Female Singers and Muslim Tradition in Pakistan from 1947 to the Present

Development of a documentary film that examines the role of secular and religious female singers in Pakistan and their contributions to the musical legacies of the Indo-Pakistani subcontinent.By telling the stories of women singers from Pakistan in our 5-minute trailer and full-length documentary film, we will convey to American audiences the complex and evolving nature of gender, class, and religious issues in Pakistan today, where the struggle for its soul is being waged by religious extremists on the one hand, and by the cultural artists we will be showcasing, on the other. These female artists represent the best hope for a secular and progressive Pakistan, and therefore, their lives and negotiations for recognition in a male-dominated culture must be highlighted, understood and supported by as wide a swathe of audiences as possible in America. Though largely unheralded and neglected in the history books, Pakistani female singers have made a significant, enduring impact on the Indo-Pakistani subcontinent's internationally-renowned musical pantheon.