Pakistan inherits a rich music, which is an amalgamation of Arabic, Persian, Afghani and Indian musical compositions. The basic music remains the classical form, which produced some of the greatest singers of the Indian sub continent, like Ustad Amanat Ali Khan and his family - which has now entered into the third generation. For classical /light classical music, names like Roshan Ara Begum, Ustad Salamat and Nazakat Ali Khan, Ghulam Ali, Farida Khanum, Munni Begum and Tina Sani are worth mentioning.
The religious chores take many shades from Qawwali - wherein a band of singers (locally known as "Qawwals") sing religious poetry. The groups is equipped with traditional Tabla, Harmonium and the tabla beat is joined by
clapping by the secondary group members. Ghulam Farid Sabri qawwals and Aziz
Mian are perhaps the best qawwals Pakistan ever had. However, it was the
music maestro Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
who changed the traditional concept of qawwali, played with the harmonium
and tablas, and incorporated western musical instruments and gave a new dimension to the traditional qawwali. Alas, the internationally renowned maestro did not live long.
Left: Ghulam Farid Sabri Qawwal (Bhar
do Jholi Meri) - Rifht: Aziz Mian Qawal (Teri Soorat)
Qawwals typically consist of a
lead vocalist, two back-up vocalists and any number of percussionists. Qawwalis
are traditionally led by a sheikh and are meant to help the audience realize the
mystical ideals of Sufi Islam. Amir Khusrau is said to have invented qawwali in
the 13th century; the legendary poet and composer is also said to have invented
the tabla (a set of two small drums) and sitar. The idea of music (''sama'')
inspiring an understanding and love for the divine and communication with
spiritual guides is known from at least the 9th century.
Legendary Folk Singers- Left:Faiz Muhammad Baloch
(late) - Right: Alam Lohar (late)
The folk music differs from province to province and can be clearly differentiated, which is embodiment of the true aspirations and culture of that particular province. Some legendry names in folk singing are Inayat Hussain Bhatti, Aalam Lohar,
Faiz Muhammad Baloch, Pathanay Khan, Allan Faqir, Reshman, Abida Perveen, Shazia Khushk and many more. Lately, Aalam Lohar's son Arif Lohar has taken over from where his father left - but legends are legends.
The qawwali and folk music besides, the most popular is the music composed for the songs of our feature films. Although, each province has its own films, but
Urdu and Punjabi songs are widely listened to all across the country.
Some of the great Pakistani singers include the legendary
Noor Jehan, Mala, Mehdi Hassan, Ahmed Rushdi, Runa Laila, Akhlaq Ahmed, Saleem Raza, Firdosi Begum
and Naseem Begum.
Left: Jeevay Pakistan by Shehnaz Begum - Right:
Rang Laye Ga Shaheddon Ka Lahoo (Noor Jahan)
National songs have played an important role in
the history of Pakistan, specially during the wars with India. The 1965
Indo-Pak war brings back nostalgia when melodies of Noor Jahan, Masood Rana,
Inayat Hussain Bhatti, Nasim Begum and many more rasied the morale of the
Pakistan armed Forces. Likewise, in 1971 war Shehnaz Begum's Jeevay Pakistan
and Sohni Dharti were sang along by masses.
Pakistan film industry had some of the finest music directors like Nisar Bazmi, G A Chishti, Khalil Ahmed, Khawaja Khurshid Anwar and Sohail Rana. The musical scores of
Urdu film "Arman" and
Punjabi film "Heer Ranjha" will be long remembered.
The rock and pop music has its inroads in Pakistan as well. Alamgir from Karachi introduced pop in late 70s, closely followed by Shehki. There also
emerged a sweet melodious voice of Nazia Hassan along with her brother Zohaib, who captured the hearts of the entire nation as once the Carpenters did. Nazia sang a number of famous songs - but her life did not allow her time to sing more. Then there was a vacuum for sometime. But now pop and rock are at their best. Janoon group is most famous among the youth.
Left:
Alamgir (The Pioneer of Pop Music in Pakistan) - Right: Nazia Hassan (First
female Pop Singer)
Others soloists like Najam Sheraz,
Faakhir, Ali Haider, Atif, Shehzad Roy and others. After Nazia Hassan, lately Hadiqa Kiyani has
emerged as former's replacement. Her presence gave cue to Fareha Pervez, Humaira Arshad and many to also come forward and take their place on the stage. Now all across the country, rock band and pop singers perform live and display their skills much to the amusement of the youth. One name remains to be mentioned - Abrar ul Haq - who has mainly concentrated on Punjabi songs. His typical style and poetry coupled with patches of recent times make his music unique and popular.
