About Pakistan
- Regional Music
These are the different types of traditional
music which are found in specific areas of Pakistan. They
are divided into approximate groups, of which four are listed
here Sindhi, Balochi, Pashto, Punjabi.
Sindhi
Regional Music
Sindhi
music is generally performed in either the “Baits” or “Waee” styles. The Baits style
is vocal music in Sanhoon,
low voice, or Graham,
high voice. Waee music
is instrumental performed in a variety of ways using a string
instrument. Waee is
commonly known as Kafi and
also found in this surrounding areas of Balochistan, Punjab,
and Rajasthan. Common instruments used in Sindhi regional
music include the Yaktaro, Narr,
and Naghara.
Websites
which have Sindhi music available for listening and/or
download include:
www.saslarkana.4t.com
www.sufimusic.org
www.thesindh.com
Balochi
music includes many different forms. Popular instruments
in Balochi music are the sarod, doneli,
and benju. Of special note are Sepad, Shabtagi, Vazbad, Lullaby,
and Zayirak, various melodies which are sung in rituals
after the birth of a child, while lullabies are sung to infants
and children.
Websites
which have Balochi music available for listening and/or
download include:
www.balochonline.com
www.sarbaaz.com
Pashto
Regional Music
Pashto
music is commonly found in the Federally Administered Tribal
Areas of Pakistan. There is a long oral tradition of
Pashto folk music, which includes genres such as the Tappa, Charbeta, Neemkai, Loba, Shaan and Badala.
The Tappa is believed to be one of the oldest forms
of Pashto poetry; it is comprised of two unequal meters,
with the second longer than the first. Charbetta is
the most popular form of poetry, and epic poem which focuses
on heroic figures. The music is often sung at a
fast tempo by two or more singers. Neemakai is type
of folk song normally composed by Pashto women, expressing
a range of issues from daily life. Loba is another form
of Pashto folk song composed as a dramatic dialogue, often
to tell romantic tales. Shaan is a celebratory song
performed at occasion such as marriage and child birth. Although Badala is
a type of Pashto folk music, it is normally sung by professional
musicians. It is an epic poem set to composed music which
is performed with instruments such harmonium, drums and tabla.
Websites
which have Pashto music available for listening and/or
download include:
www.batkhela.com
www.khyber.org
www.mastana.net
The following site contains Pashto music
videos for listening and viewing:
www.hewad.com
Punjabi
Regional Music
Music
from the Punjab province includes many different varieties. The
traditional music utilizes instruments like the dhol, flute, dholak,
and tumbi. The most commonly recognized
form of Punjabi music, bhangra, is music which is based
on the drum rhythms of the dhol, although its
modern popularity has led to the use of many new instruments
and electronic sound sampling in this form.
Websites
which have Punjabi music available for listening and/or
download include:
www.muziq.net/pakistan
www.punjabilok.com/music/pakistan_music.htm
www.shadisongs.com
Some examples of bhangra music specifically
can be found at:
http://www.bhangraomega.com
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