CSMS Hosts Grammy-Winning Artist in Sold Out Concert: Arooj Aftab

This week, Columbia’s Center for the Study of Muslim Societies, in collaboration with the Qalam Pakistan Initiative at the History Department, hosted Arooj Aftab in an unforgettable concert. 

Video Credits: CSMS 2022

This genre-bending Pakistani artist seamlessly wove together jazz, neo-Sufi, Hindustani, and minimalist styles at Manhattan’s Symphony Space, where tickets sold out within minutes.  

Aftab’s work features original composition and production.  She blends lush strings, like the harp and violin, with ethereal synthesizer and grounding bass lines.  

Aftab has also been lauded for her unique and tranquil voice.  She incorporates traditional South Asian vocal techniques like skilled ornamentation into enchanting melodic modes.  

Delicate lyrical artistry compliments Aftab’s original compositions.  Her 2021 best-selling single, “Mohabbat,” brings to life poetry by the celebrated Urdu-language poet, Hafeez Hoshiarpuri.  This international hit won her a Grammy for 2022’s “Best Global Music Performance” and a nomination for “Best New Artist.”  

Aftab’s award-winning album, Vulture Prince, demonstrates her triumphant entrance to the global music scene. CSMS looks forward to welcoming more performers like Aftab, whose artistic innovation transcends geographical borders and boundaries between genres.

Event Still, Arooj Aftab, CSMS 2022

Artist’s Social Media:

Event Poster, Arooj Aftab CSMS, 2022