Music of Pakistan
Music of Pakistan | |
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Genres | |
Specific forms | |
Religious music | |
Traditional music | |
Media and performance | |
Music awards |
Lux Style Awards Hum Awards Pakistan Media Awards |
Music festivals | All Pakistan Music Conference |
Music media | |
Nationalistic and patriotic songs | |
National anthem | Qaumi Taranah |
Regional music | |
Local forms |
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Related areas | |
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Culture of Pakistan |
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Monuments |
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The Music of Pakistan includes diverse elements ranging from music from various parts of South Asia as well as Central Asian, Middle Eastern, and modern-day Western popular music influences. With these multiple influences, a distinctive Pakistani sound has been formed.[1]
Ghazal
In poetry, the ghazal is a poetic form consisting of couplets which share a rhyme and a refrain. Each line must share the same meter. Etymologically, the word literally refers to "the mortal cry of a gazelle". The animal is called Ghizaal, from which the English word gazelles stems, or Kastori haran (where haran refers to deer) in Urdu. Ghazals are traditionally expressions of love, separation and loneliness, for which the gazelle is an appropriate image. A ghazal can thus be understood as a poetic expression of both the pain of loss or separation of the lover and the beauty of love in spite of that pain. The structural requirements of the ghazal are more stringent than those of most poetic forms traditionally written in English. In its style and content it is a genre which has proved capable of an extraordinary variety of expression around its central theme of love and separation between lovers.
The ghazals can be sung both for men and women, as an expression of love/beauty.
The ghazal spread into South Asia in the 12th century under the influence of the new Islamic Sultanate courts and Sufi mystics. Exotic to the region, as is indicated by the very sounds of the name itself when properly pronounced as ġazal. Although the ghazal is most prominently a form of Urdu poetry, today, it has influenced the poetry of many languages. Most Ghazal singers are trained in classical music and sing in either Khyal or Thumri.
Notable composers and performers of Ghazal
- Ahmed Rushdi
- Abida Parveen-Composer and performer
- Amanat Ali Khan- Semi-classical ghazals
- Amjad Bobby-Composer
- Asad Amanat Ali Khan
- Barkat Ali Khan-Composer and performer
- Farida Khanum
- Ghulam Ali-Composer and performer
- Habib Wali Mohammad
- Iqbal Bano
- Khawaja Khurshid Anwar-Composer
- M Ashraf-Composer
- Muhammad ifrahim
- Malika Pukhraj
- Master Abdullah-Composer
- Mehdi Hassan
- Munni Begum
- Naheed Akhtar
- Nayyara Noor
- Noor Jehan
- Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan- Composer and performer
- Rasheed Attre-Composer
- Roshan Ara Begum-Semi-classic ghazals
- Sajjad Ali
- Saif Ullah Baig - Composer and performer
- Tahira Syed
- Tassawar Khanum
- Tina Sani
- Usman Warsi
- Ustad Badar uz Zaman-Semi-classic ghazals
- Waqar Ali- Composer
- Nadeem Salamat-" composer, music teacher, hormoniest ""
- Asrar
Qawwali
Qawwali (Urdu: قوٌالی) is the devotional music of the Chishti Sufis. Qawwali is a vibrant musical tradition that stretches back more than 700 years in India. Originally performed mainly at Sufi shrines throughout the India, it has also gained mainstream popularity. Qawwali music received international exposure through the work of the lateBakhshi Salamat,Aziz Mian, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and sabri brothers, largely due to several releases on the Real World label, followed by live appearances at WOMAD festivals. Listeners, and often artists themselves are transported to a state of wajad, a trance-like state where they feel at one with God, generally considered to be the height of spiritual ecstasy in Sufism. The roots of Qawwali can be traced back to 8th century Persia, however, Qawwali in the form we know it today was essentially created by Amir Khusrau in the late 13th century.
During the first major migration in the 11th century, the musical tradition of Sama migrated to South Asia from Turkey. Rumi and his Mevlana order of Sufism have been the propagators of Sama in Central Asia. Amir Khusrau of the Chisti order of Sufis is credited with fusing the Turkish, Persian, Arabic, and South Asian musical traditions, to create Qawwali as well as the classical music tradition. The word "Sama" is used (or is the preferred name) in Central Asia and Turkey, for forms very similar to Qawwali while in Pakistan, the formal name used for a session of Qawwali is "Mehfil-e-Sama".
