AKEEKI (اکھِکی): A Soulful Burushaski Expression of Culture, Reflection, and Unity
On the auspicious occasion of Eid and Nowruz 2026, Digicell International proudly announces the official release of AKEEKI (اکھِکی) — a deeply reflective Burushaski song that brings together poetry, music, and visual storytelling in a powerful cultural expression.
Written by acclaimed poet Sardar Ali Khamosh and performed by Saagari, who also composed the music, AKEEKI is rooted in the rich oral traditions of the Burusho people of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. The title, meaning “come,” serves as a spiritual invitation — encouraging listeners to look beyond the visible and reconnect with deeper truths of existence.
The musical composition is elevated by the evocative rubab performance of Adnan Qasim Dikhan, adding a meditative and authentic sonic layer to the piece. The accompanying visuals, directed and edited by Basharat Hussain in collaboration with FAST Films & Video Production, capture the essence of the song through a thoughtful blend of imagery and narrative. The project’s sound has been finely polished through professional mix and mastering by Rafi Studio, ensuring a cohesive and immersive listening experience.
Featuring Saagari and Hassnan Ayoub, the video was filmed across Karachi and the scenic Yasin Valley in Gilgit-Baltistan, further grounding the project in its cultural and geographical roots.
The production has been made possible with the support of Shinisa Pvt Ltd and AdNan Brushoo (CEO, MedLink Analytics LLC), whose contributions have been instrumental in bringing this vision to life.
Lyrics (Burushaski)
بیࣷرُم غوࣷشان اکھِکی
کُھوےࣷ سیࣷس بان اکھِکی
گُیا گُلْچِن یٹےࣷ ییࣷڎ
دوکو ہنساࣷن اکھِکی
اناࣷ ڎھیࣷریࣷم با نوࣷخہ
بوࣷتا ڎھیࣷریࣷم با نوࣷخہ
اڎُم دُوغریࣷساࣷشُو
میࣷن کاࣷ اپآن اکھِکی
ایࣷسپاࣷلُویا بوࣷروࣷندو
ایࣷتہ کھوࣷت بوتن اوࣷہو
نِیاوےࣷ داغشِی بےࣷ
دوکو اُن غان اکھِکی
غَئیݩ بِڎا اپی میࣷڵ
ہُنیࣷ کھوࣷ ڎئی اپی دیࣷڵ
بےࣷ ہیࣷری جا جوُا بان
کھُوئے سیࣷس ژان اکھِکی
نےࣷ ہیࣷن گدیروࣷ سیࣷسیࣷن
گوئݩاࣷ ہیࣷرو سیࣷسیࣷن
سردار جا باࣷ نوختیࣷن
دِمم ساࣷنسان اکھِکی
English Translation
How joyful they seem, the people of this place,
as if their hearts have learned a secret of light.
Yet do not trust the eyes alone—
come, and see with the soul for a single day.
Where do you drift, whispering farewell?
Why do you fade, leaving echoes behind?
There is no one here who cares about me—
no one who asks the questions that matter.
I have lost my ring—
perhaps not of gold, but of meaning.
I searched through the dust of days, yet it did not return to me.
Come—perhaps your hands will find what mine could not.
There are grapes, but no wine to awaken the spirit.
There are seeds in abundance, yet no oil to give them flame.
These people, like me, wander carelessly—
full in form, yet empty within.
A man adrift beyond the bounds of thought,
yet carrying a love time cannot contain.
He cloaks his name in borrowed breath—“Sardar,”
a passing shadow newly come to earth.
Beyond its artistic value, AKEEKI carries a message that resonates universally. It reflects on themes of human longing, identity, and the search for meaning in an increasingly complex world. The song is also dedicated as a tribute to those affected by conflicts, particularly in Gaza and Iran, conveying a message of peace, unity, and shared humanity.
AKEEKI (اکھِکی) stands as a significant contribution to the preservation and global appreciation of the Burushaski language and musical heritage, bridging tradition with contemporary artistic expression.
The official music video is now available on Digicell International’s YouTube channel.