and how we should be promoting the music of Pakistan. The ceremony ended with the CEO Huma Nassr’s heartfelt note where she thanked everyone and shared her long journey with SEPMA 2020.

Some of the defining moments of SEPMA 2020 include The Drum Circle Music festival that aimed to transcend borders. It brought Pakistani musicians together for a virtual show to highlight the best in musical achievements. Music Summits wereheld in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad where musicians and maestros shared their journeys with music and SEPMA. New tracks were introduced, such as ‘Ishq Na Manne’ by Hamza Akram Qawwal and SEPMA 2020 taraana, with vocals by Javed Bashir. Besides, musicians self-nominated themselves as well and a jury decided on the winners. SEPMA 2020 awarded musicians digitally and followed all the SOPs owing to the current pandemic.