The Sketches

Saif Samejo, the architect of Lahooti, embarked on a journey of Sufi music by forming a band of his own known as The Sketches. Without any prior training in music, Saif began his musical journey in 2001. Even though he did not have a formal training, but he had an understanding of distinct, mystic folk sounds that had an everlasting impression on his auditory perception. This quality beautifully shaped the identity of The Sketches, as this organic essence of the band was visible in their first album Dastakari, which was indeed a breath of fresh air amid the mainstream music of Pakistan. This new approach towards Sufi Music not only empowered indigenous musicians and artists, but also empowered people of these areas to stand up for their rights, be it education, honoring their land or claiming their traditional culture values to unite for a collective cause. The Sketches have been successful in creating a personal philosophy, which allows them to liberate music from its conventional...