Sur Sangum Foundation is a Toronto based organization dedicated to building communities through encouraging cultural exchange, promoting traditional and contemporary creative expression and deepening appreciation of the arts and heritage.
‘Sur Sangum’ literally means ‘harmonization of musical notes’. Together we celebrate a commitment to preserving the rich musical and artistic heritage across cultures and fostering interfaith, interracial and multicultural harmony.
To date, the organization has presented more than 80 emerging and established musicians, instrumentalists and performing artists at concerts, festivals and private events.
About Us
Founder & Artistic Director
Junaid Zuberi's passion for music, poetry and performing arts goes back to his childhood days when he used to watch maestros performing on Pakistan Television in awe and admiration. Later his association with various organizations including Sampurna, Tehzeeb Foundation, Mauseqar and Tehrik-e-Niswan in Karachi fostered this love and groomed Junaid in the art of curation. He laid the foundations of Sur Sangum in 2013 soon after moving to Canada. His work is known for blurring the line between geography, community and music. Junaid has organized classical programmes with artists and musicians from South & Central Asia, North America and Europe.
The Journey
Sur Sangum began as an online forum to bring music practitioners and enthusiasts on a single platform allowing them to not only share music but also exchange notes, have conversations and discussions and thus strike new friendships and bonds. In 2015, the group went live for the first time in Toronto by organizing a private musical evening. It was a well-received event featuring performances by local musicians and vocalists. Sur Sangam Foundation was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 2017. The organization is a cultural melting pot bringing a rich roster of musicians, performing artists, authors and poets to diverse and dynamic audiences.
Creative Expressions
Music
Dance
Films
Devotional presentations
Poetry & Literature
Theatre & Drama
Spoken Word
@sursangum
Board of Directors
ATIQUE AZAD
Connoisseur of classical and sufi music, Azad is a retired restauranteur who ran Butler’s Pantry in Mirvish village for 25 years. Currently serving as Chairman of Canadian Institute of Sufi Studies. An avid art enthusiast and promoter.
JASMINE SAWANT
Theatre practitioner; seasoned actor, producer and director. Co-founder and Artistic Director Sawitri Theatre. Recipient of 2016 Martys Award for Established Theatre Arts. Member Playwrights Guild of Canada and the Mississauga Writers Group.
MIKE ANKLEWICZ
Musician and music educator. Saxophone and Clarinet player who performs from classical to jazz to klezmer to avant-garde. Bandleader KlezFactor and co-Artistic Director Ensemble Topaz, a music and dance group. Faculty member Royal Conservatory of Music.
NAVEED SIDDIQUI
Business and Corporate consultant, strategist and coach with expertise in franchise, mergers and acquisitions besides small business financing. Franchise owner of an upcoming restaurant chain.
SADAF ZUBERI
Multi-disciplinary professional with international development experience. Associated with charitable / nonprofit sector with focus on financial and grant management. Avid videographer & photographer.
