Don’t miss this FREE FirstWorks Summer Beats concert at the Roger Williams Park Boathouse Lawn, 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, 02907
July 25, 6:00 pm 2025
(Rain date: Same date inside the Roger Williams Park Casino)
Khumariyaan, upon receiving prestigious accolades in Montana for being the best folk, hails from Peshawar, Pakistan. This is a group whose foundation evolved organically, as it attracted its greatest musicians. Likely one of the only wildly successful band who received its name Khumariyaan from its fans. The name Khumariyaan means, “Intoxicators.”
Motif RI had the distinguished opportunity to speak with founder Farhan Bogra, Sparlay Rawail, as well as the esteemed Executive Director of FirstWorks, Kathleen Pletcher. Other original members of the band include Aaner Shafiq and Shiraz Khan.
As near as Rhode Island and even further than the Middle East, FirstWorks serves audiences with international artistic delicacies for over 21 years. This organization strategizes to activate public spaces with invaluable performance art at no cost to the seat holders. Additionally, FirstWorks offers opportunities inside public schools.
Regarding Khumariyaan’s return to Rhode Island, Kathleen Pletcher speaks to the current global climate. There is a “hunger for people to gather in joy, feeling a surge of people to meet each other in understanding.” Pletcher elaborates that Khumariyaan creates a space that is not a political rally, while still a transformative community experience.
As far as a group named by their fans, Khumariyaan has proven to be more than intoxicators. They can even began to create a trance amongst the audience, individually and collectively. Even trances in dances. Trance dances.
When Farhan Bogra speaks, it becomes clear that, while Khumariyaan is not a political band, it is filled with ambassadors. He peacefully acknowledges how their heritage is often misinterpreted, cliched, and stereo-typed. Yet, they seem quite invincible. “We have quite thick skin.” As far as the Khumariyaan music, “You have to be made of stone not to feel it and take home stories about us and make a soul connection.. Now more than ever is [the time] to show kindness.”
The band Khumariyaan was receptive to the comparison to the universal reviews of the newest release of Superman, regarding the kind element. As a band, they offer that they have received the most kindness here in the United States, and that they are willing to return to Pakistan and some areas of Afghanistan and share stories of positive interactions with U.S. citizens. Khumariyaan seems to be willing to put in a good word for the true people of the United States.
Khumariyaan is dedicated to keeping old languages alive, as well as original instruments. Farhan plays the rubab, which is the “great, great, great, great, great grandfather of the guitar.” It has deep Pushtan roots. A main mantra for the group is “Khusal osey,” which means “be happy.” At this amazing concert, they will teach, learn, offer, receive, and audiences will participate. Kathleen Pletcher relishes in the generational diversity of a FirstWorks Providence Khumariyaan audience. “There might be a son introducing a 100 year old father and then a baby right nearby.” Pletcher and Khumariyaan jointly credit Center Stage U.S. for their connection to each other and to Providence.
As far as the intoxicating experience enjoyed by all on July 25, Sparlay explains that Khumariyaan forces audiences to remember them. They were BEST IN FOLK in MONTANA 2025 and they genuinely want to listen to your story. Khumariyaan “fortifies the idea that music can bring people and cultures together.” Sparlay goes on to explain that the audience will be fed the melody and the band and the audience will becomes “joint collaborators.”
For those who attend, please weigh in on the surprise twist shared by Sparlay Rawail. According to Sparlay, the music of Khumariyaan most resembles (drum roll) the music of Pink Floyd. We must identify the connections between Khumariyaan and Pink Floyd in order to solve all of the problems of the universe and/or enjoy a lovely night out. Take note of rain date, inside the Casino.
Come dance, enjoy the trance, let Khumariyaan intoxicate and educate us all.