Packing up: Lack of interest prompts Gulzar Alam to shut down music academy

PESHAWAR:

If the scourge of militancy in the province was not enough to bring the performing arts industry to its knees, a lack of support from peers and authorities is proving to be the final death knell.

Earlier this month, Pashto folk singer Gulzar Alam decided to close down Awaz Music, his academy and audio studio, in the provincial capital due to the absence of support from musicians and the public.

The 60-year-old musician established Awaz in October 2014. The academy was meant to encourage young people to take lessons in Pashto music classes.

After he established Awaz, Alam was searching for a suitable ustad (teacher). However, very few musicians took an interest in the initiative. Within five months of its existence the idea of setting up an academy had fallen flat on its face.

Speaking to The Express Tribune on Sunday, Alam said the initiative was aimed at preserving Pashto culture. However, the academy failed to generate interest among musicians and the public.

“The fear of militancy will always remain in the minds of the people,” the Pashto singer says. “Even if the threat is eliminated, its aftereffects will continue to loom large and have an adverse impact on art, culture and music.”



According to Alam, this is the second time his plans to start a music academy have backfired on him. “I had set up an academy earlier in my career,” he says. “However, I ended up closing it down.”

No sound of music

Having decided to shelve the project completely, Alam is back to square one.

On March 23, 2012, he received the President’s Award for Pride of Performance for his services in the field of music. Now, exactly three years later, he spends his days at home as there are very few opportunities to pursue a career in music in Peshawar.  However, unlike other musicians, Alam is reluctant to move to another city or leave the country.

“I cannot even think of leaving Peshawar, not under any circumstances,” he says, “I have pursued a career in music in the city for 30 years now.”

“In better times, talented musicians would not have hesitated to support a venture like Awaz,” he explains. “Unfortunately, in these difficult days, they aren’t willing to work to preserve their cultural identity through music.”

Alam has recorded countless songs which have been widely appreciated. He has immortalised the works of many classical Pashto poets through his mellifluous voice. However, all these achievements have been rendered meaningless in these changing times. Musicians no longer enjoy a special place in society and have been forced to live under challenging conditions.

“The K-P Directorate of Culture has fallen into the wrong hands,” he says. “Officials have misused funds and ignored the needs of the musicians in the province.”

However, the Pashto folk singer fears the situation is likely to take a turn for the worst.

“A new censorship bill is being tabled in the K-P Assembly,” he explains. “It seems as though they want to revive policies which were introduced during General Zia’s era. Steps must be taken to protect the interests of musicians.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 23^rd, 2015.