A few decades ago, no one could have guessed that the Gordon College student who listened to the sound of harmonium and ‘raag’ coming out from the maestro Qazi Zahurul Haq’s recording room would one day author five books on classical music titled Raag Saroop, and lead the 21st century’s classical and semi-classical music march.
The Express Tribune caught up with Ustad Mehfooz Khokhar to get the rising star’s thoughts on the Panj Rang — the country’s maiden addition to the 1,000-years-old tradition of raag.
“Feeling a thirst for music, I pounced on the opportunity to go to Qazi Zahurul Haq’s baithak when my college was observing a strike. I saw a beautiful boy seemingly from a rich Punjabi family entering the baithak who started playing Raag Maalcons, he said.
“Haq explained to him the niceties of sur and the similarities and differences between Raag Maalcons and other raags and how to focus on its ghandaar, dehwut and nekhaad — musical terminology I could not comprehend at the time.
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Amazingly, all the hard work my teacher and I put in has paid off as I’m now a musician, teacher, and author of books on music,” he added.
Later, the affection of Peshawar’s Ustad Inayat Ali Sultani — from Radio Pakistan — and Ustad Abdul Qadir Piarang helped refine his taste in music, revealed Khokhar.
“Entering the musical world did not sit well with my business-oriented family, but it was the most liberating decision that I’ve ever made. My Panj Rang achievement has served as a catharsis. It’s an exciting time for me,” he said.
“Working with different traditional schools of music did not click for me. There were many singers similar to me who gave in, but I didn’t lose heart and continued struggling,” he added.
Talking about folk music, he said, “It’s the fountainhead of all music. Some musicians are mixing Eastern and Western music — I don’t call that folk music. These so-called musicians see no reason why Eastern and Western melody can’t coexist. There is nothing wrong with experimenting if it is within the Eastern tradition.”
On his book Raag Saroop, Khokhar said that the first volume touches the theoretical and practical aspects of classical music.
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“Challenging the traditional 10-thaat system, I’ve given details of how 484 raags can be played from one thaat — 5,040 taans of seven surs are also included in it. In the second volume, I have included 24 taals of five to 17 maatras and 150 bandishain of 59 raags along with notations,” he added.
“In the third volume, I’ve incorporated 150 sargams of 105 raags, of which 100 sargams and seven taals are my own creation. Thirty-two thaats in pictorial form are also included in this volume. In the fourth volume, 34 bandishain are mentioned.
It also contains 78 taranas, which are my own creation, along with five to 22 maatras in several achoob taals along with notations. Six bandishain are in the name of my teacher Ustad Piarang,” he said.
“The fifth volume covers all musical genres including the ones which have become extinct. My most notable contribution to the Pakistani musical tradition is the creation of Panj Rang, which is also incorporated in it.
This edition has come after a long time. Before it, chatrang used to be sung, which was an amalgamation of geet, sargam, tirwat and tarana in the composed form of astai and antara. Now, lakshan has become its fifth element,” he added.
Despite the fact that Khokhar has won over a host of music lovers throughout the region and brought fame to his country — his contribution has yet to be recognised by the government.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 6th, 2013.
COMMENTS (29)
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For the very survival of classical music and its progress and continued growth, with vitality, only youth taking it in greater numbers will ensure the success in achieving the goal and objectives. Thanks to Ustad Mehfooz Khokhar for taking up the music with great commitment and dedication, we have now young and not so young maestros, enthralling the classical music lovers.
Behind all successful musicians, there are guys of exemplary calibre under whose patronage they achieved success. Behind Ustad Mehfooz Khokhar there were some masters like Ustad Piarang. Hats off to all of them.
In Pakistan, there is a vast profusion of folk music which varies according to locality. Though folk songs also follow the same base, classical music requires immense training and practice. It's a good sign it is now being taught in educational institutions.
The classical music has evolved from the creative thinking of the highest order, to improvise and attain perfection, to give the ultimate, intellectual satisfaction. Ustad strictly adheres to the science and art of classical music, delivers total intellectual and emotional satisfaction to both the learned and lay listeners.
I am sure Raag Saroop will contribute to a meaningful exchange of ideas, expertise and resources in the field of classical music and will serve music lovers, students, musicians and teachers of music alike.
The saver of musical heritage -- Ustad Mehfooz Khokhar.
Let me also add my name to to the list of admirers of Ustad Mehfooz Khokhar.
Many congratulations and all the best wishes to Ustad Mehfooz. May God bless him.
