KARACHI: The first spell of the second edition of international Shaan e Pakistan Music Awards (SEPMA) 2020 kicked off in Lahore earlier this week. The award ceremony took place on Monday at Poet’s Cafe in Lahore. The brainchild of Huma Nassr, SEPMA 2020 rose above circumstances in a bid to honour musicians across Pakistan. Despite the hindrances and delay caused by the pandemic, the initiative kept up with the spirit and gave credit where it was due. SEPMA 2020 awarded artists in 13 genres of music with 78 nominees, in addition to 3 special mention awards.
Winners
Child Music category: Syeda Hadiya Hashmi
Best Composer: Sahir Ali Bagga
Best Lyricist: Bayaan (music band)
Best Rock Music: Mustafa Zahid
Best EDM Music: Umer Farooq (‘Pari’)
Best Indie Music: Shamoon Ismail (‘Rok Le’)
Best OST Music: Rahat Fateh Ali Khan (Mere Paas Tum Ho)
Best Jingle (TVC): Hadiqa Kiani (‘Abhi Tau Mein Jawaan Hoon’)
Special Mention Award for promoting Global Recognition of Pakistan: Atif Aslam
The 3 Special Mention Awards at SEPMA 2020 acknowledged remarkable work of artists in the music industry. Atif Aslam received one for promoting the global recognition of Pakistan, Xulfi for promoting the young talent of Pakistan while Meesha Shafi won for being the Music Icon of the generation.
Music maestro Abida Parveen won the Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Lifetime Achievement Award at SEPMA 2020. Irfan Pardesi, the founder of Zee Foundation and Executive Producer of Shaan e Pakistan, presented the award to Abida at her residence in Islamabad.
The evening also featured an unplugged performance by Shahzaade Ali. Besides, there was a Kathak performance on Shafqat Amanat Ali’s song ‘Channan’. Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan, who was an integral part of the first edition (last year) as well, revealed the SEMPA 2020 award. He and ace Qawwal Javed Bashir have stood in solidarity with Shaan e Pakistan throughout. Keynote speaker Mr Shahzad Nawaz spoke at length about the significance of music and how important it is to promote it across Pakistan.
Watch: Pakistani Musicians Share their art during pandemic
Well-known music aficionados Mian Yousuf Salahuddin, Mr Kamran Lashari, the CEO of Interwood Mr Omer Farooq and the CEO of Golden Pearl Mr Sheikh Abid along with Amir Qureshi and Huma Nassr were in attendance. In addition, a large number of nominees and presenters were also present at the ceremony. Watch this space for details on remaining awards that will be distributed to three artists based in Karachi. The ceremony will air on Geo Kahani in addition to Shaan e Pakistan social media handles.
