This week’s Jumeraat Jaam brings together two living traditions whose lineages stretch back centuries: the Khwajasira guru-chela system of South Asia and the Shamchaurasi gharana of classical music from Lahore. We are honoured to host Hina Baloch and Shahzadi Rai, political organisers and co-founders of Sindh Moorat March (Pakistan’s first trans pride), in a conversation about identity, survival, politics, and joy. After their dialogue and an audience Q&A; — enjoyed informally over pizza and drinks — we welcome Shujat Ali Khan, who will share songs carrying the legacy of his family’s 500-year Shamchaurasi gharana tradition. Together, these voices reflect the resilience, beauty, and artistry of South Asia — a contrast and unity that celebrates both struggle and creativity.
■ Hina Baloch is a Khwajasira political organiser, Chevening Alumna, and co-founder of Sindh
Moorat March — Pakistan’s first transgender pride. Holding a Master’s in Gender Studies from SOAS, University of London, her work spans academia and activism, engaging deeply with gender, culture, religion, and politics. With a sharp focus on the global rise in transphobia, her praxis centres resistance, relationality, and the urgency of reimagining futures for trans and gender-diverse communities.
■ Instagram/Twitter: @surkhina
■ Shahzadi Rai, based in Karachi, is a leading transgender organiser whose decade-long activism addresses HIV prevention, citizenship rights, and violence against trans persons. As co-founder of Sindh Moorat March, she has worked tirelessly to end violence and discrimination against trans people, and today serves as a member of Karachi’s Mayoral Cabinet — a historic role for Khwajasira leadership in Pakistan.
■ Shujat Ali Khan is an acclaimed Eastern classical vocalist from the Shaam Churasi gharana in Lahore, one of the most renowned musical families in South Asia with a 500-year history. A maestro in classical, thumri, ghazal, and qawwali, Shujat’s honeyed voice has captivated audiences worldwide. Mentored by his father, Ustad Sharafat Ali Khan, and praised by legends such as Asha Bhosle, Shujat represents the enduring power of South Asian musical heritage.