Instruments used in Qawwali
- Tabla
- Dholak
- Harmonium
- Rubab (instrument)
- Sitar
- Sarangi
- Guitar
- Violin
- Saxophone
- Drums
- Flute
- Shehnai
- Piano
- Harmonica
- Tanpura
- Ektara *Gharha *Keyboard
- Chimta
- Dhol
- Dafli or Daf
Humnawa in Qawwali
A group of qawwali musicians, called Humnawa in Urdu, typically consists of eight or nine men.Women are usually excluded from traditional Muslim music as ' respectable women' are traditionally prohibited from singing in mixed-gender public gatherings.Traditionally over the centuries,this has been the practice per the general interpretation of Islamic Law by the religious scholars.Although women are encouraged to hold their own 'Women Only' gatherings for reciting religious 'Naats' and holding live dance and music parties with musical instruments on 'Just- Before- Weddings-Mehndi' celebrations.This again,has to be a 'Women Only' event per the long practiced tradition where Islam generally discourages mixed-gender gatherings among unmarried women and unmarried men.In the 20th century, actual practice among Islamic societies,has been that one will see a lot of female musicians and female singers holding public concerts for both men and women.For evidence,one can just read the musician names lists on this page to spot a lot of female names on those lists.
Notable composers and performers in Qawwali
- Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - Shahenshah-e-Qawwali
- Rahat Fateh Ali Khan
- Abida Parveen
- Munshi Raziuddin
- Overload
- Sabri Brothers
- Qawwal Bahauddin
- Ateeq Hussain Khan
- Iqbal Hussain Khan Bandanawazi
- Aziz Mian
Religious forms of music
There is a large number of hamd and naat singers in Pakistan. This is a type of Islamic religious music where poetical verses of the love for God (Allah) is expressed. Some of the most famous artists include Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, along with his nephew Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.There are Sabri Brothers Qawwal,Qawwal Bahauddin Khan from Karachi.
Hamd and Naat
'Hamd' is also used extensively in Christian religious music from Pakistan and all over the world where people from this region are found.'Hamd' is not the exclusive domain of any religion. As pointed out – it denotes praise to God, it is more extensively used in the Muslim world. It is usually used in conjunction with the Sanna and referred to as 'Hamd – o – Sanna'. 'Naat' denotes praise to the prophet Muhammad.
Dafli
The dafli, also popularly known as daf, dappler or tambourine, is a must for weddings. Made of wooden ring with a double row of bells and a playing surface with a 10" diameter, our dafli is a perfect accompaniment to the dholki. The pleasant sound of the dafli will elevate the tempo and mood of all celebrations. Easy to play with no beforehand practice required – with these daflis anyone can add to the music played in weddings and other celebrations.
Classical music of Pakistan
Classical music of Pakistan is based on the traditional music of South Asia which was patronized by various empires that ruled the region and gave birth to several genres of classic music including the Klasik and Hindustani classical music. The classical music of Pakistan has two main principles, ‘sur’ (musical note) and ‘lai’ (rhythm). The systematic organization of musical notes into a scale is known as a raag. The arrangement of rhythm (lai) in a cycle is known as taal. Improvisation plays a major role during a performance.
The major genres of classical music in Pakistan are dhrupad and khayal. Dhrupad is approaching extinction in Pakistan despite vocalists like Ustad Badar uz Zaman, Ustad Hafeez Khan and Ustad Afzal Khan have managed to keep this art form alive. Khayal is the most popular genre of classical music in Pakistan as is also enjoyed with much enthusiasm in Afghanistan.
There are many families from gharanas of classical music who inherited the music from their forefathers and are still performing. Some famous gharanas are: Qwaal Bacha gharana (Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Rahat Fateh Ali khan belongs to this gharana), and Patiala Gharana (Shafaqat Amanat Ali Khan belongs to this gharana). Number of other gharanas are present in Pakistan which serve classical music. Some classical musicians like Ustad Badar uz Zaman do not belong to any famous gharana but has served classical music enormously. The legendary sitar player Mohammad Sharif Khan Poonchhwaley belongs to Poonch gharana of sitar.
