Lahore’s Mughal-E-Funk and Meesha Shafi Collide in Energetic Rendition ‘Sakal Ban’

The dynamic fusion group from Lahore, Mughal-E-Funk, joins forces with the versatile Canadian-Pakistani artist Meesha Shafi to breathe new life into the traditional masterpiece “Sakal Ban,” originally composed by Amir Khusrau. Fusing electrifying electronic elements with their signature sitar-infused rhythms, the collaboration results in a captivating musical journey.

Set against a backdrop of mirrors, mist, and dancers from the Sway Dance Project, the music video for “Sakal Ban” emanates a mesmerizing aura. Meesha Shafi uses the song as a canvas to express themes of blossoming and growth. Mughal-E-Funk meticulously honed the track over three years, with sitarist Rakae Jamil and drummer Kami Paul laying the foundation. Bassist Farhan Ali and keyboardist/synth artist Rufus Shahzad contributed their talents, leading the band to recognize that Meesha Shafi’s voice would be a perfect match for the track’s melody.

Released through Pakistan’s Rearts Records, “Sakal Ban” follows the band’s prior offerings, including the 2018 EP “Sultanat” and the 2019 single “Jahangir,” both of which showcased their distinctive blend of soulful and funky fusion. Enriched with electronic nuances (with additional production credits to the young singer-producer Abdullah Siddiqui), Mughal-E-Funk embraces a new sonic dimension. “We firmly believe that this is our sound – it’s not just purely electronic; it’s electronic music crafted entirely from live instruments, truly embodying the essence of Mughal-E-Funk,” the band emphasizes.