Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
"I don't want perfect. Perfect is boring.”
In this episode of This Being Human, host Mai Habib chats with Mekaal Hasan, a renowned Pakistani musician to discuss his lifelong journey of connecting the worlds of traditional South Asian music with more contemporary genres like rock, jazz, and fusion.
Growing up in Lahore, Pakistan, Mekaal was heavily influenced by his father, a music critic and a columnist. In 1995, he graduated from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, and returned to Pakistan where he founded the Mekaal Hasan Band in 2001.
Mekaal’s mission is to create music that connects cultures, lifts up other artists, and preserves tradition while redefining what Qawwali music can look like.
*The Museum wishes to thank Nadir and Shabin Mohamed for their founding support of This Being Human.*
*Guest Bio:*
Mekaal Hasan is a Pakistani musician best known for founding the Mekaal Hasan Band and for his recording, audio mixing and production work.
He founded the Mekaal Hasan Band in 2001 to promote traditional music in the modern world. Working alongside top local and international artists, the Mekaal Hasan Band has been praised across the globe as one of the top Sufi rock ensembles.
*Links & Resources:*
This was just one example of Muslim art that sparked curiosity and a great conversation. There is so much more to see at the Aga Khan Museum. Support the Museum's vision to impact lives and contribute to more inclusive and peaceful societies. Go to agakhanmuseum.org to plan your visit or make a donation.
Visit Mekaal Hasan’s website and watch his band youtube.com/user/mekaalhasanband
Mekaal Hasan at the Aga Khan Museum agakhanmuseum.org/bio/mekaal-hasan-band/?srsltid=AfmBOormweYfnwwKFJgZqEJqkdMtOOYXkAzhgR41pa9NstRR_oyX-alK
Why Mekaal Hasan refuses to live in the past images.dawn.com/news/1194847/why-mekaal-hasan-refuses-to-live-in-the-past
*Key Moments*
0:00 Introduction to This Being Human and Mekaal Hasan
2:57 Mekaal’s time at the Berklee College of Music
7:53 Breaking down barriers through music
11:20 The cultural shift between 1990’s Pakistan and today
15:35 Honouring Qawwali legend Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
20:18 Comparing Eastern and Western music and performance styles
25:32 The future of the Mekaal Hasan Band
"I don't want perfect. Perfect is boring.”
In this episode of This Being Human, host Mai Habib chats with Mekaal Hasan, a renowned Pakistani musician to discuss his lifelong journey of connecting the worlds of traditional South Asian music with more contemporary genres like rock, jazz, and fusion.
Growing up in Lahore, Pakistan, Mekaal was heavily influenced by his father, a music critic and a columnist. In 1995, he graduated from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, and returned to Pakistan where he founded the Mekaal Hasan Band in 2001.
Mekaal’s mission is to create music that connects cultures, lifts up other artists, and preserves tradition while redefining what Qawwali music can look like.
*The Museum wishes to thank Nadir and Shabin Mohamed for their founding support of This Being Human.*
*Guest Bio:*
Mekaal Hasan is a Pakistani musician best known for founding the Mekaal Hasan Band and for his recording, audio mixing and production work.
He founded the Mekaal Hasan Band in 2001 to promote traditional music in the modern world. Working alongside top local and international artists, the Mekaal Hasan Band has been praised across the globe as one of the top Sufi rock ensembles.
*Links & Resources:*
This was just one example of Muslim art that sparked curiosity and a great conversation. There is so much more to see at the Aga Khan Museum. Support the Museum's vision to impact lives and contribute to more inclusive and peaceful societies. Go to agakhanmuseum.org to plan your visit or make a donation.
Visit Mekaal Hasan’s website and watch his band youtube.com/user/mekaalhasanband
Mekaal Hasan at the Aga Khan Museum agakhanmuseum.org/bio/mekaal-hasan-band/?srsltid=AfmBOormweYfnwwKFJgZqEJqkdMtOOYXkAzhgR41pa9NstRR_oyX-alK
Why Mekaal Hasan refuses to live in the past images.dawn.com/news/1194847/why-mekaal-hasan-refuses-to-live-in-the-past
*Key Moments*
0:00 Introduction to This Being Human and Mekaal Hasan
2:57 Mekaal’s time at the Berklee College of Music
7:53 Breaking down barriers through music
11:20 The cultural shift between 1990’s Pakistan and today
15:35 Honouring Qawwali legend Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
20:18 Comparing Eastern and Western music and performance styles
25:32 The future of the Mekaal Hasan Band
