TEDxKinnaird

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Ali Shahjehan, Ali Sanjrani, Sunny Morris, Shakil

  Folk Instrumentalists

  Ali Shahjehan, Ali Sanjrani, Sunny Morris, and Shakil come together as a collective of folk instrumentalists dedicated to preserving and celebrating Pakistan's rich musical heritage. Blending traditional melodies with masterful instrumental performances, they showcase the diversity of regional folk traditions, keeping centuries-old sounds alive while connecting audiences with the country's cultural roots.

• Barira Khan

  Adventurist motorcyclist, visual artist & traveler

  Barira Khan (@beeingbarira) is a Pakistani adventurist motorcyclist, traveler, and visual artist whose work bridges exploration, art, and storytelling. She studied miniature painting at the National College of Arts (NCA), Lahore, she is recognized for her solo motorcycle journeys across Pakistan, traveling through remote landscapes while challenging conventional perceptions of women’s mobility and public presence. Through both her travels and artistic practice, Barira documents the stories, cultures, and lived realities of places that often go unseen. Her miniature paintings draw from movement, personal experience, and observation, blending traditional techniques with contemporary themes of identity, freedom, and belonging. By combining adventure with artistic expression, Barira represents a new generation of Pakistani women who are redefining boundaries, inspiring curiosity, and expanding the possibilities of what it means to explore, create, and lead.

• Dr. Syrrina Ahsan Haque

  Academic, researcher & thought leader

  Dr. Syrrina Ahsan Haque is an interdisciplinary scholar, educator, and thought leader whose work explores the intersections of knowledge, identity, and critical inquiry. Through her research and academic practice, she examines the underlying structures that shape how individuals understand themselves and the world around them. Committed to challenging assumptions and fostering deeper intellectual engagement, Dr. Haque encourages audiences to move beyond easy answers and embrace thoughtful questioning. Her work bridges disciplines, inviting conversations that connect theory with lived experience and inspire new ways of thinking about identity, culture, and society. As an educator and scholar, she continues to champion critical thinking as a tool for meaningful dialogue, empowering students and audiences alike to approach complex ideas with curiosity, reflection, and intellectual courage.

• Hassan Sheheryar Yasin

  Fashion designer & creative entrepreneur

  Hassan Sheheryar Yasin (HSY) is one of Pakistan’s most celebrated fashion designers, creative entrepreneurs, and television personalities. As the founder of the internationally acclaimed fashion label **HSY**, established in 2000, he has played a defining role in shaping Pakistan’s contemporary fashion industry through his signature bridal couture and luxury formal wear. A graduate of the Pakistan School of Fashion Design, HSY began his career as a fashion choreographer before establishing himself as one of the country’s leading designers. His work is recognized for blending traditional Eastern craftsmanship with modern design, earning him numerous accolades, including multiple Lux Style Awards, and opportunities to showcase Pakistani fashion on prestigious national and international platforms.

• Huzaifa Nizam

  Writer, history researcher & digital storyteller

  Muhammad Huzaifa Nizam, known through his Instagram page **@huztory**, is a Pakistani writer, history researcher, and digital storyteller dedicated to uncovering the overlooked stories of the subcontinent. Originally from the Hindukush region and raised in Peshawar, he explores Pakistan’s rich history, folklore, and cultural heritage through engaging research and storytelling. He is the founder of **Indus Tales**, an online archive where he publishes well-researched articles and discussion threads on topics ranging from ancient civilizations and forgotten kingdoms to folk myths and regional traditions. Through his work, Huzaifa aims to make history more accessible and inspire a deeper appreciation for the diverse narratives that have shaped the region. By combining historical research with digital media, he is helping a new generation reconnect with Pakistan’s cultural roots and rediscover the stories that continue to define its identity.

• Muhammad Faziel Shah

  Musician, Sound Waves Performer

  Muhammad Faziel is the creative force behind the Sound Waves Performance, an immersive audio-visual experience that translates sound into real-time visual patterns. Through the use of a live sound wave visualizer, Faziel bridges the gap between the audible and the visible, transforming voices, tones, and ambient sounds into dynamic visual art. His work explores the hidden dimensions of vibration, frequency, and intensity, inviting audiences to witness the invisible architecture of sound. With a passion for experimental art and sensory experience, Faziel creates performances that challenge perception and deepen our connection to the world around us.

• Noor Zehra Kazim

  Sagar Veena performer & classical music educator

  Noor Zehra Kazim is Pakistan’s foremost Sagar Veena maestro and the only widely recognized master of the rare string instrument invented by her father, Raza Kazim. Through decades of dedication to classical music, she has devoted her career to mastering and preserving the Sagar Veena, an instrument renowned for its expressive, voice-like tonal qualities and distinctive slide technique. As the instrument’s leading performer, Noor Zehra has presented the Sagar Veena at cultural festivals and concert stages across Pakistan and around the world, introducing audiences to its unique sound while celebrating the richness of South Asian classical music. Her performances embody both technical excellence and a deep commitment to artistic tradition.