Song of Lahore

Once known as the cultural capital of Pakistan, Lahore used to attract music lovers from around the globe. When a stringently Islamic regime came to power in the 1970s, people began to shun music and the old stars were forgotten. Nonetheless, the musicians continued to play their beloved instruments behind closed doors and shared their knowledge with their children. Studio owner Izzat Majeed set out to revive this musical tradition by reuniting them and mixing traditional melodies with jazz influences. After their recording of “Take Five” has become an Internet sensation, the musicians receive an invite to perform at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York. In this moving documentary, the musicians prepare for the trip with complete dedication. We follow the tabla player who joins his elderly father in the orchestra, the flutist who builds his own instruments, and the conductor who wishes to honor his deceased father with a memorable concert. The trip to New York is the icing on the cake, but also poses challenges: can they live up to peoples’ expectations?