The Music of Pakistan
The Islamic Republic of Pakistan has a rich and diverse musical culture. It is located in the northwestern corner of the Indian Subcontinent, and therefore its music has not only been influenced by Hindusutha of North India, but from Iran and Afghanistan as well. Pakistan can be broken up into four separate provinces: Punjab, Sindh, Northwest Frontier, and Balochista. Each of these provinces has its own regional musical traditions and customs, while at the same time all the provinces are surrounded by the national musical traditions, "The Great Tradition1." Throughout Pakistan, the chanting and hymnals of Islam are also very important to the musical identity of the country, however they play a different role than one would assume. Pakistan was established in 1947, as West and East Pakistan, and created out of Northern India where the Muslim majority was firmly rooted2. As in most in most countries, Pakistan draws influence from class distinction, ethnic differences, and religious heritage. Pakistan has been deeply influenced by North India, while each providence had its own unique musical identity. In its fledgling state, Pakistan groped for a national identity to which its populace could rally around. In the eyes o
Daily, musicians sit on the shrine grounds and play their instruments for alms. One type of musical tradition in Punjab comes from the ethnic group. Pakistan is an interesting country in the fact that it has had so many influences, from Northern India to Afghanistan, yet strives in order to create its own musical identity. The Putlivala are a people who specialize in puppeteering. Groups of young men march to the tomb of the saint, some carrying a cloth sheer, while other dance their way to the shrine. It is a dancing of spinning and concentration. Traveling similar to a circus, although not nearly as big, small bands of Putlivala put on performances in villages using borrowed props from the locals. As the politics of Pakistan shifted toward socialism, the government increased its efforts in preserving the regional music traditions of the country. An example of a piece of a Hamd is as follows:Oh Allah, Benevolent One (Allah)Fair and just One (Allah)Divine protector, veiling the believer's sins (Allah)The one and only God of this world, forgiver of sins (Allah)Lord of this world, giver of bountyLord of limitless creationAllah guides through every secret(Oh undying god of eternity)10 Qawwali singing is done at religious gatherings, such as shrines, and on dates corresponding to the death of revered saints. The Sufi sect if the Muslim religion began a tradition of music called qawwali, which is derived from the Arabic word qual or "message," and helped spread the religious message of Islam.
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