Soul music: ‘Love for music is not enough to pay the bills’

Artists lament lack of resources, commercialisation of music.

PESHAWAR:

Music, money and freedom is what folk singers were talking about before a performance at the Archives Hall on Monday.

Singers and musicians performed at the hall to celebrate the annual Music Freedom Day at an event titled ‘The right to freedom of artistic and creative expression’.

Musicians told the audience about their daily struggles — saying their love for music was not enough to support their families and also criticised modern musicians for distorting the art.

“Music is an art but not the sort you hear today — that is commercial and does not reflect the singer’s heart or feelings,” said Ustad Nazir Gul. “Music represents our culture and our way of life.” He promised to serve this art as long as possible so as to preserve it in its true and raw form.

Gul asked the government to help singers who are facing problems, adding some could not even pay their medical bills.

Gulab Khan, a famous rabab player, said “Even though music is considered a part of one’s soul, we are unfortunate enough to be associated with this profession as it does not pay the bills.” However, he added the upcoming generation was much more enthusiastic about the art and will take it ahead.

While Wagma, who has won a lot of love and fan following through her folk music over the decades, said “We have no other sources to earn our livelihood. This art is our wealth but its value is running out.”

The artist added that whenever the last player of the sarinda, a Pukhtun musical instrument, dies in the province, this special form of music will die with him.

The poor state of cultural affairs was reflected by a thin audience present in the hall, which, the management said, shows the lack enthusiasm and awareness among people regarding music and culture.

Akbar Hussain, who recently survived a heart attack, performed the famous ghazal ‘Korona ka mo badl di ho qoumuna mo na badli ge’.

Bacha Khan Trust Education Foundation Director Khadim Hussain said when enemies aim to destroy a nation, they attack their arts and culture, adding our singers represent our souls, identity and way of life, and if they fade away we would lose our identity.

He said the few people working to preserve the arts and culture of the province need to be supported by the public.

“If you want life to continue normally you have to maintain cultural activities,” said Mian Iftikhar Hussain, former minister for culture and information. Hussain said the government should be forced to realise that it is their main responsibility to save the region’s culture. He said during the previous government’s tenure, they had taken several steps for promotion of arts and crafts in the province.

A documentary based on the history and importance of Pukhtun music was aired while the traditional Attan dance was also performed on stage.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 4^th, 2014.