The video rendition of the song “honours 60 years of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s glorious Imamat,” says Sulaiman Merchant, “and offers an expression of deep gratitude through the musical voices of Ismaili artists from all corners of the world.”

 

The first of many devotional songs that are expected to be released in the course of commemorating this milestone anniversary, the music video features dozens of Ismaili musicians and singers from Australia, Canada, India, Iran, Kenya, Pakistan, Tajikistan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. They perform in a variety of settings, singing in different languages and playing a range of musical instruments.

 

“In making this video, we wanted to show the diversity of talent in the Jamat, and demonstrate the harmony and strength that comes from joining together,” says Salim Merchant. “And the beauty of that diversity can be seen and heard in the final production.”

 

For the Merchant brothers, the song is also part of their personal commitment to nurture a living tradition of devotional music that appeals to a new generation of Ismaili youth.

 

“When you think of Mawla’s Silver Jubilee and Golden Jubilee, it is impossible not to recall the loving lyrics and tunes of geets from Silver Melodies, Shaan-e-Karim and so many others that spring to mind, a lot of them also composed by our dad, Sadruddin Merchant,” says Sulaiman. “Music has always been part of how the Jamat celebrates its love and devotion for the Imam.”

 

Salim adds that “this tribute brings that tradition forward in a way that mirrors the reality of the Jamat of this Jubilee — an Ismaili community which is more global and more connected than ever before.”

 

“It is a precious tradition,” he says, “and it is our privilege to help carry it forward.”