In this episode, we delve into the life and career of Kazem Abdullah, exploring his path from a clarinetist to a prominent conductor. We will discuss his notable achievements, including his tenure as Generalmusikdirektor in Aachen, Germany, and his pioneering work in bringing contemporary and diverse repertoires to traditional concert halls. Kazem's work with American operas and his efforts to expand the American repertoire will be highlighted, showcasing his dedication to both classical and modern music.

You can learn more about Kazem's work at kazemabdullah.com

To fill out our listener survey, go to agakhanmuseum.org/tbhsurvey

If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more, go to agakhanmuseum.org/thisbeinghuman

This Being Human is a new podcast by the Aga Khan Museum. In every episode, host Abdul-Rehman Malik interviews an incredible person at the top of their game on Muslim art, culture, history, and society. They'll explore everything from prayer and pilgrimage, politics and pop culture, love and education, feminism, and film, sports and music, and so much more. Through deep, thoughtful conversation, this one-of-a-kind podcast hopes to bridge divides, dispel myths, and learn things we didn’t know about the kaleidoscope of the Muslim experience.

This Being Human is produced by Antica Productions. The Museum wishes to thank Nadir and Shabin Mohamed for their leadership support to develop and produce This Being Human.

This Being Human is a new podcast by the Aga Khan Museum.

This Being Human

This Being Human is a podcast by the Aga Khan Museum and TVO. In every episode, host Abdul-Rehman Malik interviews an insightful guest about Muslim art, culture, history and society. You’ll hear fascinating explorations of everything from prayer and pilgrimage to politics and pop culture, love and education, feminism, film, sports, music, and so much more. Through deep, thoughtful conversations, this one-of-a-kind podcast aims to bridge divides, dispel myths, and allow us to learn things we didn’t know about the kaleidoscope of Muslim experiences in our world today.

This Being Human is a podcast by the Aga Khan Museum and TVO. In every episode, host Abdul-Rehman Malik interviews an insightful guest about Muslim art, culture, history and society. You&rsquo;ll hear fascinating explorations of everything from prayer and pilgrimage to politics and pop culture, love and education, feminism, film, sports, music, and so much more. Through deep, thoughtful conversations, this one-of-a-kind podcast aims to bridge divides, dispel myths, and&nbsp;allow us to&nbsp;learn things we didn&rsquo;t know about the kaleidoscope of&nbsp;Muslim&nbsp;experiences in our world today.

Kazem Abdullah: Conducting Change in Classical Music

Nasir Sirikhan and Abdul-Rehman Malik discuss Nasir's viral wedding dance video and the joy and connection it brought to millions of viewers. They talk about the origins of QuickStyle and how Nasir, Suleiman, and Bilal met and formed their dance crew. Nasir shares the emotional journey of performing and the camaraderie among the group. They also discuss the influence of hip-hop and their love for music in their dance style. 

Nasir Sirikhan, a member of the dance crew Quick Style, discusses his background growing up in Oslo as a Thai Pakistani kid and the diverse cultural influences he experienced. He explains how Quick Style Studio was born and how they decided to build community by teaching dance to young students. Nasir Sirikhan discusses the power of dance to connect people and break down barriers. He shares his experiences of witnessing love and unity in different cultures and how it has shaped his perspective. Nasir also reflects on his personal growth as a dancer and artist, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and finding his own unique style. He describes dance as a spiritual practice that allows him to connect with his emotions and find strength and hope in difficult times. Nasir and Abdul-Rehman Malik discuss the significance of movement in human expression and the role of dance in bringing joy and inspiration to the world.

Nasir Sirikhan and Abdul-Rehman Malik discuss Nasir's viral wedding dance video and the joy and connection it brought to millions of viewers. They talk about the origins of QuickStyle and how Nasir, Suleiman, and Bilal met and formed their dance crew. Nasir shares the emotional journey of performing and the camaraderie among the group. They also discuss the influence of hip-hop and their love for music in their dance style. 
Nasir Sirikhan, a member of the dance crew Quick Style, discusses his background growing up in Oslo as a Thai Pakistani kid and the diverse cultural influences he experienced. He explains how Quick Style Studio was born and how they decided to build community by teaching dance to young students. Nasir Sirikhan discusses the power of dance to connect people and break down barriers. He shares his experiences of witnessing love and unity in different cultures and how it has shaped his perspective. Nasir also reflects on his personal growth as a dancer and artist, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and finding his own unique style. He describes dance as a spiritual practice that allows him to connect with his emotions and find strength and hope in difficult times. Nasir and Abdul-Rehman Malik discuss the significance of movement in human expression and the role of dance in bringing joy and inspiration to the world.

Nasir Sirikhan’s Philosophy of Dance

In this episode we sit down with renowned contemporary artist Faig Ahmed, celebrated for his revolutionary approach to traditional Azerbaijani carpet weaving. Faig’s work transcends cultural and artistic boundaries, creating a unique dialogue between the ancient and the modern.

We delve into his artistic journey, exploring the inspirations and creative processes behind his avant-garde masterpieces. Faig shares how he deconstructs and reimagines centuries-old patterns, blending historical craftsmanship with contemporary artistry to challenge our perceptions of tradition and modernity.

Join us for an enlightening conversation as we uncover the profound cultural significance of Faig’s work and the message he hopes to convey through his transformative pieces.

In this episode we sit down with renowned contemporary artist Faig Ahmed, celebrated for his revolutionary approach to traditional Azerbaijani carpet weaving. Faig’s work transcends cultural and artistic boundaries, creating a unique dialogue between the ancient and the modern.
We delve into his artistic journey, exploring the inspirations and creative processes behind his avant-garde masterpieces. Faig shares how he deconstructs and reimagines centuries-old patterns, blending historical craftsmanship with contemporary artistry to challenge our perceptions of tradition and modernity.
Join us for an enlightening conversation as we uncover the profound cultural significance of Faig’s work and the message he hopes to convey through his transformative pieces.

Faig Ahmed Melts Tradition with His Mind-Bending Rugs

In this episode of This Being Human, Abdul-Rehman Malik sits down with Aanchal Malhotra, author and oral historian, to explore the emotional legacies of the partition of India and Pakistan. Aanchal shares personal stories, insights from her books "Remnants of Separation, In the Language of Remembering, and The Book of Everlasting Things, and reflects on the importance of documenting personal histories. Join us as we delve into the human side of history and its impact on our present and future.

To learn more about Aanchal's work, you can check out aanchalmalhotra.com or museumofmaterialmemory.com.

To fill out our listener survey, go to agakhanmuseum.org/tbhsurvey.

If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more, go to agakhanmuseum.org/thisbeinghuman.

Kazem Abdullah: Conducting Change in Classical Music

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