Ustad Mohammad Sarahang (1924-1983) is considered to be the greatest eastern classical singer ever to come from Afghanistan. In musical competitions, he outshone even the most respected masters singers from India. Though not respected much in his home country in his life, he was recognized by Indian and Pakistani masters of music to be an unbelievable artist. Now that his passing as been counted in the decades, he is known as a legendary and unreachable classical musician whose recordings carry the pride of Afghanistan.
Studying in India with Ustad Ashiq Ali Khan, a legendary musician in his own right, Sarahang developed a unique style combining Indian and Afghani influences in a wonderful mixture. Besides this unusual combination of styles, Ustad Sarahang was a lover of the poetry of Bedil, a great Sufi poet (1642-1720) who had not been in the literary spotlight often due to his extremely complex verses. Using Bedil's esoteric poetry and his outstanding training as a singer, Ustad Sarahang has enchanted all of Afghanistan and the whole world with his music till this day with his magnificent recordings:
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Friday, July 15, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Rich Musical Heritage to Outright Music Ban: What Happened?
Watching the documentary Afghan Star, directed by Havana Marking, was akin to my experience of reading Afghan Hearts & Minds by Shafie Ayar: it conjured a pride within me for a country I would otherwise have little association with. I saw the people as they were: impoverished, struggling to claim what dignity and morality they could obtain in such tirelessly immoral circumstances.
As a musician, watching Afghan Star was incredibly eye-opening. In America, we have limited bans on music and dance - to the extent that you could do almost anything. But in Afghanistan, for decades, music and dance had been publicly banned. There were citizens that had underground ways of practicing and playing the music or dance that they loved. But by far, it was inhibited on such a large scale that the country lost much of rich musical heritage.
Afghanistan could name only one man and claim their heritage as rich: Amir Khusro. He was an outstanding poet, musician, philosopher, and composer. He created many musical instruments that we use today all across the world, such as the sitar and tabla. He also fashioned new genres in music, like qawwali, tarana, and khayal - which are all integral to eastern classical music today.
So why, when Afghanistan has had a shining genius of music and art, did they forsake their heritage? Unfortunately, many people translate the Koran in many different ways - each faction using it to advance their own interests. The history of musical accomplishment came tumbling down because of false religious pretexts.
But now, with the rising of liberal media in Afghanistan, I hope that soon will change.
As a musician, watching Afghan Star was incredibly eye-opening. In America, we have limited bans on music and dance - to the extent that you could do almost anything. But in Afghanistan, for decades, music and dance had been publicly banned. There were citizens that had underground ways of practicing and playing the music or dance that they loved. But by far, it was inhibited on such a large scale that the country lost much of rich musical heritage.
Afghanistan could name only one man and claim their heritage as rich: Amir Khusro. He was an outstanding poet, musician, philosopher, and composer. He created many musical instruments that we use today all across the world, such as the sitar and tabla. He also fashioned new genres in music, like qawwali, tarana, and khayal - which are all integral to eastern classical music today.
So why, when Afghanistan has had a shining genius of music and art, did they forsake their heritage? Unfortunately, many people translate the Koran in many different ways - each faction using it to advance their own interests. The history of musical accomplishment came tumbling down because of false religious pretexts.
But now, with the rising of liberal media in Afghanistan, I hope that soon will change.
Amir Khusro - The Artistic Genius of Afghanistan
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)