Sound of music: New academy to revive Peshawar’s lost melodies

Family of musicians gives a new lease of life to music.

PESHAWAR:

Music came naturally to Waqar Atal, Javed Khan and Zafar Iqrar. Hailing from a family of musicians, the brothers had grown up watching their elders make melodies to earn a living.

Their grandfather, Sammar Khan, played the tabla for Radio Pakistan for many years. In his struggle to make ends meet, he would also repair harmoniums.

Sahib Gul, their maternal uncle, is a musician and composer.

“We were among the only family of musicians in Peshawar,” Atal tells The Express Tribune. “However, only the three of us have taken up music as a profession.”

Quite young, they also shoulder the responsibility of preserving the family name. Nevertheless, the brothers have faced the odds with utmost dedication. Atal, Ustad and Iqrar have left an indelible mark on the Pashto traditional music scene.

At 25, Atal is a rabab player and has won several awards in Afghanistan. His older brother, Javed, is a tabla player while the youngest brother, Iqrar, is a popular vocalist.

According to Atal, musical talent can only be fostered when experts take the initiative to impart skills. “Young musicians should be trained and taught useful skills,” says Atal.

A place to learn

And for this purpose, the brothers established Hunar Studio, a forum to promote music and the performing arts, about two years ago. Recently, they decided to renew their commitment to the cause and now plan to set up a music academy in Peshawar. The venture will be formally inaugurated on December 1.

“We are starting out on a small scale,” says Atal. “My brother Javed teaches eight students how to play the tabla while I am teaching them how to play the rabab.” The new academy provides rabab and other music classes.

“Over the past few years, the music scene in Peshawar has been suffocated by militancy and unrest,” explains Atal. “As a result, musicians face severe financial problems.”

Moreover, the growing instability in the province has damaged the psyche of young people, he adds.“Music will provide them with a much-needed distraction to help weather these difficult and dangerous times,” Atal tells The Express Tribune.

Through this academy, the brothers hope to fill the vacuum and give a new lease of life to the traditional Pashto music scene.

“Back in the day, Radio Pakistan and PTV would provide musicians with a platform to showcase as well as hone their talent,” Atal says, recalling a forgotten era with disappointment. “However, these shows and functions do not take place anymore. We now need a new academy to nurture talent.”

A click away

According to the brothers, the academy will capitalise on digital media.

“We will also teach music online,” adds Atal. “Although setting up a business that promotes music involves a huge risk, we are optimistic about the academy’s success.”

He has already started teaching classes over Skype for people from different parts of the world who want to learn how to play the rabab. A series of instructions are also available for those who want to play the instrument.

Once the number of students at the academy increases, the brothers plan to hire specialists and seasoned musicians to open the portal for learning. Even now, Javed is optimistic about the success of this venture.

“We are trying to keep students focused and motivated,” he says. “They are made to practice for four hours every day and perform before an audience as well.”

According to Javed, the academy will provide some reprieve from the violence and uncertainty which has laid siege to the province.

“Years ago, musicians enjoyed a special position in Peshawar,” he explains. “Some would come from Lahore and hold concerts. But now it has become difficult for them to find work in the city.”

Let the music play

The rabab was once avidly used in classical music in Pakistan. However, as contemporary music took over, the instrument was practically discarded and remains largely unknown among the younger generation.

As a rabab player, Atal is determined to revive its importance in classical music. He teaches students how to the play the instrument to ensure that the skill does not vanish.

“I have come across many young people who are interested in learning how to play the rabab,” Atal explains. “A large number of students have managed to learn the basics because of their love for the instrument.

The rabab instructor advocates the view that only those who appreciate the importance of music can protect it from erasure.

“No one wants to take on music as a profession,” he explains

While Atal does not regret his decision to become a musician, he believes if he is given a second chance, he would opt to become a teacher.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 30^th, 2014.