New York, August 2023: SEPMA International USA, the renowned cultural platform initiated by CEO and founder Zille Huma and dedicated to promoting music and recognizing talented artistes the world over, held the grandest and most anticipated event of the year – Jashn-e-Sepma — the first Pakistani festival to be held in Hampstead Town, New York. A delegation of 27 Pakistani stars which included a bevy of pop, rock, and sufi singers including Komal Rizvi, Raga Boyz, and Ayesha Omar, and celebrity hosts Alyy Khan and Cybil Chaudhry, led by spokesperson SEPMA, Shanaz Ramzi, represented Pakistan on the grand occasion. Celebrating Pakistan Day as well as the 7th anniversary of Shaan-e-Pakistan, this extraordinary festival was a captivating fusion of art, music, and culture, all under one roof.
As Zille Huma opened Jashne Sepma Music Awards happening for the first time in the USA she introduced not only the diverse music talent of Pakistan to the US but also laid the groundwork for business opportunities and Business Awards adding it to the chart of the upcoming JASHNE SEPMA. The objective of holding the awards and the festival in New York, the most happening state of the US was to promote cross-border collaboration through music, fashion, and art depicting our part of the world — especially the neighboring countries of Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh – and opening doors for business and opportunities to them.
Beginning with stalls selling various local products to entice visitors – of which the one that drew the maximum footfall and sales was by Ayesha Omar selling her beauty and skincare range – followed by a riveting performance by Raga Boyz, speeches by representatives of Hampstead Town and Zille Huma’s partners in SEPMA Foundation USA, Shanaz Ramzi, and Zille Huma, the first segment of the event, hosted by Alyy Khan and Cybil Chaudhry ended with citations being presented by the town to Alyy Khan, Komal Rizvi, Ayesha Omar, and Shanaz Ramzi.
The second segment of the highly entertaining programme comprised fashion presentations, performances, and awards. With the House of Braahti by Zille Huma showcasing its Mumtaz collection dedicated to the royal Mughal era, presented in a unique theatrical style, complete with singing, dancing, and violin-playing, the show had enthralling performances by Komal Rizvi who also sang unplugged, Ayesha Omar and Raga Boyz, and a dance performance by Saima Azhar. Among those to don the exquisite collection were Cybil Chaudhry, Saima Azhar, Ayesha Omar (show stopper), and Uroosa.
SEPMA 2023’s recipients were – Komal Rizvi (Best Sufi-poprock Icon), Alyy Khan (Best International Icon) and Ayesha Omar – (Woman of Inspiration) Celebrating diversity, creativity, and unity, Jashn-e-Sepma plans to become a bi-annual affair and has already announced its intentions to hold a similar event in Pakistan in September and to honor ten sensational music award winners, to be adjudged by highly-respected local and international jury members. These 10 awards of SEPMA will be announced along with NFAK (Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Award) – a special lifetime award — in September. Hence, all musicians of Pakistan get ready to bring your own music tools and let the Jashan be unplugged soon! Stay tuned for more info!
Zille Huma’s message:
We thank our supporters who always stand with my vision to serve the country and give back to the community. We believe in great hospitality when it comes to Shaanepakistan untiringly working for Culture, Art, Fashion, Tourism, and the Music cause and movement. We are thankful for all the generous support we have received from everyone from various sectors and industries but to name a few who never fail to advocate our platform, I would like to especially thank Pakistan High Commission USA, Shaadi Kay Laddoo, Marriott, Sufi Social Adult Day Care, Pharmacy We Care, NorthLandZ, Kababjees, Central Ave Auto Repair Valley Stream, Guidance Metro Reality, Car Dealers and Healers, Real Discount Store, Real Estate. My special thanks to all media whether print, digital or channels that have always been supporting us the world over.
Thanks for the Generous Support for the vision of #SEPML (Shaan-e-Pakistan Music League) JASHNE SEPMA 2023
About SEPMA:
SEPMA International USA is a prestigious cultural platform that is committed to promoting music and recognizing the exceptional talents of musicians worldwide. With a vision to foster cultural exchanges and celebrate diversity, SEPMA strives to bring together nations through the universal language of music and arts.
Huma’s special request to Pakistan Army is to support SEPMA and to the government to support Pakistani musicians and help set up a fund for the music industry so as to start SEPMA Music School and create SEPMA Pakistan Music League (SEPML)