Pakistan’s First Girl Pop Band
Creates Waves
Recently, a Pakistani
all-girl pop band - Zeb and Haniya
- is creating quite a stir with the Pakistani youth. They recently debuted
their first album Chup ("Quiet" in Urdu) much to their delight as it was
hailed by all major Pakistani reviewers. Breaking stereotypes, Zeb and
Haniya are becoming a living and vivid example of how much more there is to
the Pashtun sensibility than the images of gun-toting renegades. Their music
is soft with a lot of blues influence and some eclectic pop flavour. That
may account for all the hype surrounding Zeb and Haniya, Pakistan's first
all-female music band. Despite the growing threat of Talibanisation across
the country, most Pakistanis remain a liberal and tolerant lot. For women it
is another matter altogether - raised eyebrows are the least possible
obstacle. Some have broken the barrier, none more so than the late Nazia
Hassan, who took the sub-continental music scene by storm with her pop music
in the early 1980s. But, like all other professions in the country, music
remains male-dominated. "Pakistani women do face problems and
discrimination, but I think we are strong enough to stand up for ourselves.
"As musicians, I think this is especially clear when people get to know we
are from Pakistan." While the girls work as a team when it comes to the
music, Zeb says Haniya is the main music writer and sings in a few of the
songs on the album. So far they seem to have struck all the right chords as
the praise keeps on coming from the media.
(
Reference )
Salim
Raza has been among the earlier
male playback singers of Pakistan, who during his life time ruled the Urdu
songs of Pakistani music. He sang over two thousand memorable songs for six
hundred movies. Amongst his most popular songs was: "Yaro mujhe ma'af rakho
(saat lakh), of which 100,000 gramophone records were sold and he won a
a silver disc from the EMI recording company in 1960. His other famous songs
include "Jan-e-Baharan, Jab Raat Dhali, Husan ko chand jawani" etcetera.
Few would know that the famous na'at "Shahay
Madina" was originally sung by Saleem. During his later stage
of life, went to Canada, where at the age of 52, he breathed his last in
1983.
Amanat
Ali Khan, a name in classical music never to be
forgotten. He along with his brother Fateh would mesmerize the audience
whenever the duo performed live. He was a true singer and left a rich music
unmatched forever. His "ghazals" and national songs are still being copied
by many new artists. Some of his famous songs include "Inshah jee abh kooch
karo, aa meray piyar ki khusbu, aye watan piyre watan" and many more. His
legacy would always remain. Although, his two sons Asad and Shafqat have been
in singing for quite a long time and have made their own standing, but have
been unable to be a match of their legendry father.
Mehdi Hassan
started his career on 29 June 1956 when he sang for film "Shikar". His rose
to fame when he sang Faiz Ahmed Faiz's ghazal "Guloon main rang bharay"
in 1958. Born in 1935 to Azeem Khan who himself was a great musician, he
started singing at the age of six. Thereafter he sang on till very recently
when he discontinued due to his illness. He had been awarded with the
President's Pride of Performance award.
Noor Jehan
- a legend not to be forgotten for her melodious voice and contribution to
music in Pakistan, A few words her cannot would be injustice to her.
Read exclusive page on her.
Pakistan inherits a rich music, which is an amalgamation of Arabic, Persian, Afghani and Indian musical compositions. The basic music remains the classical form, which produced some of the greatest singers of the Indian sub continent, like Ustad Amanat Ali Khan and his family - which has now entered into the third generation. For classical /light classical music, names like Roshan Ara Begum, Ustad Salamat and Nazakat Ali Khan, Ghulam Ali, Farida Khanum, Munni Begum and Tina Sani are worth mentioning.
Salim
Raza has been among the earlier
male playback singers of Pakistan, who during his life time ruled the Urdu
songs of Pakistani music. He sang over two thousand memorable songs for six
hundred movies. Amongst his most popular songs was: "Yaro mujhe ma'af rakho
(saat lakh), of which 100,000 gramophone records were sold and he won a
a silver disc from the EMI recording company in 1960. His other famous songs
include "Jan-e-Baharan, Jab Raat Dhali, Husan ko chand jawani" etcetera.
Amanat
Ali Khan, a name in classical music never to be
forgotten. He along with his brother Fateh would mesmerize the audience
whenever the duo performed live. He was a true singer and left a rich music
unmatched forever. His "ghazals" and national songs are still being copied
by many new artists. Some of his famous songs include "Inshah jee abh kooch
karo, aa meray piyar ki khusbu, aye watan piyre watan" and many more. His
legacy would always remain. Although, his two sons Asad and Shafqat have been
in singing for quite a long time and have made their own standing, but have
been unable to be a match of their legendry father.
Mehdi Hassan
started his career on 29 June 1956 when he sang for film "Shikar". His rose
to fame when he sang Faiz Ahmed Faiz's ghazal "Guloon main rang bharay"
in 1958. Born in 1935 to Azeem Khan who himself was a great musician, he
started singing at the age of six. Thereafter he sang on till very recently
when he discontinued due to his illness. He had been awarded with the
President's Pride of Performance award. 
Noor Jehan
- a legend not to be forgotten for her melodious voice and contribution to
music in Pakistan, A few words her cannot would be injustice to her.
8 September 2009