Shaukat Hussain, Tari Khan and Tafo Khan have been exponents of classical tabla playing from Pakistan. Talib Hussain was one of the last remaining pakhawaj players of Pakistan and was a recognized practitioner of the Punjab style.
Regional music
Pakistani folk music deals with subjects surrounding daily life in less grandiose terms than the love and emotion usually contained in its traditional and classical counterpart. In Pakistan, each province has its own variation of popular folk music.
Pakistan has created many famous singers in this discipline such as the late Alam Lohar, who was very influential in the period of 1940 until 1979: he created the concept of jugni and this has been a folk song ever since, and he sang heer, sufiana kalaams, mirza, sassi and many more famous folk stories. Other famous folk singers include Sain Zahoor and Alam Lohar from Punjab and Allan Fakir and Mai Bhaghi from Sindh, Akhtar Chanal Zahri from Baluchistan and Zarsanga from North-West Frontier Province who is considered the queen of Pashto folk music.
Balochi music
The music of Balochistan province is very rich and full of varieties due to the many different types of languages which are spoken in the province, including Balochi, Pashto, Brahui, Dari and Saraiki.
Punjabi music
Music from the Punjab province includes many different varieties.
Potohari music
Potohari has a rich tradition of poetry recital accompanied by sitar, ghara, tabla, harmonium and dholak. These poems (potohari sher) are often highly lyrical and somewhat humorous and secular in nature, though religious sher are also recited.
Sindhi music
Music from Sindh province is sung in Sindhi, and is generally performed in either the "Baits" or "Waee" styles.
Notable Sindhi singers
- Allan Faqir
- Ahmed Mughal
- Sarmad Sindhi
- Bhagat Kanwar Ram
- Runa Laila
- Shazia Khushk
- Zarina Baloch
- Shaman Ali Mirali
Kashmiri music
The predominant language found in Pakistan's Northern Areas has an extensive oral history which dates back several thousand years. With the increase in tourism to Pakistan's Northern Areas and increased domestic as well as international awareness of the local folk music, the Shinha folk traditions have managed to stay alive and vibrant. A dardic language with considerable Persian influence is found in Pakistan's Chitral region in the North West of the country. Khowar folk music had considerable patronage particularly during the rule of the Mehtars in the last century. Folk music in this region has remained relatively pure and unscathed by modern influences due to the relative isolation of this district. The arrival of many refugees from the adjacent Nuristan province of Afghanistan and the subsequent increase in commercial activity in Chitrali bazaars allowed this local form of music to flourish in the past few decades.
Saraiki music
Saraiki language is spoken by 13.9 million people in southern Punjab and northern Sindh. Atta Ullah Essa Khelvi Khan is one of the most famous Saraiki singers in Pakistan, hailing from Mianwali.
Pashto music
Pashto music is commonly found in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and in Pakistan's major urban centres such as Karachi, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Sialkot and Multan.Music genres include Tappa, Charbeta, Neemkai, Loba, Shaan and Badala.
Hindko music
Music from Hazara Division is sung in Hindko, and is generally performed in either the Mahiyay or Shaer styles.
Modern music
Pakistani music in the 21st century revitalized itself.
Pop music
Pop music really started in south asian region with the famous playback singer Ahmed Rushdi's song ‘Ko Ko Korina’ in 1966. Composed by Sohail Rana, the song was a blend of 1960s bubblegum pop, rock and roll twist music and Pakistani film music. This genre would later be termed as filmi pop. Paired with Runa Laila, the singer is considered the pioneering father of pop music, mostly hip-hop and disco, in Pakistan.
Following Rushdi's success, Christian bands specialising in jazz started performing at various night clubs and hotel lobbies in Karachi, Hyderabad and Lahore. They would usually sing either famous American jazz hits or cover Rushdi's songs. Rushdi sang playback hits along with Laila until the Bangladesh Liberation War when East Pakistan was declared an independent state. Laila, being a Bengali, decided to leave for the newly independent Bangladesh.
Nazia Hassan in 1981, became the first playback singer to release a pop music album. Her first album was 'Disco Deewane'. The album broke sales records in Pakistan and India and even topped the charts in the West Indies, Latin America and Russia.
Modern pop singers such as Ali Zafar, Hadiqa Kiani, and Atif Aslam have made international waves as well, winning numerous awards and performing in some of the world's most prestigious arenas.