Ustad Mehfooz Khokhar has not only fortified the classical music of gharana bastion but also revived some died-out old raags like Khokhar Raag ( not to be confused with family name Khokhar ). His greatest achievement is the documentation of its history and Pakistan’s addition to the age-old raag tradition in the shape of Panj Rang.
Ustad's superior skill, tremendous clarity coupled with a perfectionist approach, gives him a bigger edge over others.
The comments by great names in music like Ustad Shaukat Hussain, Ustad Ghulam Hasan Shagan, Mehdi Hasan, Fareeda Khanum, Ustad Hamid Ali Khan, Ustad Allah Rakha Khan, Ustad Fateh Ali Khan, Ustan Hameed Ali Khan, Ustad Badaruzaman, Ustad Ghulan Haider Khan etc. are enough to testify the caliber of Ustad Mehfooz Khokhar.
Amazing knowledge of classical music as reflected in his series of books Raag Saroop, control and balance in his performance makes Ustad Mehfooz Khokhar an outstanding consistent performer.
Ustad Mehfooz Khokhar's style is a delectable blend of all traditional gharanas with an individual stamp of creativity, spontaneity, and improvisation with power and clarity.
Ustad Mehfooz Khokhar combatred every hurdle and is a well known classical music player and singer today. For him, it has been a hard-won battle in a field traditionally dominated by gharanas. His name today commands as much respect as any prominent gharana musician.
Rhythm in music is perfect cadence and paramount to create a cohesive melody ls proved in Ustad Mehfooz Khokhar dazzling performance marked with profound creativity, tremendous clarity and a fine tonal quality, along with exciting rhythmic improvisations, with spontaneity.
Ustad Mehfooz Khokhar has enhanced the star appeal of classical music. The hard work he has put in, his unwavering dedication has paid off. He has acquired the skills from top class gurus, practiced like one possessed with strong passion.
He has not just shattered the stereotypical image of gharana musicians but has established herself as the country’s only professional who is pushing the dimensions of classical music with his experimentations. Today, Ustad Mehfooz Khokhar’s name commands the greatest respect due to his immense talent and undiluted hard work.
Ustad is harbinger of a musical revolution.
Her performance could well be a benchmark for the new entrants’ foray in the gharana dominated world of classical music.
Ustad Mehfooz Khokhar is just a continuous flow of sound energy making a deep impact on the listeners.
Ustad Mehfooz Khokhar is inspirational to any one looking to make a career for himself in the classical music. He is reigning supreme as the only one emerging as a non-gharana musician advancing the cause of classical music by inventing Panj Rang.
Raag Saroop is an anthology of great vision, essential for any general appreciation of classical music. Ustag Mwehfooz Khokhar is a great exponent of almost all eastern music.
Ustad Mehfooz Khokhar’s association with schools, colleges and universities as a music teacher is no less an important service to the promotion of Pakistani classical music.
Cassical music promotion by Ustad is laudable. Before him no one ever thought of preserving this beautiful art of music.His collaboration with Lok Virsa towards the documentation of music is a work, which will last for ever.
Classical music will survive as long as listeners have an aesthetic sense.A few diehards have taken substantial steps to restore the cultural heritage of classical music. Among them are Shafqat, Ustad Fateh Ali Khan and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Ustad Mehfooz Khokhar, despite the fact that he is not linked to any gharana. It is classical music that we as a nation call our own. Pop music didn't find its first footsteps in the subcontinent, nor did the first guitar or the first set of drums. Introducing blend of modern and classical music by the generation with a classical music heritage can't work for a long time. Ustad Mehfooz Khokhar is right.
Ustad Mehfooz Khokhar's vocal range is just insane. Also, he’s amazing at layering harmonies on top of each other that all sound incredible.I think the expectations from his audience are high, and I am confident he is going to exceed these expectations. He is extremely anxious to get his new material Panj Rang out after getting copyrights. It will be very exciting for all of us.
Ustad Mehfooz Khokhar has represented Pakistan at various forums in UK, Belgium, Denmark, Norway and USA and has become one of the most appreciated and talked about man in the world of music, but he hasn’t had the luxury of a publicist or proper marketing team behind him. His inventive temperament has won over a host of music lovers but his great performance couldn’t garner the kind of praise usually reserved for the government’s award.
I have heard Ustad in America. His vocal expressiveness magnifies the beauty of the notes and his music has impressed audiences everywhere. His artistic versatility is indescribable. Just inviting artists like him and praising his performance is not enough, something more needs to be done to add to the beauty of our classical tradition..Ustad Mehfooz Khokhar has done it.
Ustad Mehfooz Khokhar is a great singer, All music maestros have lauded his performance and endeavors for promotion of classical music. He deserves Pride of Performance.