Hallelujah? Christian rock is gaining popularity in Pakistan — under the radar

[chalukya]

Reverend Imam Deen Shahbaz was a convert to Christianity and a pastor appointed by the United Presbyterian Church of North America. In the 1880s he started translating the psalms in to Punjabi and composed a melody for each one based on the local musical traditions of the region. This native form of scripture was an instant success in the Christian community, and those melodies continue to be a staple in Punjabi churches across Pakistan and India today.

It wasn't long before Christians who sang in church crossed into Pakistan's mainstream music scene. Some of the most prominent playback singers during the heyday of Pakistan's commercial film industry were Christians, including S.B. John, Saleem Raza and A. Nayyar.

Hallelujah? Christian rock is gaining popularity in Pakistan — under the radar | Public Radio International