In 2013 Atif Aslam became the first Pakistani pop singer to perform at The O2 Arena London twice[2][3][4] & was also named in 2012 among top performers of Dubai alongside Pitbull, Enrique Iglesias, Il Divo, Gotye, Evanescence & Swedish House Mafia.
Rock music
The rise of rock music in Pakistan began in the 1980s when cassettes first came into Pakistan bringing in a wave of Western Rock Music, particularly groups such as Pink Floyd. Since then the nations music industry has witnessed Groups such as Junoon, Vital Signs, and Noori. The nation has also since then seen the rise of talented and internationally renowned musicians such as Faraz Anwar.
Hip hop music
Pakistani hip hop is a blend of traditional Pakistani musical elements with modern hip hop music.
Filmi music
Pakistan's film industry known as "Lollywood" is based in Lahore and has now extended to Karachi.
Notable film music composers
- Ghulam Ahmed Chishti
- Rasheed Attre
- Khwaja Khurshid Anwar
- Ghulam Haider
- Sohail Rana
- Nisar Bazmi
- Nashad
- Master Abdullah
- Robin Ghosh
- Ustad Tafu
- Wajid Nashad
- M Ashraf
- Zulfiqar Ali
- Kamal Ahmed
- Waqar Ali
- Amjad Bobby
Music journalism
Music journalism in Pakistan has grown over the years.
Producers
Music production seems to have stayed in the shadows in the Pakistan music industry.
- Badar uz Zaman – Originally a Classical singer yet worked a lot in the fusion of old music with new one.
- Mekaal Hasan – a member of the Meekal Hasan Band who has produced songs like "Aadat" for Jal The Band, "Sampooran" and "Andohlan" for his own band.
- Rohail Hyatt – a member of Vital Signs who produced all the Vital Signs albums and albums for various artists like Awaz, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Ali Azmat.
- S.T.T. Productionz - One of the leading Rap, Hip hop, Trance, House and Electronic Music production house. S.T.T. is a certified Audio Engineer qualified from Berklee College of Music and background education from Toronto Canada. His music is mostly catered to international artists based in Pakistan and/or abroad.
- Shani Haider – a film composer and musician from a musical family who is known for his musical approach blending jazz and orchestral music.
- Zeeshan Parwez produces artists.
- Emad ur Rahman - a member of Kaya Band who produced and recorded well known artists /solo and Bands in his High End Studios like "Najam Sheraz","Junoon",Ali Azmat","Zoheb Hassan",Hadika Kiyani","Shafqat Amanat Ali and many more.
See also
- Coke Studio
- Culture of Pakistan
- Filmi pop
- History of Pakistani pop music
- Karachi: The Musical
- List of Pakistani musicians
- List of Pakistani film singers
- List of Pakistani folk singers
- List of Pakistani ghazal singers
- List of Pakistani qawwali singers
- List of Pakistani musical groups
- List of songs about Pakistan
- National Academy of Performing Arts
- Nescafé Basement
- Pakistani hip hop
- Uth Records
References
- ↑ "Ministry of Information, Broadcasting & National Heritage!"., Music and Dances of Pakistan, Musical Instruments of Pakistan, Government of Pakistan,National Heritage Wing website, Retrieved 14 September 2015
- ↑ "Atif Aslam Rocked the O2!". Retrieved 8 May 2012., Retrieved 14 September 2015
- ↑ "Atif Aslam Dhamaka London concert". Retrieved 7 May 2012., Retrieved 14 September 2015
- ↑ "Bollywood Showstoppers Press conference". Retrieved 29 April 2013.,Retrieved 14 September 2015
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Music of Pakistan. |
- (French) Audio clips: Traditional music of Pakistan. Musée d'ethnographie de Genève. Accessed November 25, 2010, Retrieved 14 September 2015
- BBC Radio 3 Audio (45 minutes): The Nizamuddin shrine in Delhi. Accessed November 25, 2010, Retrieved 14 September 2015
- BBC Radio 3 Audio (45 minutes): A mahfil Sufi gathering in Karachi. Accessed November 25, 2010, Retrieved 14 September 2015
- BBC Radio 3 Audio (60 minutes): Music from the Sufi Shrines of Pakistan. Accessed November 25, 2010, Retrieved 14 September 2015
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